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I’ve always been passionate about adventures. It
all stemmed from my first wild camping trip, at six
weeks old, with my mother, to a beautiful spot near
Portmeirion. When I was growing up we would
go there for family holidays filled with adventure,
with wild swimming in the sea, climbing trees,
exploring the gwyllt and hiking up mountains. I
was such a water baby and drawn to the water.
I enjoyed the freedom, being close to water and
reconnecting with nature. We camped in beautiful
woodland forest surrounded by wild garlic, saw
kingfishers and deer and the most amazing sunrises
and sunsets. When I returned, I jumped on an ASI
(Academy of Surfing Instructors) course in Portugal to
get my qualifications and I changed my whole outdoor
business around it!
Paddleboarding gives me solitude, freedom to take
time out from the hectic pace of life and time away
from technology. To be able to pause, be present in
the moment and experience wonderful things, such
as seeing porpoise enjoying the tidal race, hanging
out with inquisitive seals, watching fish leap, seeing
elegant jellyfish float by and an abundance of bird
life. Every time I go for a SUP on the sea, lake, canal or
river, I have a totally different experience. I enjoy the
wild elements and paddling in all conditions improves
my skills and experience. I am really wanting to push
myself to see how far I can take SUP.
National Go Canoeing Week is a fantastic
opportunity for paddlers old and new to be
involved in a national campaign. I would encourage
everyone to get out on the water and appreciate
the unique view of nature that being in a boat
or on a SUP can bring. I will be registering my
miles during the week, make sure you do too!
Click here
To learn more about
National Go Canoeing
Week. how you can
get involved and to
register your miles
My passion for educating and inspiring others
about environmental issues sees me actively
involved with the Wildlife Trust in Wales, and
a Regional Rep on Anglesey for Surfers Against
Sewage. It’s crucial we protect our beautiful
oceans, beaches, birds and wildlife from pollution,
in order for others to enjoy them in the future.
I never knew when I was growing up you could make
a career in the outdoors, so ended up working in
London, in creative media. Working long hours, some
days 18 hours! I started to miss home and longed
to be back by the sea, mountains and nature. That’s
when I decided I wanted a better quality of life. I
moved back home, retrained and gained my outdoor
qualifications, now I run an outdoor business, Psyched
Paddleboarding. I guide people paddleboarding to
beautiful places, here in the UK and abroad, linking
hiking to remote mountain lakes and sea journeys.
Basically I love doing what I do now, it’s my real
passion. I love inspiring others to get outside.
My first experience of SUP was when some friends
invited me to join them to cross England, along the
canals, on paddleboards. I joined them from Bristol to
Reading and loved every minute of the adventure.