Charlotte Ditchburn
Based in Cumbria , Charlotte took up SUP just 18 months ago . We caught up over zoom to talk about her paddling journey , why she is keen to encourage more people to get involved in improving and campaigning for access to the outdoors and what steps we can all take to support this important cause . Pics : Gemma Scope Photography and Jon Ditchburn
Instagram : @ publicrightsofwayexplorer https :// prowexplorer . com # BigPaddleCleanup
What was your first paddling experience ?
My family and I have always lived in the Lake District , so we have always been pretty outdoorsy , including paddling on the lakes . But our first canoeing experience wasn ’ t the best . We set off , the wind picked up , and we went down to the other end of the lake pretty rapidly ! At that point , my mum and I said , “ We ’ re not paddling back against those ( scary ) waves ,” and sent my poor dad back on foot for the car whilst we sat and had a coffee !
How did you discover SUP ?
My first attempt was just over a year ago . I had moved to Suffolk ( for work ), and my immediate thought was , ‘ I can ’ t paddle down here ! There is nowhere to paddle – where are the lakes ? Where do I go ’? I then discovered a group called the Outdoorsy Type – they organise walks and get-togethers . I mustered up the courage to join them and enjoyed myself . They organised some SUP lessons , and I decided I would give it a go – most of our group had never been on a SUP , so we were all a bit wobbly jelly legged . Within the first two minutes of my being on a board , I ended up in the water ! By the end of the session , I had managed to stand up and paddle , but my legs the next day ! I hadn ’ t realised just how many muscles I do not use , plus I couldn ’ t lift my arms above my shoulders !
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