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Inclusive Paddleboarding with Will Behenna
Photo : Will Behenna
One of the goals of this column is to tell stories of people working towards making SUP more inclusive , and it was a joy to learn more about Will Behenna from Inclusive Paddleboarding . Will is a paddleboarder , designer , and counsellor with a passion for inclusion . He is a full-time wheelchair user after a spinal injury sustained 36 years ago .
Will designs and builds a range of seats , kneeling supports and adapted paddle systems to enable
I am always interested in researching how SUP can enhance our mental wellbeing and how we might find ways to help others benefit from this . I was thrilled to discover University of Cumbria occupational therapist and researcher Sara Jayne Kennedy ’ s work exploring experiences of SUP and the impact paddling within a group has on mental health and wellbeing .
The study ’ s objectives were to investigate how much the participants took part in paddleboarding , what that meant to them
people who have difficulty or cannot stand to go paddleboarding . He also offers advice and support alongside the equipment .
I asked Will where his passion for the work comes from . “ I love being on the water ; it ’ s energising and therapeutic , and paddleboarding , plus my seat , enables me to do this independently . I ’ ve also found the paddleboarding community so supportive and inclusive . I want to empower people who may have been excluded from
watersports in the past to experience this amazing outdoor activity .”
Will has received funding from PaddleUK and Sport England to develop the equipment and is now running a project in Poole Harbour to get people with disabilities , physical and mental health conditions paddleboarding . He is also working with the NHS locally , creating a referral scheme , and Surfability in Swansea .
Blue Space research
Photo : Sarah Thornely
After two years of hard work , Will is now selling the seats and kneeling supports through his website . He also wants to create a national network of inclusive paddleboarding organisations and instructors . I wish him all the very best .
To find out more go to @ inclusivepaddleboarding on Instagram , www . inclusivepaddleboarding . co . uk , or email Will at will @ inclusivepaddleboarding . co . uk .
and to identify factors that impacted their engagement , mental health and wellbeing .
Five adults participated in the study and were active SUP group members for at least six months . Data was collected through semi-structured interviews , which were recorded and analysed .
Three themes emerged : how participants managed their mental health , environmental influences and social connections .
The research findings demonstrated that group and individual SUP participation positively enhanced individuals ’ psychosocial health and mental wellbeing . Participants experienced enhanced social relationships , reduced stress levels and were better able to manage mental health symptoms and fulfil their roles in life . The research also found that being in a natural environment allowed individuals to have a sensory experience , which positively affected their health and wellbeing . The social connection SUP provided was also important for the participants .
Future research could explore the potential barriers to SUP and identify ways to increase the accessibility of SUP for others .
Len ’ s incredible River Wye Challenge
Congratulations to Len Liddell from Stourbridge , who , aged 11 , has just completed an amazing fundraising challenge with his father , Duncan , after taking up SUP in 2020 .
On 1st July , Len finished a 100-km paddle down the River Wye , raising funds for a kids ’ club , Tumble Downs , which provides a space for children with additional needs . Len was diagnosed as autistic when he was six , and the club has made a positive difference in his life .
In an article for the BBC , his father Duncan explained , “ Tumble Downs is a place where Len can be himself and have fun . He hasn ’ t got to worry about what people think about him being too noisy . The club is struggling , and fundraising will make a huge difference in keeping those smiles going for kids who use it .”
Duncan also explained that the club helps parents like himself share their experiences .
Len began SUP in 2020 at Chelmarsh Sailing Club in Bridgnorth , Shropshire . During lockdown , he struggled with the lack of routine and contact with others . About 15 paddleboarders turned up to help , which Duncan described as a magical day .
Talking about the challenge , Duncan explained that they were long days on the water , which would test the best of paddlers , but Len ‘ absolutely smashed it ’. He also wanted to emphasise the support from the team with them was invaluable .
Len himself told me , “ It was very hard , but my friends kept me going all the way down . I didn ’ t want to stop at the end , I wanted to keep paddling .” What a star !
Find out more at : www . peoplesfundraising . com and look up Len ’ s Big Paddle . Also see page 45 of this magazine in the Paddle UK section .
Photo : Duncan Liddell
This could also highlight a potential role for occupational therapists like Sara Jayne in offering SUP as a meaningful , cost-effective way to benefit mental health and wellbeing as part of social prescribing blue space activities . How wonderful !
For more information , go to : @ waterbabe _ s