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Who are your role models, and who / what keeps you motivated? For motivation, I turn to theorists and podcasts. One of my all-time favourite sports scientists is Dr Alex Lascu. Her writing,‘ From the Thought Garden’( Substack), is always creative and constantly underpinned by ecological dynamics. I regularly tune into the brilliant‘ River Tiger Podcast from Dynamics Coaching’ by Marianne Davies. Craig Morris( until recently part of the coaching team for the British Slalom Olympians) is always refreshingly candid about his coaching journey and the theory he inhabits.
These are but a few examples of practitioners who keep me motivated, challenge my thinking, and inspire my creativity.
If you could capture just one‘ feel good’ moment in your time paddling, which would it be and why? Getting up before dawn, I took my paddleboard down a long, winding, and steep path, and paddled to the centre of a ginormous lake nestled within an ancient volcano. It was incredible to be floating all alone and in complete silence. I can still recall watching the light slowly flickering across the walls of the volcano as the sun rose and eventually blazed with golden light. It was an awe-inspiring( and intimidating) landscape – one of those extraordinary experiences that puts everything into perspective, and I will never forget it.
You look like a very happy and contented woman – what’ s the secret to your good feelings? I use social media as a curated space to share photographs, capture a feeling, a mood, or an essence. For me, images hold extraordinary power; they can stir memory, emotion, or imagination – and I prefer to leave room for the viewer’ s own interpretation.
Do you have any overseas SUP trips / expeditions lined up? I am really interested in micro-adventures, which I am planning to invest more time in over the next few years. Last year, I had such a fun experience using public transport to get to a paddling location. I loved the logistics, challenges and being environmentally friendly. And I would love to extend this to overseas expeditions. Wouldn’ t it be very cool to go to say, Norway, by train with all the gear in your paddleboard bag and then spend a few months exploring by SUP? Now that would be an adventure!
Which paddling locations in the world would be on your bucket list? In an ideal world, somewhere extreme, testing and very cold – near the Arctic Circle would be extraordinary. Equally, it is such a delicate environment, so I rule out using it as a paddling playground.