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Bringing the vision to life
Step one was locking in Danny for the workshop, which proved trickier than anticipated – finding a date that suited all instructors was a challenge. We settled on May 15th, balancing availability and hoping for decent weather. Bethphage was incredibly supportive, spreading the word and preparing volunteers to attend. Their biggest concern? Too much interest and not enough space!
As the months passed, plans took shape. Equipment arrived, instructor slots filled, and even non-club members were invited – after all, the workshop’ s benefits should reach as many people as possible. Everything was coming together until a last-minute complication: a 26-mile road diversion, announced just days before the event! A frantic call to the council revealed a silver lining – the road closure was only between 10.00 and 16.00, so as long as everyone arrived early, we’ d be fine.
An unforgettable day
When the morning of Chelmarsh Inclusive Paddle Day finally arrived, the weather was flawless. Danny found his way from Yorkshire to Chelmarsh. All instructors arrived before the road closure, and the workshop started.
The morning session saw instructors learn from Danny’ s expertise, explore adaptive equipment, and share stories of past successes in inclusive paddling. Just as we absorbed our new knowledge, the Bethphage paddlers arrived – it was time to put theory into practice.
With a two-to-one instructor-to-paddler ratio, we worked closely with each participant. As the day unfolded, learning wasn’ t just happening on our side. Bethphage staff shared valuable insights on their clients’ needs, allowing us to refine our approach further.
The afternoon was defined by smiles, laughter, and a few joyful splashes. By the end, every novice paddler had mastered standing on the board and moving confidently across the water. We wrapped up at 16.00, exhausted but elated, knowing this was just the beginning.
Demand for another event is growing, and Bethphage has a list of eager paddlers waiting for their chance to hit the water.
This experience has reinforced a powerful truth – SUP is for everyone. The Paddle UK grant made it possible, but the real magic came from the people – the paddlers, instructors, and volunteers – who turned a vision into a transformative, unforgettable day.