The Paddler ezine Issue 50 Autumn/Fall 2019 | Page 76

8 THE HEALING POWER OF PADDLING #ShePaddles Canoeing was a family affair for 38-year-old Emma Kitchen. Her father introduced her to the sport as a child building an open canoe in which they spent many happy holidays paddling around the Lake District and Scotland’s Loch Lomond. Aged 17 she followed in her brother’s footsteps becoming a member of Lower Wharfe Canoe Club where she pursued kayaking. But that was before university life took hold followed by a 21-year hiatus from paddling. Sitting along the bank of a sun-soaked canal, Emma tells us how emerging from an abusive relationship led her to find healing on the water and a new family in her local canoe club. “I saw the freedom as an opportunity to come back to something I love and do something for me,” she says. “To anyone who is thinking about taking up canoeing I would say definitely do it. Find your local club, head down and give it a go. There are a variety of different disciplines so there is bound to be one to suit you. By going to a club you’ll have the support you need to give you the confidence and guide you through your first time on the water.” Emma is now looking forward to getting to know more of the women in her online paddling community by taking part in a clean up event along the Leeds Liverpool canal. “Paddling makes my soul sing. It calms me, it helps me heal. It is like a therapy for me.” “I do all three disciplines now; kayaking, canoeing and SUPing and I’m a member of two clubs, plus an online community! They’re all different but everyone is welcoming and helps each other out.” Emma’s four-year-old son also shares her love of the great outdoors and any opportunity to get on the water. “He can be a little tearaway,” she says, “but once we’re in the canoe he’s often found falling asleep slumped over the buoyancy aids or trickling his hand in the water. Our time paddling really calms him.” Having only started back on the water a year ago, Emma’s confidence has grown so much, she now coaches at Lower Wharfe Canoe Club and is a #ShePaddles ambassador. “I love being able to help others grow their passion and develop their skills too. Find out more about our #ShePaddles community at britishcanoeing.org.uk/ news/2019/shepaddles- spread-the-love.