ThePADDLER 110
Coach Mer said of the expedition : “ A big step for some of our beginners to paddle this distance ( 10 miles ). It was a real highlight within a very sombre year , and I was delighted to take part . In the end , I felt like we ’ d ticked a big box but with a whole lot more to look forward to . This was just the start .”
Despite a restrictive 2020 , our events led to 256 new and beginner women and girls participating and all achieving their ‘ British Canoeing Paddle Start Award ’. We were later overjoyed to hear that one in two of our participants had signed up to become full ‘ On the Water ’ members of Canoe Wales .
Together , we ’ re changing the statistics , destroying barriers , providing valuable quality opportunities , inspiring ladies to realise their dreams , promoting selfbelief , empowerment and , right now and perhaps most importantly – boosting each other ’ s positive mental health and all through our love of paddlesport .
We ’ re busy behind the scenes at team # ShePaddlesCymru to provide ( Covid-19 permitting ) an even bigger 2021 with national and regional approaches with even more events , opportunities , disciplines , and training more females to take part and help progress them on their paddlesport journeys . We gained some fantastic volunteers who we ’ re investing in by providing training towards their awards and qualifications .
# SHEPADDLES HAS TO BE EXPERIENCED TO BE BELIEVED
For me , I ’ m having so much fun in my role that it ’ s become bigger and more rewarding than I ever could have imagined . For quite a quiet and private individual , I ’ ve done a lot of public speaking , written guest blogs and magazine articles . I get recognised a lot and have had some incredible experiences that have pushed my boundaries , such as being interviewed live on ITV and at the Kendal Mountain Festival . It ’ s all amazing , and I love every minute of it !
There ’ s been so many smiles and gut-wrenching bouts of laughter that have made for some truly unforgettable memories and some fantastic road trips to incredibly jaw-droppingly beautiful locations . It ’ s such an honour and so fulfilling working as part of an enthusiastic , passionate , positive and motivated # ShePaddlesCymru and Canoe Wales team and for British Canoeing as a whole . To me , we ’ re one giant force , loving our hobby out in the great outdoors and , together , as empowered women , we ’ re taking on the world !
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