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ShePaddles
Ambassador Saira ’ s tips for paddling in winter
Paddling through autumn and winter with # ShePaddles Ambassador , Saira Is-Haq .
As the nights draw in and the weather starts to turn there ’ s no need to stop paddling or getting outdoors before it gets dark . It can be so rewarding to paddle through autumn and winter , you get to see a kaleidoscope of colour , see migrating birds and enjoy the crisp air . # ShePaddles Ambassador , Saira Is-Haq , shares with us her favourite memories and benefits of keeping active throughout the colder months .
Saira took up paddling seventeen years ago , starting her journey at York Canoe Club . She soon fell in love with kayaking and quickly progressed from a novice paddler to racing in K1 and K2s .
Saira ’ s passion for paddling led her to explore an array of paddling disciplines from white water , to sea kayaking and canoeing . But her love for the outdoors doesn ’ t just stop there . Saira also loves fell running , cycle touring and wild swimming and is an advocate for getting outdoors even during the colder months .
“ I ’ m a female Muslim , with Indian and Pakistani parents , so water sports aren ’ t something people from Asian origins usually enjoy and our parents certainly don ’ t understand the passion for it . The expectations of Muslim Indian / Pakistani women don ’ t ever have to be jeopardised because we love this sport , this was the same for my fell racing and mountain biking passions .”
“ I paddled twice a day every day , being on the water was the only place I wanted to be .” – Saira Is-Haq
Saira www . britishcanoeing . org . uk