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Stories from the water :
I returned to the UK after 14 years abroad , as a single parent of two young girls ready to restart life and build up my yoga students all over again . Joining the local canoe club was not only affordable but it was my saving grace . www . britishcanoeing . org . uk
Once I found a babysitter I joined the evening club sessions , and I would be back for bedtime with so much energy and enthusiasm my girls would beg me to go out more often ! It was my social , my fitness and opportunity to be outside and recharge .
Longridge Canoe Club near Marlow became my club and early on I was encouraged to race in the K1 & K2 canoe marathon ‘ Hasler ’ series . This gave me a wonderful opportunity to explore the rivers and canals in the South East and really have something to look forward to that was not parenting or work .
Like all growing clubs there was a need for volunteers , so I completed the British Canoeing paddlesports instructor course . We often started our club sessions with some yoga , and I started to introduce others to the wonderful world of paddling . This includes the Chippington family , starting Jeanette ’ s journey to becoming one of the first Paralympic medallists for Paddlesports . She still paddles for Great Britain 12 years later !
Even my future husband , Phil , was taken kayaking on our second date . After a few years Phil made the switch to the SUP after his back issues worsened by the impact of too many hours sitting ; car , office , and long paddles . Within minutes of my first lesson , I declared my love for paddleboarding . It felt like home , being aboard a floating yoga mat ! I was able to take the extra module as a SUP instructor and our two boards quickly multiplied to six . Now I have at least 30 , and a flourishing Paddleboard School and SUP Club based in and around waterways of Maidenhead .
I can still remember that feeling of immense joy and inner peace when I first paddled the Thames back in 2009 and have since been a great advocate for paddlesports .
Over the years my husband and I have both worked up to become paddleboard coaches . One of the most rewarding aspects of having a paddleboard business is the training and employment of our junior assistant paddleboard instructors . It has also created 2nd careers for some adult paddlers . Last year got even more interesting when I started to facilitate the training for yoga teachers to become confident safety conscious certified SUP yoga teachers .