PADDLER 30
Surfing the 12R at HPP . Photo : Tom Clare
PADDLER 30
2 . PADDLE WITH FRIENDS AND PADDLE FOR FUN
The best decision I could have made was to make the rule that I would paddle for fun . I was at a point where I was putting so much pressure on myself to perform on the water that I wasn ’ t even enjoying myself . Enjoying your time on the water is the best thing you can do ! I am now in a place where I enjoy paddling again because I am doing it for fun . I paddle various crafts with as many people as possible and have found my love for white water again . My anxiety has reduced somewhat , and I am gaining back my confidence in a kayak . You can read more about this one here .
3 . JUST DO IT
Sometimes the best decision is to stop thinking and decide . Last year I was debating about whether to book a EuroOpen ticket . EuroOpen is a fun freestyle-focused paddling event held at HPP at the end of summer . I wasn ’ t feeling confident in a playboat at HPP and didn ’ t know if I should go . Ultimately , I was too busy to ( over ) think about it , so I just booked a ticket anyway . I turned up on the weekend , and there was no time to overthink . So I geared up , got on and just paddled .
I then had one of the best weekends of paddling ever . I was fine in my playboat and must have rolled it a dozen times during my freestyle heat . Someone even said to me after there were so impressed with my roles . I competed in every event and had an absolute blast . I ended the weekend with many wonderful memories and even won two medals ! ( One for freestyle kayaking and one for white water SUP ). The
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Euro Open . Photo : Tom Clare
video above is from the inflatable race . It struck me that if I had allowed myself more time to overthink , I might have talked myself out of going altogether and would have missed out on such an incredible weekend .
I am not saying I don ’ t think things through which need thinking – a rapid which pushed your skillset to its limit , for example . I am saying , stop overthinking things that even you know are overthinking !
FINAL WORDS
Anxiety is a huge barrier to many people , and everyone affected will feel it differently . This article has been very much about my own experiences with anxiety . I suspect those experiences will resonate with some but will also be very different from what others may face . If you struggle with anxiety , on or off the water , don ’ t be afraid to ask for help or talk about it . I used to think everyone felt this way , and it was only through talking that I realised that most people don ’ t . That then helped me to try and find ways to help myself to deal with the anxiety better . Please get in touch if you want to talk . And , as always , happy paddling !
Surfing the 12R at HPP . Photo : Tom Clare