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# ShePaddles Conference
As British Canoeing ’ s long-standing initiative to improve the representation of women and girls in paddling , # ShePaddles has supported an increase in the representation of women and girls in the paddling community . The Championships played host to a new # ShePaddles Conference , where # ShePaddles Ambassadors , club champions , staff and athletes came together to share best practice , insights and inspire women and girls to grow their confidence , shift their perspectives , overcome barriers or challenges and showcase the power of being out on the water .
Rebecca Edwards , 2022 / 23 # ShePaddles Ambassador ran a session about doing something for the first time . Everyone stood up and they could only sit down when they got the question right . The last one was told they were going to sing a song . But to everyone ’ s relief it didn ’ t happen . The activity was designed to show how anxious , or embarrassed , a person might feel doing something for the first time .
“ All those mixed emotions are exactly how you feel , especially as a woman , when you walk into a place for the first time . I run a boating lake and the women who come are so scared of getting on the water . It ’ s really important for me to learn those feelings and cut them out . That ’ s how you get women and young girls into sport .”
The conference facilitated the sharing of learnings and reflections on how everyone can make paddling a more welcoming and inclusive space for all women and girls , and aimed to provide attendees with role models and journeys that more accurately reflect their lived experience .
Trails and Environment
British Canoeing ’ s campaign work around access and the environment is a cornerstone of our organisational commitments , and the Championships has provided a key opportunity to continue to embed this work . British Canoeing has been working to create more accessible blue spaces in the waterways around the Lee Valley White Water Centre , via the development of the new River Lee Navigation Trail , and engaging with a new cohort of volunteers to support with river clean ups and tackling Invasive Non Native Species ( INNS ).
British Canoeing ’ s project aimed to engage with a minimum of four clubs active along the River Lee , equipping them with river clean up equipment , and running events focussing on tackling INNS such as Floating Pennywort . These events aimed to engage with new volunteers who are members of the local community surrounding the River Lee , and create a sustainable commitment to maintaining local blue spaces into the future . All of these efforts will ensure that the River Lee Navigation Trail remains free of litter and INNS , so that more people from the community can access and benefit from the blue space that is local to them .
Canoe Focus Late Summer 2023