PADDLER 64
It provides a safe and supportive environment for women to push themselves and work on skills they might otherwise not be comfortable doing in a mixed group .
PADDLER 64
POSITIVE DIFFERENCE
I know that not everyone agrees with female-only kayaking events , and I myself used to be a little sceptical about whether or not they were needed . However , having been part of quite a few ShePaddles events now , I am fully in support of the positive difference they can make to both the paddlers who attend and female participation in the sport in general . It provides a safe and supportive environment for women to push themselves and work on skills they might otherwise not be comfortable doing in a mixed group .
What was really lovely was meeting many male paddlers over the weekend who were associated with the participants who were taking part in the festival ( university clubs , partners , friends ). All the men I met over the weekend were thrilled that their female associates were involved in the festival and were excited about what they would get out of it . Thank you to all paddlers out there who support women in paddling !
Annette sorted everyone into their groups , and then it was time to get on the water ! So many coaches were involved over the weekend , and each coach had around four paddlers they were working with at a time . The groups worked on different skills or sections of the river , but many groups started at the top of the upper Tryweryn and worked their way down . There were also some groups working on the lower Tryweryn and one group rafting .
It provides a safe and supportive environment for women to push themselves and work on skills they might otherwise not be comfortable doing in a mixed group .
So many amazing moments on the water all weekend ! Photo : Tom Clare
Learning to paddle with the water and not against it is a useful skill for kayaking ! Photo : Tom Clare