The PaddlerUK magazine March 2015 issue 1 | Page 9

it so much…

I joined the committee

Mags Duncan, Tracey Sherrington and Morag Brown
developed the plan of an event with women
coaching women, where no one could hide behind
each other (as we all do). The aim was to help each
other reach the next level in their own personal
boating achievements whether that is skill level,
leading or coaching.
A women only event can be off-putting for some
but for others gives the opportunity to really grow
in an environment that is supportive and
understanding. The event offers opportunities to
spend time in this environment and to network with
the best female paddlers in all disciplines, not only
from Scotland but with the best coaches from
across the UK.
As the event has grown so has the skills of everyone
involved in the planning and organising of the event.
Everyone gives their time for free and one outcome
has been to pass on the event to others to develop
longer term.

Karen was one of the women who came along for
the first time in 2014. She had never been to a
symposium, or a women only event. Here is her
story.
2014. The year I decided to take paddling into my
own hands. As the mother of two young paddlers
(boys) I seem to spend half my paddling life
wondering where they are and what they are doing
which means I am not spending nearly as much time
focusing on my own paddling.
What was I going to do to take paddling into my
own hands? One day when I was on my local kayak
clubs forum I spotted a flyer for a women only
weekend. Not only was it a women’s only paddling
event, it was also a multi-discipline event.

ThePaddlerUK 9