Meet Christine Hogben, one of our Equality Group Members. She is a member of the Lifelong Paddling Equality Group

Tell us a bit about how you got into paddling?

I started paddling in my early teens with a local canoe club in Tamworth using the pool and local rivers and had a go at kayak salmon racing in the 1980s winning a few medals. Returned to the activity in my early 20s in the mid-1990s when I moved to Scotland and started Canoeing for the first time and gaining personal qualifications (old star awards) enjoying the beautiful lochs and rivers like the Tay, Esk, Islay, Loch Ard and Loch Shiel doing multi-day adventures. I then progressed into coaching and I wanted to support others learning and experiencing the water with the potential for a career in outdoor development. Great role models at this time were Stefan Janaik and Stephen MacDonald. I left my career in the manufacturing industry and worked a couple of summers with Crispin Heath at East Neuk Outdoors where though coaching others in the harbours and local coast I fell in love with sea kayaking as well and played in the surf at St Andrew's. Crispin has continued to be an inspiration and when he is at home he goes for a paddle most days although has very little sight now. Going back into the industry and focusing on my career for about 15 years I had not really been on the water and enjoyed cycling and the mountains. After a few holidays where we did some sea kayak trips in New Zealand, Sweden and a trip with Glenmore Lodge based around the summer Isles and I decided to join the Lothian Sea Kayak Club in Edinburgh and suddenly we were out on the water again. Canoes came back into my life with a trip down parts of the Spey and Tay with an old friend from University although living in a flat in central Edinburgh was not the best for these activities. A move to the Highlands 4 years ago and a house with plenty of space to store boats and dry kit and suddenly I’m back into coaching, I’m part of the Equality groups with The SCA and hoping to volunteer a lot more as I start to cease paid work and move into a different stage of life return to my passion for enjoying the outdoors.

What do you love about paddling?

The people you meet, the opportunity to have lovely experiences in beautiful environments in a relaxed way so you can reconnect with nature and yourself in the moment. Going on adventures in big open spaces, and seeing the wildlife and the land from the water helps put life in perspective and improves my mental health and well-being. Making new friends in the Highlands and exploring ways to support others in water activities gives me a sense of purpose and community. Returning to water sports and feeling familiar with old crafts and skills has been comforting with the opportunity to try new crafts like a SUP and be able to transfer those skills has felt good. The excitement of running a grade 2 / 3 river again in an open boat, learning new skills, and challenging myself with support from others and great coaches has grown my confidence in my late 40s and early 50s during a difficult period of mental health due to peri-menopausal. 

What do you think needs to be done to genuinely make "paddlesport for all"? 

Access to equipment and coaches at an affordable price – cost is a big barrier. Paddle sports are delivered in the local environment so a person does not need to be reliant on a vehicle. Going out into underrepresented communities and working in partnership with other organisations to bring paddle sports to all. This will create role models and build a movement in underrepresented groups. Each club/provider is incentivised/funded to run one event a year that attracts an underrepresented group in their local community to take part. You too could be part of paddle sports for all – lots of small actions create a change.

Why are you passionate about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion?

For me, it is about enabling others to be able to try paddle sports and if it helps them feel good about themselves and their community this will have a positive benefit towards a more equal society and bring a sense of belonging. Improving the sense of well-being in any community can lead to powerful positive change. If you enjoy paddle sports why not get involved and make a difference - join one of the equality groups and be part of creating a sense of belonging in something you are passionate about.