The police have a long history of encouraging participation in sport to help maintain fitness and health. In a job that involves long, unsociable hours and experiences that can cause both physical and mental health damage, encouraging and facilitating involvement in sport is seen as critical to keeping our cops resilient and motivated.

The Scottish Police Recreational Association (SPRA) has developed various sporting sections over the years but has only just found a route into paddlesports through the Scottish Canoe Association. Working towards affiliation with the SCA has given the newly formed police club Health & Safety structures, networking within the paddling community and pathways for developing paddlers.

The idea to start the section came about following a wellbeing initiative which has introduced police officers affected by PTSD and anxiety to blue health and the mental health benefits of paddling. A unique concept, tagged 'Paddlewell' by the police, links recognised coaching techniques in paddlesports with mental health strategies such as mindfulness, peer-support and cognitive behaviour therapy. Officers who have participated in the Paddlewell sessions have reported massive changes in their ability to positively engage with therapy and, of course, a desire to continue paddling to build mental strength.

The Police Paddle Section extends the Paddlewell concept and opens up the opportunity to build a community of peers who want to share the experience of developing their paddling. All police staff and their families can join the section and already there are 52 members across Scotland linking up and planning sea kayak trips, SUP sessions and river paddling. Existing coaches and leaders have joined up and offered their help and new instructors are being trained to build upon what is already there.

Ali Garrow is a Chief Inspector with Police Scotland. He led the development of Paddlewell and chairs the new Paddle Section. He explains the aims of the club:

‘We are aiming to develop members and provide the capability to coach and support colleagues. We want to create opportunities to engage in regular events and club activities and to take part in activities in partnership with other clubs. The main thing is that we build a community that mirrors the supportive network I have seen in SCA clubs across the country. The mental health benefits are enormous and we can improve our service to the public by becoming more resilient and stronger through paddling.’

While the SPRA Paddle Section is only open to members of staff in Police Scotland, the organisers believe that the concept could be easily replicated by other large corporations who have an interest in supporting the mental health of their staff.