#shepaddles is a UK initiative delivered in partnership with British Canoeing. Now in its fourth year, 10 ambassadors have been selected across Scotland since it started, with our new team of four just getting started.
These inspirational women are pivotal in promoting paddlesport and encouraging more women and girls to get out on the water through connecting with their communities and through individual activities in areas where they feel passionate.
The #shepaddles programme aims to create an opportunity for women to share their passion for paddling, supporting their voice within the paddlesports community and helping them establish themselves as a role model for other women.
A
big thank you to our outgoing
2023 #shepaddles ambassadors: Claire, Savanna & Lauren
Here are our new ambassadors and what they have to say:
Jade Anderson
I’m 25, a mum to a 7 year old boy and during one of the lockdowns I was reintroduced to paddlesports after taking part in a personal development programme run by the wonderful Venture Scotland. The water became my safe space again after so many years. It’s where I can take the mask off and just be myself. I then went on to spend the last two years studying Outdoor Pursuits & Adventure Leadership at Edinburgh College where I was supported and encouraged to gain my FSRT, SUP Leader and Paddlesport Instructor qualifications.
I also volunteer with the local archery club after gaining my Archery Instructor qualification and have recently started volunteering with Beyond Boundaries East Lothian with their cycle and paddlesport sessions. I’m keen to keep growing and gaining experience and knowledge, my end goal would be to have my own charity where I can offer subsidised or free sessions, to be all inclusive and to promote females in the sport. I would like the support and guidance of the SCA to do this!
Niamh Lee
I took up paddleboarding over lockdown as I found it was the perfect socially distanced activity. As an active individual and lover of the outdoors, like many others I struggled with the restrictive nature of a post-covid world. I instantly felt a boost to my mental health and wellbeing, and this helped forge an unrivalled connection with the sport. I have always had an ambitious and driven nature but a negative side to this is I find it almost impossible to “switch off” or clear the buzz from my head. Being out on the water is one of the rare occasions I find peace and am able to focus solely on the task at hand. I have met some amazing people within the paddling community and my overarching mission is to help drive forward paddlesport accessibility for all to share and showcase the benefits I’ve experienced.
My main motivation is to help encourage, motivate and support more females to get into paddling as too often I’ve been faced with comments around the barriers women face. I am keen to break down misconceptions and remove these barriers to make the sport as inclusive and diverse as possible. I want to share my love, passion, knowledge and skill set in order to develop a strong set of female paddlers who above all have fun on the water!
I’m excited to develop the work I have started earlier this year running a ‘SheSUPs’ course and am particularly interested in tackling the barriers around body confidence and physical ability.
Hannah Moore
I love meeting new people and hearing about their adventures, as paddling can be exciting, sociable and relaxing. I started paddling with my local club ten years ago and I have since seen many amazing places on rivers and at sea, but there are many more places I would love to explore. I hope to help more women and girls start and continue paddling. However, I remember the challenge of starting my period and struggling with the lack of toilets and changing facilities and this is something I would like to address. I would also like to work with other sports to create an event or resource which helps women become more confident in their coaching and leadership journey.
Julie Partridge
My heart lies on the coast and SUP surf and coastal excursions give me the biggest smiles. I love the variety that paddling brings to my enjoyment of the outdoors. There’s a craft and environment for every occasion and the inclusion opportunities that offers is something I am so keen to utilise to help get more LGBTQ women and non-binary people out on the water. I also want to share my knowledge and experience on the coast to help empower women to undertake their own journeys safely and confidently.