Bethan Radcliffe (Female Equality Group)

I've been paddling for over 10 years and have moved across multiple disciplines, from marathon and sprint to whitewater and now polo. It's always been my go-to way to find a community when moving around the country! I began playing canoe polo at Dundee University and I currently play with the Titans Canoe Club where I'm proud to be Captain of the Valkyries, Scotland's first women's polo team since the pandemic. I'd love to take my enthusiasm and help support women across all aspects of watersports, reaching out and developing female-friendly spaces within which the sport can thrive.

Jodie Burgess (Accessible Paddling & Mental Health and Wellbeing Equality Groups)

Hi, I'm Jodie, and I'm passionate about paddle boarding!!! I've been paddle boarding for over three years on sea and lochs. 

I am qualified paddlesport instructor and love the sense of freedom and connection to nature it brings, I own and run Sea Beyond in North Berwick where we deliver a range of water activities for all abilities and all ages. I've also worked in the care industry for 10 years and worked with individuals struggling with a variety of physical and mental health issues. I  believe that spending time in and on the water can be incredibly therapeutic, and often incorporating outdoor activities like paddle sports can give real health benefits. I'm dedicated to helping others  by combining my paddling  and care knowledge to deliver equality accessible paddle sports that are fun and enjoyable.

Andrew Bunting (Accessible Paddling and Young Persons Equality Groups)

I was introduced to paddling by my older brother who is autistic, seeing him come back talking so enthusiastically and passionately after a couple of sessions made me want to try it… 

This sport has taken me to some amazing places, with crossings to Ailsa Craig, a circumnavigation of Bute, Raasay and Rona, Canna and Rhum as well as a camp on Eilean Mòr of the MacCormaig Isles.

This sport supplied an escape for me as a way of dealing with my dad’s passing.  I am hoping to develop my passion for kayaking and the outdoors into a career; after getting my paddlesport leader and instructor certificates, I was able to get sessional work with local businesses and I coach for my club. After all this I feel incredibly grateful and want to give back to the sport that gave me so much by getting more young people involved and making it more accessible.

Anouska (Noush) Duffy (Mental Health and Wellbeing Equality Group)

Hi, I’m Noush and I love playing on and in the water having grown up near the coast.  I love being on the SUP due to its versatility and accessibility.  Stand Up Paddleboarding has given / gives me the opportunity to see things from alternative perspectives, connect with diverse places and people, and build my confidence in different environments.  I’m delighted it has become recognised in British Canoeing. 

I started working in Outdoor Education after a life changing event when I, myself, discovered the positive effects of being with and active in nature and the outdoors.  This led me to working with people from complex and difficult backgrounds, supporting them with their personal development utilising outdoor environments and activities.  I primarily focus on intersectionality and unconscious bias in the outdoors and how this affects access to outdoor and adventurous activities.

I joined the Mental Health and Wellbeing Equality group because we all have mental (and physical) health.  Research demonstrates, however, that stigmatisation and prejudice have significant impact on one’s mental wellbeing, therefore I am keen to support and collaborate with other groups and organisations to engage and take action in reducing stigma, discrimination, and prejudice. 

Rhodri Herapath (Young Persons Equality Group)

I was introduced to the SCA Young Person's Equality Group through the Young Ambassadors scheme, and being one of the older Young Ambassadors, thought this would be the perfect opportunity for me to continue to help get young people into paddlesports. I think in Scotland we are very lucky to have the opportunity to provide any discipline to a strong degree whether it be (among others) surf, whitewater, sea kayaking/ocean racing, touring, slalom or polo. It is important to get more young people hooked so they can be the best they can be as they progress!

Emily Bowie (Mental Health and Wellbeing & Female Equality Groups) 

I started whitewater kayaking as part of my University club in 2017, and enjoyed exploring rivers in Scotland and the Alps. These days I prefer more slow moving water and lochs! Kayaking has provided me with many opportunities for personal development, and I am excited to be part of the equality groups so that I can help to make kayaking and watersports accessible to all, so that everyone has access to the opportunity to participate, regardless of their background, gender, race, or any other factors.

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Interested in joining any of the SCA Equality Groups? 

If you are passionate about supporting equality, diversity and Inclusion we need you! We are always looking for new people to join our seven groups and support our equality work:

Accessibility Equality Group 

Ethnicity Equality Group 

Female Equality Group

LGBTQ+ Equality Group 

Lifelong Equality Group

Mental Health and Wellbeing Equality Group 

Young Persons Equality Group

Each group meets five times a year (online evening meetings) and there are lots of other exciting projects to get involved in. Get in touch with us at equality@canoescotland.org if you are interested.