We are delighted to announce our team of 16 new SCA Young Ambassadors, a diverse team of young people who are passionate about paddlesport!

Each Ambassador is committed to shaping paddlesport so it better supports young people and to inspire other young people in the sport. It’s a two year programme, with things kicking off at Grandtully in September, with a weekend of paddling, team building, planning and sharing ideas. 

Read on to meet the crew!

1. Aiden, Age 12
   

2. Ailsa,  Age 19

'I started Kayaking at University, and in the one year that I have been introduced to it has been so wonderful! I'd love to improve my skills, and get more people involves. I'm personally very interested in increasing accessibility and exposure, especially to those outside of the 'Kayaking Community'- helping people explore and understand the diversity of the sport. It's a difficult sport to get into especially with regard to transport, and I'd like to help more people access the sport tangibly'.

3. Andrew

'I’m predominately a Sea Kayaker and have been for 3 years with my local club, I kayaked around Bute from Arran last summer with a friend and I have various trips upcoming to Ailsa Craig, Small Isles, Skye, and Anglesey. My future hopes are in 2024 to kayak round Scotland in one expedition, as well as kayaking in New Zealand, Greenland and Iceland, get further qualifications to give back to the club and wider paddling community.

Making paddlesport more accessible to young people around the country would be a project that I’d like to be part of because I know of the many benefits water and being outdoors can supply to people my age for instance it can help people’s mental health or physical health or both! '

4. Ava

'I love the freedom being on the water gives you, and I also like the social aspect of paddling, getting to speak to others and hear about there experiences on the water. I also love the inclusivity of paddling and the people involved. Everyone is always happy to help and does not judge you for your ability, gender or age. In the future I would like to advance my abilites in the sea as well as adventuring other locations and settings and I would also like to go down the coaching and leading route once I am able and old enough starting with paddle sport instructor.'

5. Brandon,  Age 17

'I personally would like to take a group of Young People for a week and teach kayak and Paddle Boarding skills. Just let them have the freedom and maybe take them to a different river each day. I want to be an Instructor and get my raft guide and help kids get the paddle skills and not have a fear of the water.'

6. Hannah

'It is very important to investigate retaining young people, especially girls. Fewer girls join in the early stages and they are often more likely to leave, so they don’t reach the leadership stages. Until going to university I had never met another girl my age who was a keen kayaker. Also, on most paddling courses there are rarely other young people or women. This means there is a lack of female role models for girls to look up to. Something that puts many girls off paddlesports is having your period which makes it difficult for some girls to attend sessions or fully participate as there is the risk you might capsize as well as a lack of changing and toilet facilities. '

8. Kamron,  Age 15

'The first time I set foot in a Kayak, I knew this was the sport I wanted to do. I love the adrenaline rush of sitting at the top of a rapid, which is why I love white water kayaking and sea kayaking. I did the core coach training, and I look forward to getting as many qualifications as I can. I believe all young people should have the opportunity to participate in paddlesport, especially financially disadvantaged young people. I would love to get more young people involved and would really appreciate the diversity of it all'

9. Katharine

'I know the satisfaction that I get from paddling, so I want to share this enthusiasm with others. Through my experience, I know the benefits of paddling and would like to bring that to other people who have a care background, and give them direction and show them that there is different ways to get rid of emotion on the water and try to build a community of like minded people so that we all have someone we can talk to. I know that there was recently a women specific simposium and it would be a positive thing to have a young people specific symposium.'

11. Rhodri, Age 19

' I love the intimacy with nature (we see many seals, porpoises, birds ,dolphins and if we are lucky, basking sharks too!), the various health benefits of paddle sports (physical and mental) and the opportunities that come with it. Currently in Scotland, many paddle sports are in a great position in that we have so many courses and schemes that produce coaches who can really relate to younger people, exploit their strengths and therefore promote a positive mindset to make them want to continue paddling. In my opinion, this is not the largest problem facing us. However, paddling is a significant investment in both time and money and this is something I have personally grappled with over my own paddling 'career'. Money and time are two things younger people often lack. In order to tap into the multitudes of benefits we all know paddle sports really do have the potential to provide, monetary barriers must be broken down.'

12.Roban, Age 15

'My location makes paddlesports accessible for me.  However, Young People in other areas of Scotland don't have the same luxury.  So, possibly offering paddlesports summer camps for example would also bring new people to the sport.  I am going to Loch Eil in the summer so potentially a venue totally dedicated to paddlesport activities would be attractive.   I think paddlesports in Scotland could be more accessible for Young People by making adaptations to boards/kayaks for a wider range of people.  Possibly with learning difficulties or disabilities.  Everyone should be able to experience the exhilaration of  being out in the water.  Feeling the waves, moving through the water and being splashed by the spray.'

13. Ruaridh

'I’m naturally quite a quiet person but when it comes to talking about things I enjoy, you can’t stop me! This has helped encourage my friends to try paddling and other sports and they say I motivate them to try new things. This gives me confidence and I enjoy learning new things with my friends as well as sharing what I’ve learned; I help with the canoe club at school. I know this type of experience and building connections through sport is important to young people to help with their physical, social and mental wellbeing. A lot of people don’t know about the sport or think it is for them. The more people doing it might help increase the opportunities and investment in the sport. I would love to raise the profile of paddle sports and provide more opportunities for young people to come and try it.'

14. Ryan

'One thing I would do for young paddlers in Scotland is have more opportunities for paddlers across disciplines to meet one another and experiment with different forms of paddling.   II would try to achieve this by having cross events for young paddlers such as a day for Recreational Paddlers to try Sprint or a day for White Water Paddlers to try Surfski.   

I hope by creating these cross events, young paddlers will start to form friendships across disciplines  but also start to form a sense of community for young paddlers.'

15. Sennen

'I used to be scared of water but after getting into paddlesport, I no longer fear it; I respect it.  I now love being part of it, being part of a team and overcoming challenges.  I think one day my experiences could help others who may be apprehensive about joining paddlesport. I think we should raise more awareness through family paddles, charity events and more.'

16. Will

'Paddling needs to be accessible and affordable for all families from all backgrounds.  Clubs in Scotland need to be inclusive for everyone not whether they are wealthy or not.  Clubs need to be able to provide decent  boats and paddles  to allow  an opportunity to progress within the sport. In Scotland we need to promote kayaking locally in schools and youth clubs, make them aware of the local facilities and we need to get young people on the water trying kayaking as much as possible.  Once people learn the skills and knowledge then they can progress to river trips etc.'