Words: John Lewis,
Chair, Deva Canoe Club
Photos: Ian Moran
& Mathew Sefton
Deva Canoe Club is a recreational club based on the River Dee in Chester.
Mental health awareness at Deva CC
In common with many clubs, we at Deva Canoe Club have experienced a growing interest in our activities in the post-pandemic years, particularly from beginners with little or no paddlesports experience.
This is often attributed to a reaction to lockdown, which increased social isolation; however, there was already an increase in the take-up of adventure activities in the years before Covid. The desire to get outside and try a new activity was driven by a realisation that it was beneficial for mental and physical health.
In the Summer 2023 issue of Paddler Magazine, Del Read eloquently expressed her feelings as a competitive kayaker (https://paddlerezine.com/anxiety-and-kayaking/).
As recreational paddlers, we also know that exercise, comradeship, development of skills and challenging ourselves to achieve are good ways to relax and relieve anxiety and stress that we all experience daily. At Deva Canoe Club, we aim to make everyone welcome, and this starts as soon as you walk down the drive for the first time at a club meeting.
The duty’ Welcome Team’ at each meeting consists of five people: a welcomer to say hello and explain what we can offer, an administration officer who will help you fill in the necessary paperwork as a guest or to join as a member, a kit manager who will help you select and fit you out with a suitable craft, PFD, paddle etc., and introduce you to the coach and assistant coach for the session. Joining any new group can be an intimidating experience, and we aim to be as friendly as possible.
Our Safeguarding and Welfare Officer, Judith Lathaen, has completed the ‘Time to Listen’ training and has developed our club practice. The Safeguarding element of our policies that we have in place covers the duty of care, and we hope that all clubs pay due respect. However, we see the Welfare element as a broader field that considers members’ day-to-day feelings and health. As well as being a safe place, we aim to be a listening, sharing and caring club.
Judith and club member Mat recently proposed a fundraising event in support of MIND, the mental health charity. To explain why this was important, Mat wrote a very personal, open article explaining how kayaking with the club had helped him. He has kindly agreed to share this more widely; the words below are Mat’s account.
By the way, our MIND event raised awareness and collected £750 for MIND from donations at a tea and cake party held at our meeting on August 17th. Members and their families and friends supported it. Thanks to Judith and our many members who set it up, served drinks and cakes, publicised and baked cakes, and to those who generously supported the event.
From fear to freedom – A journey to mental health recovery through kayaking
I’m Mathew Sefton, and kayaking has been a transformative experience. It’s helped me manage my mental health and opened up a new world of adventure and friendship. I encourage anyone struggling with mental health issues to give kayaking a try. Who knows, it could be the beginning of a life-changing journey.
Kayaking is a fantastic activity for people of all ages and abilities. It’s a great way to stay active, explore nature, and spend time with friends and family. But did you know that kayaking can also have significant mental health benefits? For people struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues, kayaking can improve mood, reduce stress, and build confidence.
As someone who has struggled with mental health issues for many years, I can attest to the powerful impact that kayaking can have. Like many others with social anxiety, attending a new social situation was terrifying. The fear of being judged, rejected or humiliated can be overwhelming and lead to avoidance behaviours. Despite these fears, I decided to push through and attend the first session at my local canoe club (Deva Canoe Club). It wasn’t easy, and I initially felt nervous and out of place. But as I got to know the other club members and saw how supportive and encouraging they were, my anxiety dissipated.
Kayaking provided a safe and supportive environment that allowed me to build my confidence and overcome my social anxiety gradually. Being out in nature and engaging in a shared activity helped create a sense of camaraderie and connection, making it easier for me to open up and be myself. Over time, as I improved my kayaking skills and made new friends, my social anxiety began to diminish.
But the benefits of kayaking for mental health extend beyond just social anxiety. Kayaking is also an excellent way to reduce stress and improve mood. The rhythmic motion of paddling can have a calming effect on the mind, helping to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Being out in nature and surrounded by the beauty of the water can provide a sense of peace and tranquillity that is hard to find in our busy, modern lives.
Moreover, kayaking can provide a sense of accomplishment and mastery that can be particularly important for people struggling with depression. Setting goals and working towards them, such as improving your paddling technique or completing a challenging course, can give a sense of purpose and boost self-esteem. The sense of control and empowerment from mastering a new skill can be a powerful antidote to the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness that often accompany depression.
In conclusion, kayaking is an activity that offers not only physical benefits but also significant mental health benefits. By providing a safe, supportive and empowering environment, kayaking can help to reduce social anxiety, improve mood and boost confidence. If you’re struggling with mental health issues, try kayaking – you may be surprised at just how much it can help.
Thanks for reading!
