Words:
Mike Sunderland:
Paddle Cumbria Coach/
Leader Training/
CPD Lead
Email: coaching.cumbria@vol.paddleuk.org.uk

Mike Sunderland

Photos: Nicole Turley

Next year’s event: Saturday 23 January 2027
We are excited to develop next year’s CPD Live event with YMCA Lakeside – Saturday 23 January 2027, and hope to offer an overnight stay, a film show/talks, an evening meal, and breakfast. On Sunday 24 January, we plan to offer a FREE day’s paddling in the Lake District, showcasing Cumbria’s rivers/lakes/coastline for several small groups in mixed disciplines.

Save this date and contact Mike Sunderland to EXPRESS your interest for your clubs coach/leaders or as an individual. Email: coaching.cumbria@vol.paddleuk.org.uk

Paddle Cumbria CPD Live Event 2026

For several years (30 years), Cumbria Canoeists has delivered and hosted Coach/Leader Updates/Coaching Matters/CPD events. This year has been no different, other than the name ‘Cumbria CPD Live’ and, for the second year, being hosted by YMCA Lakeside on the shores of Lake Windermere.

To attract a positive number of coach/leaders – over 60 participants – we have built up a strong delivery team, many of whom are Paddle UK National Trainers.
We run a practical ‘on the water’ workshop (am) offering open boat, sea kayak, SUP, river kayak, and mixed-craft options, and (PM), after an extended lunch break for networking and socialising, we offer a variety of dry workshops.

Tea/coffee flows all day and our packed lunches are supplemented by a hot veg soup, produced by the chef from The Lakeside catering team, as it is usually January when we run the events!

To support the audience, we have a local supplier, Border Kayaks and Canoes, and this year we were privileged to host Pete Knowles of ‘Rivers Publishing,’ who gave away maps and sold his guidebooks at a discounted price.

A sample of delivery team feedback
Sarah Keight – National Trainer
“I thoroughly enjoyed my day with the Cumbrian and northern Paddlesport Coaches/Leaders, delivering workshops on developing power transfer to make canoes GO and improving teamwork in tandem pairs. We shared ideas, thoughts and tactics and addressed common issues, e.g. empowering both the bow and stern paddler in their tandem roles, as the front paddler doesn’t just provide the power.”

Dan Wilkinson – National Trainer & PUK Lead Standards Officer
“Coming together as a community is so important for us as paddlers. Sharing the water with a wide range of experienced coaches and leaders, and focusing on developing skills and understanding to help us grow as paddlers and coaches, is a privilege. The enthusiasm of participants from across the north of England to share experiences, develop understanding and fully involve themselves in the sessions was inspirational. A wide range of workshops allowed paddlers from all disciplines (including some mixed-discipline workshops) to get what they wanted from their day. I also managed to not get on my soapbox too many times.”

Ian Adey – Delivery Team Coach
‘It was great to see the passion for coaching and supporting others from the Coaches in the ‘Kayak Playtime’ session. The coaches really got stuck in, challenging themselves surfing waves and stoppers, and breaking down how to take their skills into their future coaching sessions.

“Best of all was seeing the coaches grinning, playing and supporting each other.”

Chris Brain – National Trainer
“Connecting paddlers to share knowledge and develop skills is so important. It has been a pleasure to be involved in the CPD event again, and I feel so energised by being around such a passionate and motivated group of paddlers, leaders and coaches. The event always offers a wide range of opportunities, with diverse workshops developed specifically for the day and responsive to participants’ wants and needs. I feel that events like this bring the paddling community together and have a big impact on our practice. If I weren’t delivering workshops at the event, I would absolutely be attending as a participant!”

Martin Barry (Sen Operations Manager)
YMCA Lakeside Centre Feedback
“It was great to see our building and facilities being used by a large group of like-minded outdoor professionals and volunteers. As ever, there was a lovely atmosphere that combined fun, hard work, and a subtle yet strong acknowledgement that the Cumbria Canoeists coaching group is doing great things for the paddling community. This model should act as a great template for other regional areas to work towards!

“It was great to meet and collaborate with so many passionate volunteers and fellow professionals – I’m just sorry there wasn’t more time to natter!”

“A giant thank you to the amazing delivery team who never disappoint with their workshops. Plus thanks to our local paddle sport suppliers – Antony from Border Kayaks and Canoes and Pete Knowles from Rivers Publishing – both Cumbria-based.”

A sample of participants’ feedback:
Chris
“I would personally like to say what an absolutely excellent set of workshops you put together. Never have I come away with so much practical and theoretical knowledge. This knowledge I know will be passed on in our club.

“The Lake District is an awe-inspiring location, so please keep up your excellent work, and I hope to hear more about next year’s plans soon.”

What I enjoyed about the event by Craig – Ullswater Outward Bound staff
The venue was a superb location for access to the water:

• The hospitality was great, from coffee to soup; this was really welcome.
• The choice of workshops.
• I didn’t need any kit; however, the fact that you offered kit for people was a really nice thing to do.
• The wide range of different presenters and knowledge amongst the trainers/facilitators.
• The fact that Pete Knowles – Rivers Publishing, was present and still going strong at the age of 80.
• You had Anthony of ‘Border Kayaks and Canoes’ supporting local suppliers.
• The extended lunch break was positive for networking.
• The games and tips/tricks I took from the workshops.
• The knowledge that we shared during the afternoon workshop on personal performance awards was outstanding.

Thank you so much for organising this event. I genuinely enjoyed spending time with like-minded folk and really look forward to the next event.

Positive comments from Christine:
“This CPD day gave me a really good opportunity to meet other paddlers outside of my club to share ideas and fun! I enjoyed both workshops, and everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. The venue and refreshments were very welcome, and the whole event was well organised.

“I was actually quite nervous coming by myself and not knowing anyone or the set-up, but it was all easy-going! An excellent session and you booked the weather, too – many thanks for letting a Non-Northerner join in. Cumbria may be small, but it has got its paddling well and truly sorted.”

Christopher – Hexham CC
“The sessions were absolutely spot on. Fun and lots of learning on the water and really useful teaching and discussion on land. Please may I come next year. Again, many thanks.

“What an absolutely excellent set of workshops you put together. Never have I come away with so much practical and theoretical knowledge.

“I know I’ll pass this knowledge on in our club. Our region is losing out on not having this type of CPD model in place.”

“Final thanks to Aimee Sallis (Paddle UK), who automatically accredited all the 60+ participants with their 10 CPD points by lunchtime on Monday, after the event! Thanks, Aimee.”

Graham’s feedback
“The Lake District is an awe-inspiring location, if I could relocate for my weekends! Keep up your excellent work, and I hope to hear soon about next year’s event.”

Feedback to Martin of YMCA Lakeside has been OUTSTANDING, specifically commenting on this “New build and innovative outdoor centre in the heart of the Lake District National Park, located on the banks of Lake Windermere.”

I am glad to hear our National Trainers’ delivery team is signed up for Jan 2027 and will be delivering quality, inspirational, practical, and outstanding workshops to support the volunteer coach/leaders of many of our centres, clubs, and paddle sport groups in Northern England.

A big thank you from Paddle Cumbria for the participants’ enthusiasm and feedback, to Martin Barry – YMCA – for hosting such a great event, for the support and attendance of Darryll Shaw (Head of Membership Services & Growth) and Lee Pooley (Director of Recreation & Development) of Paddle UK and to Nicola Lake (Volunteer Manager) for her drive to connect and research the needs and views of the vast collection of volunteers who run our sport nationally.