By Words:
Nicola Forsyth

Photos:
Jake Webb @jakeyjakejacobs​

#ShePaddles Cymru

Plas y Brenin, in partnership with Canoe Wales, hosted their first #ShePaddles Cymru event together from the Sport England owned National Outdoor Centre in Snowdonia.

Over the 7th and 8th of May, the two-day event brought together 65 women to celebrate and encourage more women and girls to get into paddlesports. The event featured 16 workshops covering various paddlesports and levels – from beginners and enthusiasts to inspiring instructors and coaches.

Split across the two days; the weekend has something for everyone, from skills development workshops to masterclasses with the professionals and entertainment on Saturday evening.

Workshops included kayaking, canoeing, SUP coaching and leadership, safety and rescue, navigation, planning and kit preparation and SUP yoga.

Coaches included Lowri Davies, Eila Wilkinson (British Canoeing Sea Kayak & Surfski Coach), Emily Evans, Laura Wynne, Sarah Keight (British Canoeing Coach), Matt Giblin, Jon Green, Claire Pursey, Chris Evans and Dave Janes.

#ShePaddles was started by British Canoeing to even things up – even in 2020, only three in ten members are female. The ambition is to keep them progressing to where they want to be – whether that’s paddling with family, volunteering as a coach at a local club, becoming an instructor or competing at a national level.

The event was supported by partners including Peak PS, O’Shea, Pyranha Kayaks, P&H and Aber Falls Whisky Distillery.

Chris Evans, Head of Paddlesports at Plas y Brenin, commented, “Over the last few years, we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of people taking up paddlesports – be it canoeing, kayaking or stand up paddleboarding (SUP). What was special about this weekend was seeing so many women and girls coming together to celebrate and continue their passion for paddlesports – or try them for the first time.

“Together with Canoe Wales, we have developed the ideal environment to introduce, encourage and support any female that wishes to participate in paddlesport safely and responsibly – and following the success of this first event together, we hope for it to be the first of many more. We’re also incredibly grateful for the support of our partners, partner brands and the volunteers for pulling off such a fantastic event.”

Lydia Wilford, Development Officer, Canoe Wales, commented, “It has been a great weekend seeing so many women out on the water. #ShePaddles Cymru is getting bigger and better each time. In particular, it has been good to see people progressing their learning and taking the next step in terms of tech advice. The turnout was brilliant, and we hope this following will grow as we repeat the event.”

Lowri Davies, Freeflow Kayaking Coach, commented, “It was so wonderful to see women of all ages, abilities and backgrounds coming together for a fun couple of days, packed full of activities, talks and an awesome band. The buzz and positive vibes were unreal: Memories made, achievements ticked, and new friendships forged. An honour to be a part of!”

Eila Wilkinson commented, “It was a fantastic celebration of women paddlers and empowering women to develop their skills and progress in an exciting, fun and inspirational environment.
“All the ladies shone like the sun shone on us all for the weekend – brilliant and bright. A weekend jam-packed, full to the brim with laughs and teamwork.”

Sarah Keight commented, “This weekend, I was involved in a momentous occasion that saw the coming together of females from all over the country for the first #ShePaddles Cymru festival hosted by Plas y Brenin in North Wales. The event was a tremendous success that left people feeling overjoyed with their experiences and excited for the future possibilities and adventures on the water.

“Walking around the centre, it was buzzing with smiling faces, new friendships, stories of achievement and a great sense of togetherness.

“The #ShePaddles Cymru team had put together a busy programme that allowed people to try out a selection of paddlesports in the day, as well as a workshop on coastal navigation and water safety. Then in the evening, they could further challenge themselves to roll in the pool or try SUP yoga if they wanted.

“As a British Canoeing coach, I was invited to deliver a kayaking workshop on Saturday and a kayak journey on Sunday. It was an absolute pleasure to be involved and so much fun. For some, it was their first time in a kayak, and for others, they were getting back on the water, having not paddled for many years, so many people were understandably nervous. Questions were encouraged, and time was spent ensuring everyone felt comfortable with their craft.

“I focused on sharing the fundamentals through experimenting and top tips, which helped build foundation skills and confidence – creating a supportive environment where they won’t feel silly trying new things, making mistakes or wobbling around. The women were incredibly supportive of one another and celebrated each other’s achievements.

“However, the event was not all about the paddling, as the people you are with often make it so special. That evening with so many newly formed friendships, we dusted off our dancing shoes and danced the night away, having an absolute blast. Which was very much welcomed after Covid. The event was empowering and has certainly left all involved thirsty for more.”

Leanne Bird, a #ShePaddles Cymru volunteer, commented, “I thoroughly enjoyed the Plas Y Brenin #ShePaddles Cymru event. On the weekend, it ran like a well-oiled machine. Helen and Lydia and their respective teams of staff and volunteers made my job as a volunteer and SUP Yoga Instructor easy. I met some lovely new people and what was most important was seeing the participants enjoy it. I haven’t seen so many smiling faces for a long time, and it filled me with joy to know that I was part of that. The workshops were well run and interesting, and the evening event had everyone getting to know each other more, with the fantastic band getting us up dancing. Plas Y Brenin itself is a fantastic high-quality venue, and the conditions were just perfect for SUP Yoga on Saturday evening. What a stunning backdrop to the session! Hopefully, I will definitely be back again to deliver more SUP Yoga, try a glass of Yup Soga, and, of course, will be back for next year’s #ShePaddles Cymru!”

Customer Marion Baker commented, “I have been attending both #ShePaddles Cymru events and Plas y Brenin courses for a while now, so even though I came alone, I felt confident as I know and trust the team. I really liked the wide range of workshops on offer as it meant I could try something new or refresh some of the skills I already have. I participated in sea kayaking, navigation and planning, the rolling clinic and safety and rescue. It was a fantastic day – even the weather performed for us!

“Having had instruction from some of the instructors before meant they remembered where I’d got up to, and we were able to pick up where I left off. Having the sessions tailored to everyone’s ability meant we all had the opportunity and reassurance to progress confidently and safely. As an individual, I felt looked after and cared for – while having fun too. Trusting your instructor makes all the difference as you can be honest and tell them what you’re afraid of or would like to do more of. The range and number of workshops meant you could do as little or as much as you wanted.”

Pete Astles, Founder of Peak PS, who has been in partnership with Plas y Brenin since 2016, commented, “It’s great to come to an event post-Covid-19 and meet socially after such a long break and meet people who share our love of paddlesports, especially at Plas y Brenin, one of our partners. It’s essential to both of us to encourage more women and girls into paddlesports. In my 40 years of paddling, it’s been traditionally a male-dominated sport, so it’s important to make women feel welcome – everyone is welcome. Great to see so many more people generally taking up outdoor activities since the pandemic started, especially the increase in the number of women taking part.

“Even from school days, men and women are assigned different sports, so perhaps these differences need tackling earlier. We need to start at school age – perhaps there’s scope for a #ShePaddles Cymru junior – hopefully, we can even up the ratio of men to women from school age. We’re starting to see a more even split with younger age groups.

“For our part, we have started creating more garments specifically for women, such as wrap-around buoyancy vests, jackets and legwear. There’s still more to do, and we’re looking to expand this range, but the industry has made a start, and it has been well received.”

Beginner tips

Emily Evans, SUP & raft racer and paddling coach

1. Make sure that you acquire a board and paddle that suits your size; this will make your paddling experience the best it can be and make sure that you are not straining your body, leaving you feeling fresh to head out again and again.
2. If or when you take the time to get some lessons, then do some research into your centre/club or coaches, make sure you know a bit about them, where and how they operate.
3. It is essential to dress appropriately; you are more likely to have a better experience in the colder months and a safer one. Look into the different types of clothing suitable for the type of SUP activity you are going to be doing.
4. Strength and stretching: Take some time to look after your paddling muscles; they will thank you for it. You can improve your paddling experience by working on some balance exercises and leg strength. Also, work on keeping the strength and suppleness in your hands, arms and shoulders.
5. Get familiar with the weather in your local paddling area, knowing this is crucial to staying safe. If you are coastal, it might be worth taking a coastal navigation course to understand the tides and weather in your area; if you are ever unsure, best not to head out and save it for a good calm day.

Sarah Keight
(Paddling Coach and lecturer in Outdoor Leadership)

1. Try to get comfortable with the water you will be paddling on. Practice falling out. Once you have fallen in, often people realise it is not that bad, and they can then relax and try new techniques.
2. It can take a while to find a paddling group that works for you. Many paddlers are active on social media that you could arrange to paddle with. However, confidence can take a long time to build and be lost in a split second. Beforehand, try and encourage honesty and transparency to check everyone has similar expectations of the day, the abilities within the group and the environment you are going into. That way, everyone can finish having had a positive experience. If you’re not happy doing something, do speak out.
3. My energy levels can plummet when I am paddling, leading to unnecessary mistakes. Take some tasty snacks and have them to hand.

There’s an overwhelming sense that a community of like-minded people to learn from and share your journey with makes those first steps into this amazing, varied world of paddling safer and more positive, hope to see you there!

About Plas y Brenin

Plas y Brenin National Outdoor Centre was founded in 1955 and is a world-renowned provider of adventure sports training. From a base in the scenic heart of Snowdonia, Plas y Brenin’s work is focused on developing inspiring coaches, instructors and leaders in adventure sports, be they volunteers or working professionally in the sector, to better support people, from all backgrounds, to get active in the outdoors.

To learn more visit www.pyb.co.uk.