Resources & Guidance / #ShePaddles Cymru
#ShePaddles is an initiative that aims to get more women and girls into paddlesport, and 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.
#ShePaddles was started by British Canoeing to even things up - even in 2020, only 3 in 10 members are female and we don't believe this is because women are less interested in paddling! Each year, ten #ShePaddles Ambassadors are chosen to spread the #ShePaddles message, share their passion for paddling with other women and showcase the great things females are doing in and for paddlesport.
And yup, #ShePaddles is also a hashtag to help spread the word!
#ShePaddles Cymru is Canoe Wales's own #ShePaddles initiative in Wales. We asked our Development Officer to explain how #ShePaddles Cymru started and where it's heading:
"Here at Canoe Wales, we have a real desire to have gender balance in paddlesport in all settings.
Only 29% of Canoe Wales members are female, and so we knew we wanted to do something to balance things out. The Sport Wales' 2018 School Sport Survey highlighted that participation in paddlesport is relatively gender equal at school age - and in fact demand for paddlesport is higher among females at secondary school age - but this is not currently translated into memberships.
In January 2020, Canoe Wales was successful in their grant application to Sport Wales to establish and develop a #ShePaddles Cymru programme across Wales. #ShePaddles Cymru’s aim is to encourage all females to have a go at paddling, have fun and go paddling again, again and again for life.
Unfortunately, before the programme could start, we were put into lockdown. However, in this period we observed a big shift with a significant amount of people asking where they can learn to paddle. As restrictions eased, we had to take notice! And we have!
Canoe Wales is excited to introduce our three inspirational #ShePaddles Cymru Ambassadors for 2023/24. The #ShePaddles Cymru Ambassadors are pivotal in promoting paddling and encouraging more women and girls to get on the water in Wales!
Let's meet our Ambassadors...
Name?
Megan Eynon (Meg)
Where are you based?
Cardiff
Why do you want to be a SPC ambassador?
I love paddling! I want to share my enthusiasm and encourage as many women and girls as possible to get and stay on the water.
Fun fact about you?
I'm technically a Cyborg as I need to have an external medical device attached to me at all times to stay alive!
Name?
Megan Hamer-Evans
Where are you based?
Rhondda, South Wales
Why do you want to be a SPC ambassador?
I love seeing girls smiling and having fun when paddling and I want to see as many girls as possible out on the water enjoying themselves.
Fun fact about you?
I strongly believe that platting my hair before going on the water makes me paddle faster!
And then we have Hannah Vineer. Hannah has already been an ambassador for a year so many of you will know her already. I’m sure you will agree she has been a fantastic ambassador and we are looking forward to seeing what the next year holds for Hannah.
What Hannah has to say…
#ShePaddles Cymru has kept me on the water and kept me (vaguely) sane this past couple of years! The entire team created such a supportive environment which has kept me paddling regularly despite chronic neurological disease, and the belonging I’ve found in our community really helped me to keep hold of my identity when I became a mum.
I have a real bee in my bonnet about making the outdoors and nature accessible for everyone, so the fact that I benefitted so much individually while also being trusted to represent female paddlers as a #ShePaddles Cymru ambassador has meant the world to me.
We hope you'll join us in welcoming our fantastic Ambassadors! Over the coming weeks and months, we will be helping you get to know them and sharing their paddling stories on social media. Remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay updated!
Our three #ShePaddles Cymru Ambassadors are the Welsh representatives from a group of 16 British Canoeing #ShePaddles Ambassadors, chosen to inspire women and girls throughout Great Britain. To read more about the other Ambassadors - including ten for British Canoeing (England) and three for the Scottish Canoe Association - read the British Canoeing news here.
6. Encourage any Paddling Club you join, to become a #ShePaddles Cymru Champion Club
Follow the link to read all about how it works.
Champion Club Programme (Webpage)
Here are our forthcoming events for 2024...
When: Tuesdays at 6pm
Where: Llyn Tegid, Bala
If you're thinking about having a go at SUP racing or just want to use your SUP as a mode of fitness, these sessions will be perfect. These sessions are for people age 18+ who can already SUP and want to improve in speed or fitness. Boards and paddles are available to use.
Run by Cardiff International White Water (CIWW)
£6 per session
NOT FEMALE ONLY but these are perfect sessions for encouraging females.
If you have any questions, contact Sarah Perkins on perkinss@cardiff.ac.uk
To make a booking, call CIWW on 029 2082 9970
You can check for other #ShePaddles Cymru events open for booking here.
To be the first to hear about forthcoming events, join our #ShePaddles Cymru Facebook Group.
To find out more about #ShePaddles Cymru, get in touch with our Development Officer Lydia Wilford:
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