Welsh SUP Lead update

You may be wondering what my background is in paddle sport if we haven’t crossed paths. I have been a SUP paddler for 6 years, instructing a few beginner courses and race clinics to groups, which I did alongside my previous work in the construction industry as a rope access technician. Prior to that I spent many years as a kayak instructor and a raft guide, working on both artificial and natural water. My personal paddling these days is less so on the rivers, more SUP surfing at local beaches around Porthcawl, or SUP race training in Cardiff.

The devastating Haverfordwest SUP accident in 2021 led to reviews made by the Sport Wales Board, alongside other Home Country Sports Councils, the NGB status was then awarded to Canoe Wales in May 2023, with the main aims to improve the governance, safety, and training standards in SUP in Wales. Now the journey continues as we start to branch out and build relationships with other SUP stakeholders within Wales. Canoe Wales, however, is no stranger to Stand Up Paddleboarding; it is a popular activity with many Canoe Wales affiliated clubs. Four of them situated in the Cardiff area. SUP is also incredibly popular with the ShePaddles Cymru programme, with many women choosing SUP as their sport of choice. ShePaddles Cymru also tagged along to racing at the annual Fishguard open water event last year to provide some great grass roots ocean paddling. There are also many training and qualification opportunities within the BCAB qualification system, ranging from SUP instructor to coastal leader.

My first month has been an exercise in getting to know who does what in SUP around Wales, and I am so humbled by the amazing paddlers and providers we have. There is such a wealth of knowledge out there, people are doing amazing things for the participation in SUP and for environmental causes. I have also been getting to know the staff here at Canoe Wales, and I got the chance to spend some time with our Board of Directors, presenting to them all things SUP. A lot of time has been spent planning how the next 12 months will play out, and how I can maximise my time in this role. My hope is that the SUP community can work together and feel connected with the work we are doing here so that we have every chance to create a safer sport and provide great pathways for all levels of participants and coaches. Excitingly I feel this is starting to happen already, as we open up spaces on our SUP sub-committee today, where you as SUP paddlers will have the chance to have your say, so make sure you apply to us if you want to help the sub-committee over the next 12 months.

There is plenty more coming up for me too. I will be attending the Water Skills Academy Symposium on the 15th October. This event has been running for a few years now and really brings together SUP paddlers from many disciplines. There is plenty of chance to get on the water as well as hearing talks from their ambassadors. I look forward to catching up with everyone there.

We have a SUP instructor course for Clubs running from Snowdonia Watersports on the 20 & 21st October. This course is heavily discounted and a great chance to give another dimension to your club.

We are also on the look out for clubs and groups who have the capacity and the desire to run Aquapaddle events. There are a few requirements, but it is a great way to encourage grass roots paddlers in any craft to get on the water in a safe environment. If that sounds like something you could run, please drop me a line!

Happy paddling and stay safe on the water!  - Emily