First UK Ladies Paddle Symposium

The weekend before last saw the UK’s inaugural Ladies Paddle Symposium organised by Pyranha team-member Fran Kohn. Around 70 British paddling ladies from the disciplines: freestyle, river paddling, sea kayaking and canoeing gathered together in Glan Llyn near Bala. It was ideally located close to the Sea and the Trweryn as well as having a lake on-site.  Fran had organised a number of the best coaches around including Chris Eastabrook, Lowri Davies, Tom Parker, Eila Wilkinson and Trys Burke. Pyranha supported the event, providing demo boats from all disciplines and I gave an evening talk on behalf of Pyranha about overcoming fear – an issue affecting people accross the disciplines.

The feedback about the event was overwhelmingly positive, all of the participants told me that they had really enjoyed being inspired by meeting other women with the same enthusiasm for kayaking as them. Often women in kayaking clubs can find that they are surrounded by male peers, so it was great for the girls of all ages to build up networks of other women that they could share experiences with. During the meal-times and social breaks the air was filled with discussion about all types of topics from getting past the boys to lead groups to she-wee’s and other ways to go to the toilet when wearing a dry suit were also popular!!! Of course we all love being part of the wider kayaking community with the boys, but it was just refreshing to have a weekend with the girls. Many participants are keeping in touch with new friends to organise girls-trips after the symposium!  Thanks Fran!! Lets hope that there is another one next year. Let Fran know if you’re interested at: ladiespaddlesymposium@hotmail.co.uk

Pictures by Paula Volkmer and Claire Mangan