How Cambridge Canoe Club Empowered Four New Leaders and Launched Their First #ShePaddles Sea Kayaking Weekend

When paddlers think of inland clubs, sea kayaking might not be the first discipline that springs to mind. Yet Cambridge Canoe Club has recently demonstrated how targeted leadership training can ignite a thriving sea kayaking culture, culminating in their very first #ShePaddles Sea Kayaking Weekend in Northumberland.

At Paddles Up Training, we love seeing how qualifications open doors for local communities. We have heard from four newly qualified Sea Kayak Leaders Kathleen, Ida, Marianne, and Joanna, in their own words, how taking on the Sea Kayak Leader Award transformed both their confidence and their club’s offerings.

What gap in your community prompted you to pursue the Sea Kayak Leader Award?

Kathleen: “There weren’t enough leaders in the club, so it wasn’t possible to run many club trips. Previously, there hadn’t been many opportunities for those who needed more nurturing and support. Everyone was excited to provide a new opportunity and deliver this.”

Marianne: “Our club is not located very close to the sea. For several years after I joined, there were fewer club sea kayaking trips happening than I would have liked. It took me a long time to believe that I could personally help to change that. Now there is considerably more momentum, we have a growing cohort of recently-qualified leaders in addition to the small number of established leaders, and we are organising many more outings. I take particular satisfaction in being able to make more trips happen, and seeing others discover sea kayaking, gain confidence, and develop their skills.”

Joanna: “The others had already filled the gap by the time I arrived, but I was so inspired by them to pursue leadership to help expand what we could offer. They certainly made me feel that it was possible, and I can’t think of three better individuals to have as role models.”

How did peer support, coaching, and community shape your journey towards leading women-led trips?

Ida: “For me, the end goal is an inclusive community—all ages, genders, and backgrounds. As a consequence, it has to be easy for all to be inspired and involved. Kathleen removed my hesitation long before we passed the assessment by balancing out the male aspirants and making a group of supportive people to identify myself with.”

Marianne: “Rich B. offered to train several experienced paddlers over the best part of two years, initially developing our personal paddling skills in advanced water conditions, then introducing leadership concepts. I doubt that I would have even considered training as a Sea Kayak Leader without his tuition and ongoing encouragement. Equally crucial was the company and friendship of the other two female trainees, Kathleen and Ida. We learned together on practice weekends, trained together over the winter, went on increasingly daring peer paddling trips together, and gained skills, experience, and confidence. The infectious enthusiasm of our latest qualified leader, Joanna, led to the organisation of our inaugural women’s sea kayaking weekend. The experience of learning and developing alongside other women has made me appreciate the value of creating supportive environments where women can build confidence, take on challenges, and develop their skills together.”

Joanna: “The other three female sea kayak leaders are huge inspirations for me, and they all bring such different qualities to trips. Ida brings such a calm and relaxed approach to sea kayaking, and loves some wave surfing. Marianne is our adrenaline junkie and rock-hopping expert—it’s hard to feel worried in big waves when Marianne has a beaming smile on her face. And Kathleen is such an incredibly inclusive and supportive paddler, amazing at organising and helping make sure everyone has everything they need. The male sea kayakers in the club are also hugely supportive—John Stevens took me and another guy under his wing, joining us for paddles on our local river in freezing temperatures and practicing rescues all through the winter. Rich Bown has also been an incredible teacher for myself and all the other sea kayak leaders. I feel incredibly lucky that I’m part of such a supportive club.”

How has the Sea Kayak Leader Award helped expand opportunities for your community?

Marianne: “Our club has many paddlers who are curious about sea kayaking. I am keen to organise more entry-level sea kayaking trips so we can give them a chance to try out this wonderful activity. We are also organising introduction, rescue, and progression sessions on the river. The expanding cohort of qualified leaders has helped turn sea kayaking from something that a relatively small number of club members participated in into an activity that feels increasingly accessible to a wider group.”

Joanna: “The Sea Kayak Leader Award has allowed us to run way more trips, and sea kayaking seems to be one of the fastest-growing sections in the club—everyone wants to join! I think the idea of running a women-only sea kayaking trip would only have been a dream a year ago, and we’ve got 27 people on an upcoming trip, as well as at least double the number of trips this year.”

Can you share a specific breakthrough moment experienced by yourself or a participant?

Kathleen: “Learning that someone had signed up for our women’s trip and wouldn’t have signed up for any other. There is a real need!”

Marianne: “Working with the same group of paddlers during our sea kayak award course was very satisfying, particularly when some of the group went on to confidently tackle conditions that seemed unmanageable to them at the beginning. Perhaps the more unexpected breakthrough for me was realising that my own behaviour on the water could itself be a form of encouragement. I was quite surprised but very gratified to be told, on two occasions, that my relaxed demeanour in bigger waves or during rock-hopping was what convinced other paddlers that the situation was safe and enjoyable. It made me realise that leadership isn’t necessarily about giving instruction directly; sometimes it is simply about being enthusiastic, demonstrating what is possible, and giving others the confidence to think, ‘I’d like to be able to do that too.'”

What advice would you give to other community paddlers looking to replicate your success?

Kathleen: “Find your people. Having a supportive group to go through the process with made it fun and achievable.”

Marianne: “Finding one or more like-minded people makes it infinitely easier to stay motivated and to enjoy the process of gaining experience and practising skills. I would also encourage people not to underestimate how much they can contribute: aspiring to become a leader can feel like a big step, but each new leader can create opportunities for many other paddlers.”

Joanna: “Doing it as a group makes a huge difference. Having people around you going for the same goal, holding you accountable, and bringing enthusiasm was invaluable. Being a guinea pig on an assessment was also incredibly valuable, as it just removed all the unknowns from the process. And obviously, if you can find yourself a mentor!”

Ready to Take the Next Step?

The journey of Cambridge Canoe Club shows how empowering a few individuals with leadership skills can open up an entire world of adventure for an entire club.

Inspired by Cambridge Canoe Club’s story? Learn more about their upcoming trips, club sessions, and community over at the Cambridge Canoe Club Website.

Ready to lead your own group? Discover how you can start your journey with the Paddles Up Training Sea Kayak Leader Award (Tidal) and Sea Kayak Leader Award (Non-Tidal).