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Lifelong Equality Group

Check out our #IBelongOnTheWater Campaign

The SCA is keen to help remove inequalities and increase diversity and inclusion within paddlesport in Scotland. As part of this we are keen to increase the opportunities for people to take up paddlesport and enjoy the long term benefits of taking part through lifelong participation. The aim is to help people to progress within the sport to whatever level they desire and with the aim of them remaining in paddlesport for the long term.

The new SCA Lifelong Equality Group was formed in November 2021. The group will be working alongside the SCA Staff team, the main SCA Equality Group and other equality groups to help make paddlesport available for all.

The Lifelong Equality Groups’ goal is to actively encourage participation in all disciplines of paddlesports from all age groups so they might gain from the health, wellbeing, and social benefits that the sport brings.

The group is working to develop several initiatives, these include encouraging others into the sport, looking at ways to break down the barriers that prevent participation, and promoting a lifelong involvement in paddle sports.

Initially, to give us a greater insight into the barriers that prevent the uptake and lifelong involvement in the various paddling disciplines, we are working on a questionnaire. The questionnaire aims to help us understand the perceived, and real barriers that people face in relation to a lifelong involvement in paddlesports. By completing the questionnaire, you will be giving us a greater understanding of the bigger picture and that with this information we might help you and your fellow paddlers to address and overcome these barriers to involvement.

It would be fantastic if we could recruit some more people to join the group and support this work. If you are interested in getting involved and making a difference please get in touch: equality@canoescotland.org

Terms of reference for the Lifelong Equality Group

Who's on the committee?

Gill Berrow: I have now been paddling, on a frequent basis, for over 50 years. During that time I have paddled all sorts of craft, in all kinds of environments, and in a variety of places around the world. I love paddling, and hope to continue paddling for a long while yet! I love being on the water, exploring both new and familiar stretches of water. For me there is freedom, exercise, and enjoyment of the natural environment. I also enjoy helping others develop their paddling, leading and coaching whatever their interest, their experience or their aspirations.

I was keen to be part of this group as I am keen to support others to gain from their involvement in paddlesports regardless of their age.

Graham Keates: My life in paddle sport started in the Scouts at the age 14 in canvas kayaks. I love it. I spent a great deal of my early years at the Longridge(Marlow) centre. Becoming very active in Long Distance racing, Slalom and Sprint. I completed the Devices Westminster Marathon as a junior. In my teens I took up WWR White Water Racing at Reading Kayak Club and advanced to the top 20 paddlers in the UK. Then I joined the services. I became an ACU, Army Canoe Union Instructor teaching young soldiers to paddle. The height of this service was to lead an expedition along the West Coast of Italy tracing the Squadrons area of operation during the second world war. Then my career changed resulting in a high degree of active service and paddle sport took a sideline. It was interesting how career commitments took me away from the sport but the inner me always wanted to get back. It was a long time. Some 30 years before I came back! When I left the services I had 20 years dedicated to my work. Then I got really sick. My life as I knew it was at an end. I could do nothing. Lost everything. I did get better and part of that was returning to my passion of kayaking. I just knew it would help with my physical, mental and emotional recovery. It worked. I am getting on a bit now. So with my experience of life and paddle sport I am keen to help other to discover the benefits no matter what your life has presented. Why, because it is simple, graduated fun. What suits you, anyone can do, it does not matter, perceived limitations or barriers our minds set in our later years. I know because I'm doing it now. So can you. Just do it now! We on this committee are here to help.

Andrew Robertson: I was introduced to paddle sports at secondary school; however, it wasn’t until around the age of 40 that I developed an active interest, eventually joining my local paddling club at Banff. I enjoy open canoe, surf kayak and some easier white-water paddling, however my main passion is sea kayaking. Under the guidance of excellent coaches, and with the support of my local northeast sea kayaking club, I achieved the advanced sea leader award. I’m now focussed on the coaching skills that will enable me to contribute towards the development of other paddlers. Through our group I hope we can encourage new and existing paddlers to have a lifelong association within the sport, and to provide support to they need on their journey.

Lara Cooper: I grew up paddling, started as a kid racing in Canoe Slalom, then got into White Water kayaking (paddling, exploring and coaching), and now love my Sea Kayaking. My professional career is also firmly set in paddlesport as Coach Educator, Qualification Developer and Trainer supporting the SCA. I am delighted to be part of the SCA Lifelong Equality Group, I started paddling at the age of 10 and paddling has remained a significant part of my life ever since, What I seek from my paddling has changed significantly as I am gone on through life. Now in my early 50s I am sure that it will continue to evolve so I can continue for decades to come! Supporting lifelong participation is something I am passionate about, and feel very fortunate to be involved in a sport that can adapt as we get older and as our personal circumstances change.

Roger Holmes: My first experience of paddlesport was on the River Trent at Newton Solney in Derbyshire with Mercia Venture Scouts in a fibreglass kayak. I remember spinning around a lot but really enjoyed it. Each year we would take part in the Scouts River Dove Canoe Race which was the only day of the year we were meant to paddle it.... I bought my first kayak from Peak 95, the international Scout camp at Chatsworth in Derbyshire.

When we moved up to Aberfeldy in 1998 I joined Breadalbane Canoe Club and experienced my first real taste of white water paddling at Grandtully. When my kids were young I ended up not paddling for a while to help out at bedtimes so I took up mountain biking as it was easier to fit in.

As my kids became old enough to take part they took up slalom and I began to help at their sessions which led me into coaching and ultimately leadership pathway. This pathway also introduced me to open canoeing for the first time and now enjoy and paddle both kayak and canoe in equal amounts.

It has also been great to see the positive effect taking part in paddlesport has had on my kids from the discipline of competition, to paddling whitewater, to a relaxing paddle on a local Loch or giving something back and volunteering and coaching others. I really believe paddlesport is a lifelong pastime for everyone that can be enjoyed by the different generations together.

Alli: The breadth of opportunities that paddling disciplines provides is fantastic and has kept me interested from when I first started paddling, in my late teens. I am always looking to share in the happiness paddling has brought into life experiences, and as we age, how paddling continues for all individuals has led to some interesting discussions.