As we celebrate Scottish Women in Sport this month, we shine a light on the Scottish Canoe Association (SCA) and the work they are doing to increase participation of women and girls in paddlesports in Scotland. The SCA has implemented numerous programmes and opportunities to break down barriers, allowing women and girls to take part, develop their skills and build a community of likeminded individuals within the sport.
Barriers to Participation
Back in 2016, the SCA, along with 30 female coaches and leaders from a range of adventure sports, gathered at Glenmore Lodge to recognise barriers for women and girls to take part in adventure sports.
Three key barriers surfaced from these discussions:
- Low confidence
- Being in the minority
- Community and connection
Gender norms were also recognised as a potential barrier, impacting confidence and a sense of belonging. It was found that there was a lack of female specific spaces and communities which could help to provide a socially driven, supportive, atmosphere where women could feel more relaxed and push themselves out of their comfort zones.
Overcoming Barriers
Since these discussions in 2016, it is clear that the landscape in Scottish paddlesports has changed. Lara Cooper, SCA Development Manager, who leads on all Women and Girls projects said;
“There is a growing popularity of paddlesports within the female community.
"27% of members in 2016 were female, compared to 39% of new members joining in 2021. Whilst 41% of club members in 2016 were female, compared to 50% of new club members joining in 2021.”
The SCA, with the support of their Female Equality Group, have implemented numerous female specific opportunities and initiatives to suit the needs and interests of many groups and help overcome some of the issues hindering female participation.
Scottish Women’s Paddle Symposium (SWPS)
The symposium occurred on the 21 and 22 May 2022 with the aim of providing mentoring and inspiration to women who want to progress; whether that’s to gain a new qualification or purely for enjoyment; all in a social and supportive environment.
“It was an all-female line up of coaches delivering the sessions, supported by a team of assistant coaches on their journey towards achieving their own coaching qualifications. Organised by a passionate team of volunteers who made this event the great success it was!” Lara explained.
Women in Coaching/Leading Development Programme
The SCA also managed to secure a £6000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to support a tailored programme to assist women in getting qualified. The programme aims to support participants in enhancing their coaching and leadership skills. Of the 91 applicants, 29 women were selected to join a programme that includes small teams working collaboratively to support each other through the training.
Women Specific Safety and Navigation Courses
There were also many female paddlers wanting to get started on their qualification journey. The SCA are now also delivering numerous safety and navigation courses for women to build confidence in a supportive development environment, often a required first step on the coaching/leadership journey.
Sole Sisters
The SCA have also connected with the adventuring group Sole Sisters, a group for Muslim women and girls in Scotland to get more confident in the outdoors, supporting a group of 20 women to take part in a paddleboarding taster sessions.
“The ambition [is to host] a series of sessions next year as there was a clear appetite for it and we are also supporting the main leader in her development to get qualified as an instructor” Lara highlighted.
Maintaining Momentum
It is clear that a lot of work has been done to try to combat the barriers of lack of confidence, feeling underrepresented, and not having a community of likeminded individuals around you to get started as a woman or girl in paddlesports.
Looking to the future, the SCA have also got involved in the UK wide initiative #ShePaddles in partnership with British Canoeing.
“Now in its third year, our recent team of three are just getting started. These inspirational women are pivotal in promoting paddlesport and encouraging more women and girls to get on the water through a strong social media presence and through individual activities in areas where they feel passionate.”
Lara added, “[We need to] keep doing what we are doing. We are clearly action orientated and continually receiving positive feedback from female paddlers.
"We need to keep the momentum going and keep working to support under-represented groups including women with a disability, women from ethnically diverse communities, from LGBTQ+ communities, targeting under-represented age groups and providing opportunities for those who can’t afford to take part.”
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