Paddlesport, with its wide variety of disciplines and environments, is one of the fastest growing sports in Scotland.
In an effort to achieve their strategic vision of ‘Paddlesport for All’, Paddle Scotland have launched various initiatives across the country. From mentoring programmes aiming to inspire and nurture the next generation of paddling enthusiasts to coaching initiatives breaking down gender barriers, there is a significant amount of work underway to encourage a more diverse community into the sport of Paddling.
We take a look at some of Paddle Scotland’s innovative programmes currently in place.
Fit for Girls
Eleven young women and girls have been selected from across Scotland to participate in the "Fit for Girls'' programme. The main aim of the two year programme is for the participants to encourage more girls their age to take part in paddlesport.
The hope is to help shape paddlesport so it better supports girls, with those involved acting as role models to inspire other girls to take part. The girls are each supported by an individual mentor, to help them achieve their aspirations in their own clubs, with mentor development built into the programme.
Sophie, one of the participants, shares her insight on the importance of programmes like this one:
"The paddlesport community feels quite small, especially for women and girls. We want to change that by giving girls the chance to try it out. Many haven't had the opportunity, but they might discover a new passion if they're given the chance."
The programme involves face-to-face workshops and work within the participants’ own club to encourage others to get involved with the sport. These workshops include a range of activities designed to support development and provide the participants with the tools they need to make a difference in paddlesport within their area.
Women’s Coach Development Programme
Despite the growing interest in paddlesport among women, the sport has recognised a noticeable shortage of female coaches and leaders in Scotland.
With approximately 30% of members and 40% of paddlesport club associates being female, the disparity in coaching roles is stark, ranging from 0% - 30% female coaches/leaders depending on the discipline. To address this gap, the Women’s Coach Development Programme was born.
This programme aimed to change this by nurturing aspiring female paddlers interested in coaching or leadership roles. A total of 29 women completed the programme that ran from October 2022 to May 2023, with grant support from the National Lottery awards for all. The programme offered free mentoring support and practical development days to support the team to develop their coaching or leadership skills. Since the programme finished, six participants have completed additional qualifications and many others are well on their way to forthcoming assessment.
Feedback from the participants was hugely positive, with many comments reiterating how it has grown their confidence, skills and widened their network of peers;
"The online mentoring sessions have increased my knowledge and the practical sessions helped by putting these and other things into practice."
Paddle Scotland Development Manager Lara Cooper reflects: “The Paddle Scotland Women's Coaching/Development Programme has had a very positive impact on participants' paddling and holistic development. Participants have developed their paddling skills, leadership skills, and confidence. They have also made new connections within the paddlesport community. We are delighted to be planning a repeat of the programme again next year.” Looking ahead, the programme anticipates welcoming a new intake of participants by the end of 2024.
#ShePaddles Ambassadors
In collaboration with Paddle UK, the #ShePaddles initiative is empowering women across the UK to share their love for paddling. Now in its fourth year, the program has appointed 10 ambassadors in Scotland, with a new team of four ready to make their mark on the sport.
ShePaddles aims to amplify women's voices within the paddlesport community, creating role models and advocates for female participation. Niamh, one of last year’s ambassadors, expresses her passion for the initiative: "I want to break down barriers and make paddlesport inclusive for everyone. Let's share our knowledge and skills to build a community where all women feel welcome and empowered."
Female Equality Group
One of six dedicated Paddle Scotland Equality Groups, the Female Equality Group meets regularly online to discuss strategies for fostering a more inclusive paddlesport environment. Emily Hamilton-Peach, a longtime member, shares her excitement: "I want women paddlers to feel confident exploring new challenges and enjoying the sport to the fullest. Together, we can make paddlesport as inclusive as possible!"
As these initiatives continue to gain momentum, the future of paddlesport in Scotland looks brighter—and more diverse—than ever before. With passionate mentors, dedicated coaching programmes, and inspiring ambassadors leading the way, the waters are ripe for a new generation of female paddlers to thrive.
Find out more
To get involved with any of these programmes, please get in touch with Paddle Scotland at hello@paddlescotland.org.uk.
