Paddlesports can have wonderful benefits on our wellbeing. From busting bad moods to helping improve more serious issues such as depression and anxiety, paddling is great for your mental health.
The first Covid lockdown saw unprecedented sales of paddleboards as the uptake and demand to try this fast growing sport hit an all time high. Retailers such as Red Paddle Co experienced a 300% rise in SUP sales – and now, as we navigate lockdown 3.0, what’s the next step?
Water Skills Ambassador Stacey Smithson-Grey’s idea for ‘The Lake District 12’ came about after regularly seeing the question on social media groups/forums asking which lakes you can and can’t paddle in the Lake District. Read her diary of her stand up paddleboarding adventure across all 12 of these lakes in 2020.
The water has never been busier with paddlers. As a result of this increased uptake, Water Skills Academy has received a constant number of calls and emails, requesting our advice and opinion on safety equipment and working environments. One of the most popular questions has been about leashes and their use.
This month marks a new milestone for Water Skills Academy, as we have just been awarded full B Corp certification. It has been an interesting and eye-opening journey, but we are proud to be joining the likes of Patagonia, Jamie Oliver Group, Able & Cole, The Body Shop and almost 4,000 companies around the world, each measuring our impact across every facet of the business, and being held to a benchmark that’s a transparent and quantifiable standard.
Are you a passionate paddleboarder looking to turn your hobby into a thriving business? Look no further than our latest blog post, where we interview Caz Dawson (aka ‘SUP Lass’), founder of SUP Lass Paddle Adventures. Caz shares her personal journey in the stand-up paddleboarding industry, including the inspiration behind her successful SUP school and the challenges she faced along the way.
Hiring SUP equipment offers a convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly option for individuals who want to enjoy the sport. But what should you be looking for when it comes to hiring the right SUP equipment to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience? We’ve pulled together the key things to look for when hiring stand up paddleboarding kit.
From adrenaline-pumping races and competitions to fun-filled festivals and kit demos, there's something for every level of paddler to enjoy at the host of paddleboarding events happening all over the UK in 2023. Whether you're a seasoned pro, just starting out or simply want to observe all of the action - these events offer the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded people, learn more about all aspects of the sports, be inspired, enhance your skills, challenge yourself, and have some memorable fun on the water.
Today is International Nurses Day - a day to celebrate nurses around the world in all specialisms. A day that coincides with the birth of Florence Nightingale. And no better day to find out how our very own Water Skills Academy Trainer and A&E Nurse, Katie Simmons found herself honing her skill set on ward and a board.
Rewind a few years ago, and you had the likes of adventurers Fiona Quinn, Sian Sykes, Lizzie Carr and Cal Major warming-up our waters for the boys who followed on, pretty sharpish. Suddenly, adventure and expedition paddling has become a “thing”, and what a treat it’s been to be able to follow these paddlers.
Water Skills Ambassador Stacey Smithson-Grey’s idea for ‘The Lake District 12’ came about after regularly seeing the question on social media groups/forums asking which lakes you can and can’t paddle in the Lake District. Read her diary of her stand up paddleboarding adventure across all 12 of these lakes in 2020.
.JPG)
