Making waves

Gliding across the glassy waters of Western Australia’s South West, a new wave of paddlers are making a splash — one stroke at a time.

Led by an enthusiastic team from Coastal Rowing Western Australia, the new She Paddles initiative invites women from all walks of life, including cultural minorities and older paddlers, who are keen to experience the freedom and camaraderie of life on the water.

Having run multiple free kayak and stand-up paddle sessions at Jetty Baths in Bunbury and the Leschenault Estuary this year, Coastal Rowing WA chairperson Dr Nancy Churchill says the newly launched She Paddles program has already been a huge success, averaging about 100 participants each month.

While there are qualified instructors on hand to teach newcomers the basics, Dr Churchill says it’s less about mastering the perfect stroke or staying upright, and more about having a good time.

“Everyone who comes to our sessions leaves wildly enthused — I can’t think of a single person who’s walked away from our sessions without feeling this way,” she says.

“What’s nice is we’ve created a safe space where people can get involved in whatever feels right for them. But our overall aim is to provide opportunities for people to learn paddle sports without the expectation of joining the club.”

The She Paddles initiative is part of a wider movement that was launched in the United Kingdom by Paddle UK in 2018.

“We were familiar with what Paddle UK was doing and wanted to create something similar for women and girls to engage in paddling activities here,” Dr Churchill says.

“We decided to launch the program in WA’s South West because there are so many spots that are perfect for paddle sports, but surprisingly these activities were not previously offered in the greater Bunbury region at all.

“We saw a real opportunity for growth here, and Paddle WA quickly got onboard to help support the program.”

The WA-based She Paddles program has since received much-needed funding from the Play Our Way program that supports organisations creating new opportunities for people to come together by building safe, modern environments for women and girls to play sport.

“Out of 120 sites selected nationwide for the grant, we’re one of the few,” Dr Churchill says.

“As a small club we’ve had to be resourceful in figuring out the best way to deliver these services with limited hands on deck.

“Right now, we’re looking for eager learners to join our group, but beyond that, we want to support their transition to the next stage, where they can build technical skills and eventually pass that knowledge on to others.”

Dr Churchill says the current She Paddles season has already been extended through to March due to high demand, with the following season set to ramp up again in November.

For those keen on attending a future event or volunteering, please express your interest via email to shepaddleswa@gmail.com.

fact file

+ She Paddles is led by a group of volunteers from Coastal Rowing WA, who offer free kayak and stand-up paddle sessions to women interested in getting out on the water in a fun, supportive and non-competitive environment.

+ Based in the greater Bunbury region, the free sessions typically occur at either Jetty Baths in Bunbury or on the Leschenault Estuary, with paddle and safety equipment provided.

+ First-time paddlers, those lacking confidence in the water and women looking for a supportive, social sporting activity are encouraged to reach out and attend.

+ Contact shepaddleswa@gmail.com to find out more.