I hear this question a lot well I don’t, I hear the answer to the question. “I’m too fat”, “I look like a fool”, “my face is too red” or “everyone will be watching me’.

But I wonder how many of us have considered that other peoples opinion of us is actually none of our business. It’s their opinion, it’s not the truth and you don’t actually even know what they’re thinking. It’s funny really when you think about it, well it’s not, it’s sad, the number of people that allow that opinion to stop them doing what they want to.

I was, I am one of ‘those’ people too. I’ve worried about my friends judging me for being too clumsy on my board, I’ve sped up while running past acquaintances and I’ve felt judged by complete strangers on the internet. And, I don’t know how many times, I’ve justified my weight to people by talking about the activity I do. My point is, I am far from immune from feeling this way and for a long time it stopped me pushing myself.

Do you know what helped?

I found freedom in the fact that nobody is
think about you (or me)!

It brought me so much perspective when I realised that, I was the only one who was thinking and judging myself against impossible standards. I would never speak to my friend or anyone on the street like that, so why was I doing it to myself.

When that woman ran past me with a red face, I thought ‘wow, I wish I had the motivation to run today and looked that strong doing it’. When I watched someone wobbling on their board, I thought ‘Go you for giving it a try’ and well, I’ve never though ‘ooo why is she doing ___’ and judged someone for the way their body looks when it’s moving.

So, I’d like to take the pleasure in telling you, no one is thinking about you the way you are. They’re not worried about the way you look, in fact you might just be inspiring someone to try something new because turning up is SO IMPORTANT. If you don’t see other people who look like you – do it anyway!

Oh and to that very small minority (I mean tiny) who might judge… why does it matter?
Don’t let it get to you, their opinion doesn’t matter, its a projection of their own insecurities and only you know the real truth. Self-validation comes from self-acceptance and that’s so powerful to understand because YOU hold the power.

We only have one life, it’s not long enough, so don’t let the way you ‘think’ you look stop you from living the best life for you. It only takes a moment of fearlessness to make a change.

It’s not long until corona virus restrictions are due to begin lifting, with day travel within the UK back on the cards from May! For me, that means more chances for paddle adventures, slightly further afield in Dorset and I can’t wait.

I’m very lucky to have incredible paddle destinations right on my doorstep which mean my lockdown paddles have still been epic. So, by popular demand (on my Instagram stories), here are my 4 Top Lockdown Locations, so if Weymouth & Portland is a post lockdown destination for you, don’t forget your paddle board (or kayak or canoe)!

Billy Winters to Sandsfoot Castle

One of my favourite paddles, you can actually launch from either, but the parking and launching is much easier from Billy Winters – there is also the draw of Cake and Coffee at the end of the paddle. Paddling around the edge of the harbour, under the cliffs with the small hidden beaches. At low spring tide, you can island hop across the sandbars, standing in the middle of the harbour and at neap tides you can enjoy the little beaches on route. This paddle is around 2 miles and the first one I took once I was more competent – you can also continue past the castle towards the underbarn, giving you a 3 mile paddle.

You can also hire paddle boards here in the summer, if you just want to give it a try!

Weymouth Beach

The perfect park and play for beginners or individuals, like me that want to practice some skills in the sheltered shallows. 

Parking in the pavilion car park, it’s just a short walk to the shoreline more sheltered towards the pavilion wall but offering a long sandy paddle. This beach is a favourite with families due to it safety – the sheltered bay, sandy shallow waters and clean water. 

Either practice in the skills in the shallows or paddle along the seafront, heading towards Greenhill gardens or further on to Oasis Café, where the water gets a little deeper. 

The Fleet

The fleet lagoon is an area of water between Chesil Beach and the mainland and is a Special Area of Conservation. The area is beautiful and is a stunning place to paddle but it is important before you set off on this paddle you do a little planning. 

Firstly, the tide, you do not want to be paddling against the tide here, time it wrong and you’ll might just have to wait it out. Timing it with the tide so that it’s with you on the way out, the tide can flow through here at 8 knots, not something you want to battle against. We aim to do this at neap tides, when hightide is around lunchtime, as there is less tidal flow, it makes it possible to paddle against the tide on the way in. 

The other thing is the environment – it’s important that we respect the area to preserve the wildlife, staying away from nesting birds, and avoiding mud flats are also important things to consider. The mud poses a risk of getting stuck if the tide isn’t right, at only a couple meters deep, sticking to the deep channel by chesil bank after the narrows. 

While there is lots to consider, if done sensitively, it’s a beautiful paddle, which often includes litter picking in areas not easily accessible.

There is lot of information to be found here to help with planning or alternatively speak to a local instructor to get advice. 

Bowleaze Cove to Ringsted

A really beautiful paddle for more confident paddlers – launching at Bowleaze cove you can follow the coast around to the left along the cliffs. With hidden beaches and a shipwreck, a little further around the coast.

The coastline is untouched and beautiful but definitely and adventure for a day with no wind as the water can change quickly so be sure to check the forecast. 

This adventure can be as long as you want to make it, 2 miles, 6 or even further if you want to head past Ringsted bay. 

Just be sure to check the wind forecast, tides and take safety precautions – wear a PFD, take a phone and only within your ability

Something I asked about often is tips for beginners, in fact many of you voted for this blog piece but before I get any further with this blog, I want to remind you that I’m no coach. So instead I wrote this for myself, for the slightly scared, apprehensive but excited individual I was when I first started SUP. You see, I was worried what people might think of me, I was nervous about failing or falling too much but above all about making a fool of myself.

TIP 1 – GO FOR IT!

This might seem like an obvious one but it is so easy to procrastinate. Despite always wanting to try paddle boarding, it actually took me over a year to actually take the dive. I’d spend time watching others paddlers, wanting to try but make excuses on why i couldn’t do it. drop that fear and commit to it – it might be the best thing you can do!

TIP 2 – FALL IN

For some of you, that might be a given… it was for me anyway, the idea of standing seemed impossible at the beginning. For others, you might find it easier to stand up and stay dry but falling in helps us learn so much more. My coach says, if you don’t fall your not trying hard enough.

Just remember, fall 9 times, get up 10.

TIP 3 – FIND A FRIEND

Join a club or even just a facebook group but finding someone to buddy up with can be a game changer. Not only does it make it safer but it makes it so much more fun – i’ve never laughed so much as when i’ve been learning a new skill with friends. Then when something goes right, it’s like having your very own cheer squad. For me, this has been such a huge part of falling in love the sport.

TIP 4 – GET A LESSON

Now many of you might put this as number 1 and if i knew, what i did now, i’d put this as number one too. The thing is, i’m writing this for people who like me, think the idea of a lesson to start is too intimidating. If i waited till i was ready to take a lesson to start, i probably would still be waiting BUT Lessons are invaluable. If you have already paddled a little they can correct your technique and if you go for a lesson to start off with, you won’t have bad habits to break. It’s 100% worth it.

TIP 5 – GET COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE

You see, the best things come from moving out of your comfort zone. You soon become comfortable in what was once something you couldn’t imagine for yourself. I actually love being a beginner because every day you see a little more progress!

TIP 6 – ENJOY IT

You can find endless videos and different advice on technique. You might post a picture of you and be bombarded by advice, especially in some of the Facebook groups – take it with all with a pinch of salt. If you’re looking to improve technique, get a coaching session but really when all is said and done – If you’re enjoying it, you’re doing it right.

Now you might think that these aren’t that helpful, they’re mostly about attitude rather than skills but for me, getting my head in the right space has been the most important part of the journey. You see, while many blogs will tell you how to get up, how to hold your paddle or the best paddle technique – none of this matters if you don’t have the confidence to get out there and try it.

As you fall off over and over or you challenge yourself to paddle further, each time you’re improving and although it can be frustrating, incredibly so at times, at some point you will look back and realise just how far you’ve come, how much you’ve improved and maybe how much you’ve learnt about yourself.

For me, the lessons SUP have taught me reach much further than I ever imagined – it’s not just about the board and the water. – it’s about confidence, resilience and drive to do more. But hey, if you’re reading my blog you’ve probably already realised that!

Hi I’m Sarah! 

I started paddling this year and I fell in love with this wonderful sport, joined a club, upgraded my board (twice!) and fell head over heals for everything SUP.💙

As it gets colder, I found it increasingly challenging to find kit in women’s sizes. Most brands only go up to a Women’s UK16 and as a UK size 18, barely plus size, I’m excluded from purchasing from the leading brands. It turns out, that’s a challenge that lots of women are facing, based on the messages I’ve received! 

Paddle boarding is a wonderful sport, one which has been beneficial for both mental & physical health. The community has been nothing but welcoming and inclusive and I feel strongly that the kit should reflect that so I started campaigning for change.

That’s when #PaddleKitHerWay was born – calling for manufacturers to improve their sizing so more women can enjoy the sport. I’m also passionate about challenging other societies norms because we can be strong and healthy regardless of our size. SUP has shown me that finding a sport you love, means you can enjoy exercise for no other reason than you absolutely love it – your body doesn’t need to be changed!

So what can you expect from this blog?
Everything paddle boarding from kit to skills but much more. I’ll be sharing about my mental health, body confidence and other women’s stories after all ‘We rise by lifting others’! Let me know what you think and I can’t wait to meet you all!