MY PADDLEBOARD JOURNEY - HOW SUP CHANGED MY LIFE

Jo shares her paddleboard journey of how SUP changed her life - from the Thames Estuary in Essex to a life of SUP adventures in New Zealand...

Where it began

I first started paddle boarding seven years ago, living by the sea in the UK. I loved every moment of being on the water, feeling like I was dancing on water. When I think of this time, I picture the starling murmuration’s, the seals swimming around my board, the evening paddles with the sky turning from blue to vibrant sunsets to moonlight paddles. I hear the waves lapping, the geese chattering away and I hear the peaceful sound of nothing.

I had a busy corporate job in the city of London and I worked hard, commuted to the city and spent long hours at my desk. I used to run and cycle as my physical outlet to this fast-paced lifestyle, but a knee injury put a stop to that. I was getting frustrated and annoyed whilst I was looking for something I enjoyed to replace these activities with, that was low impact on my knees this time.

Why do I love paddleboarding?

Paddleboarding became my time to switch off, to connect with nature, to put life and work stresses into perspective. I came off the water feeling euphoric, more relaxed, less stressed and happier. It helped me find a better balance in my life, and I knew I was hooked!

Blue spaces (oceans, lakes, rivers) have been recognised for their mental health benefits for some time. The soothing sounds and sight of water, being around nature, the colour of blue itself even, have been proven to give your mind a boost, it doesn’t surprise me that the sea is the most powerful blue space for your wellbeing, followed by lakes and then rivers. For me, that relates to the open expanse and horizon line, which gives a sense of openness and being able to breathe.

So, what next…

So, I knew that I needed paddleboarding in my life for good. I had made all the classic mistakes as a beginner - my paddle round the wrong way, my paddle being far too long, no safety kit and not enough knowledge of the perils of the sea. I love pushing myself, and after a few months of paddleboarding I found myself in the Head of the Dart challenge - on my knees in strong gusty head winds, wondering why I couldn’t keep up. It was time to get serious about learning technique so I wasn’t the one being overtaken next time. I wanted to do the overtaking.

I was so keen to learn how to make paddleboarding integral to my life – to give me a physical workout, to explore new places from the water. I joined a SUP race club, had some SUP lessons, swotted up and soon was off enjoying adventures further and faster and in more challenging conditions. I was hooked. SUPSECT opened my eyes to what paddleboarding could be – racing, adventuring, relaxing, social, a real sport and way of living. I paddled all over the UK, looking for new spots to take my board and explore, and bring my friends with me along the way, and making new ones as I went.

Then it got serious…

Fast forward to a time of covid, when we were all locked down at home, unable to enjoy life the way we wanted to. I worked in Corporate Responsibility helping businesses be more responsible and sustainable, so it was a busy time for me working from home to help Lloyd’s respond to the pandemic with its charitable initiatives. I was itching to get outside and on my board and help others welcome paddleboarding into their lives. My close friend Hayley and I were out paddling together or alone as much as we could within the restrictions, sharing our locations and experiences with social media. We were offered a spot along the River Medway in Kent, a woodland setting with access to this beautiful river, to set something up. It was  an incredible opportunity and we wanted it to be the ones that took it. We knew we had the drive and passion to go for it and the story of the Paddle Cabin began.

We spent six months getting ready to open the Paddle Cabin, getting our SUP Sheltered Water Coach qualifications (which was hard at a time where training was cancelled a lot or delivered remotely). We learnt how to run a business, build a website, operate a watersports hub, clad a cabin (that was fun!). We opened our door nervously on the 1st May 2021, hopeful to get sixty local paddleboarders in our first year joining our community as members, and ending our first year with 400! We loved being on the water, introducing people to the magic of paddleboarding, seeing their lifestyles change for the better. We chatted to SUP Junkie and BBC Radio Kent about our first year about how we both quit our jobs, learnt so much and grew in confidence as business owners. Paddle Cabin flew from the moment we opened the cabin door.

Fast forward two more years of introducing thousands of people to paddleboarding, opening their world to the possibilities of where paddleboarding can take you. We went to over 30 places with our paddlers, developed skills, laughed endlessly, empowered our paddlers and watched friendships blossom – our community were thriving. It was magic, it still is magic. But I was feeling restless.

Adventures afar were calling…

After our first year of the Paddle Cabin, my partner ended our relationship abruptly and unexpectedly and I was devastated. My mental health plummeted. I sunk into depression. I grieved the loss of our relationship and the ones I had with his two daughters. It was the lowest I had ever been. The Paddle Cabin became everything to me, and I threw myself into it even more. Friends, our community, counselling, were all integral to building myself back up again, and I was craving the freedom to explore new places for myself to feel like me again.

As someone who has lived overseas in Botswana, in Oz, travelled South America for nine months, volunteered in Sri Lanka – my wings were feeling a little clipped in Kent, and I knew that I needed to spread them. I wished I could scoop up what we had created and place it down where I wanted to live. Choosing to leave this business I was so proud of was the most difficult decision but I have learnt to trust and act on what my gut tells me - my personal happiness overruled.

I knew that I couldn’t be away from the ocean for too long. I was craving that feeling of being able to breathe that I only got being on the coast. When it was calm and serene, when it was wild and howling. I was desperate to be immersed by mountains, oceans, to have incredible scenery on my doorstep to explore.

I found out that New Zealand changed their working holiday visa age from 30 to 35 and my head was spinning with excitement. I was already 35, I had three months to apply and get the visa approved if I wanted to go. Could I do this? I listened to my needs and I knew I would regret it if I didn’t go. I got the visa, sold everything and within three months, was on the plane feeling like I knew this was the best decision for me. I left knowing that the Paddle Cabin was going to go from strength to strength and flourish even more with Hayley leading the way on her own with our amazing team.

Paddle boarding changed my life

I headed to Nelson with my Red Paddle Co board, I didn’t know a soul, but I knew that Nelson ticked all the boxes for what I wanted on my doorstep and I felt excited. It suited me down to the ground. I love the beach here. I love the wild mountains framing the city.  I love the adventurous mindsets of those that live here. I love the friendly Nelsonians who have opened their arms to me. I love the adventures here on my doorstep to push me in the outdoors. I am excited to paddle for me as well as helping others. Excited to explore this spectacular county with my paddleboard – pushing myself with multi day expeditions, in surf, on moving water, in colder conditions. Thanks for letting me share them with you in my SUP travel blog. I landed on my feet with the awesome team at Moana Paddle Nelson, with Tahunanui beach and Tasman bay as my office and the coolest crew to work with. We had an awesome summer of fun the water and I am excited to see where the journey is going to continue to take me!

So, I started on the estuary in Essex, fitting paddleboarding around my life. Fast forward seven years, and it’s taken me to New Zealand, where paddleboarding has become my way of life.