Olympic gold medal winner Etienne Stott meets three inspiring women and hears about their paddling adventures.  Jo Moseley calls herself a joy encourager, a mid-life adventurer and a beach cleaner.  In August 2019 at the age of 54 she became the first woman to Stand Up Paddleboard coast to coast from Liverpool to Goole.  She called it Paddleboard the North and raised money for two charities and picking up litter along the way.

Jo's a single mum, empty-nester and this journey was a voyage of personal discovery.  Jo wants women, especially of her age, to feel welcome on the water.  She feels women can become disconnected from their bodies but she's proud that she lifted her board in and out of more than 90 locks on the canal to give her a confidence that spreads into everyday life.  For 11 days she felt the most 'me' she'd ever been.

Emma Kitchen returned to the water after going through a tough few years in her life and is back loving the white water.  She really wants more women to get into paddlesport and wants to tell everyone why the water can be great for mental and physical health.  She calls it escapism in a busy world.  Emma used to go paddling with her dad and joined her local canoe club.  But fell out of the sport for 19 years before returning a couple of years ago.  She also goes SUP'ing and is setting up a community club in Castleford.

Jo and Emma are both proud Women's Paddling Ambassadors for British Canoeing.  And they're joined by Cadi Lambert, who leads the #ShePaddles programme for British Canoeing.  For Cadi, it's much more than a job.  It's a complete passion.  She's driven to help other women to return to the water or try it for the first time - whether it's on a board, on a raft or in a canoe.  And then helping women to get where they want to be in the sport such as becoming a coach or leader.  

The guests discus access, the environment and rubbish on the riverbanks.  We hope you enjoy it!

If you want more details on anything in the podcast or to find out about ShePaddles then here are some contacts:

www.britishcanoeing.org

You can find Jo Moseley on twitter 

@healthyhappy50
@OneHappyRower
and at www.healthhappy50.com

Cadi can be contacted at 

cadi.lambert@britishcanoeing.org.uk