Saturday 19th May 2018 was a busy day in England. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married, the FA Cup Final took place and most importantly, the British Canoeing Women’s Paddling Ambassadors were launched!
The ten ambassadors come from a wide range of disciplines and take part at all levels of the sport. One thing they all have in common is their bucketloads of enthusiasm and the desire to inspire more women to go paddling!
We had lots of great applications, from a wide variety of wonderful women, to be a part of our ambassador team. It was hard to choose just ten people but some applications really shone through with their genuine passion for paddlesport.
– Cadi Lambert - Go Canoeing Engagement Officer
The ten women chosen as British Canoeing Women’s Paddling Ambassadors are Fi Corfe, Addi Man, Erin Bastian, Amy Blaker, Pam Philips, Kimberley Woods, Shena Mathers, Clare Osborn, Deborah Kerr and Kate Clark.
Over the next year the ambassadors will be spreading the word about the benefits of getting on the water and attempting to break down some of the perceived barriers to more women getting into and progressing through the sport.
Our ambassadors will be a fantastic voice for the life enhancing benefits, challenges and opportunities that paddlesport brings. By sharing their stories through social media, British Canoeing channels and within their communities we hope to build the number of women within the sport.
– Cadi Lambert - Go Canoeing Engagement Officer
Feedback from the Women in Paddlesport engagement day in February, coupled with research from the outdoor industry highlighted the need for more female role models, telling their real stories through a variety of channels.
Throughout the year British Canoeing will be sharing ambassadors stories of their journeys into canoeing and kayaking. They will also be active members in the British Canoeing Women’s Paddling Community Facebook group. You can join them in spreading the
Our ambassadors, coupled with the newly appointed Women’s Engagement Advisory panel, will be helping to raise the profile of the sport as well as shape future plans to encourage more women into paddlesport in England.
– Jenny Spencer - Go Canoeing Development Manager
