Page 28 - Ceufad Autumn 2022

This

Girls W ORDS : SION ED THOMA S

Adventure
PHO T OS: AD AM J OHNS T ON E

This summer The Outdoor Partnership (TOP) launched their This Girls Adventure
program in the Swansea Bay region, with the help of Llandysul Paddlers. The program
has been a success in North Wales and TOP were keen to replicate this in the south, so
organised two initial sessions to get the program rolling.
"We went for 2 What’s the idea behind the program and what do How did you decide on a format?

you hope to achieve? With paddle boarding being such growing activity,
Introduction to Paddle The This Girls Adventure program has worked so I felt it would be a popular one. In addition, paddle
Boarding sessions; well up in North Wales and continues to do so, so boarding is a great activity that suits a range
it was very exciting to get the program started of people; you can sit, kneel, stand, or fall off
some had tried it before in the Swansea Bay Region. I live in Llandysul and swim around! We went for 2 Introduction
myself and feel there is a lot going on for children to Paddle Boarding sessions; some had tried
and Hannah Clements, and older people but not so much going on for it before and Hannah Clements, the instructor,
people ‘in the middle’. There are a lot of parents was great in giving these more challenging
the instructor, was that support Llandysul Paddlers Canoe Club but things to practise and she even had some doing

great in giving these don’t necessarily give it a go themselves, so I felt handstands! Being on the lake at Llandysul
our This Girls Adventure Program through The Paddlers gave everyone plenty of opportunity to
more challenging things Outdoor Partnership was a great opportunity practise, rest and chat as and when they needed.
to involve women from surrounding areas in We felt Friday night was a nice option as many
to practise and she the activities. Many of the people attending the of the people attending were mothers and giving

even had some doing session had wanted to give it a go for a while up a whole Saturday or Sunday can be daunting
when parenting, being a taxi driver, jobs, cleaning
but appreciated the female only session we had
handstands!" created with a female instructor and felt it gave the house or looking after the dog can be more
them a safe space to take part. important! It was great to take advantage of the

28 | CEUFAD