Leeanne Mackay: I've been paddling for around 5 years now after trying it for the first time in New Zealand and absolutely falling in love with the feeling of freedom that it gave me. I love paddling along the coast in Nairn; there is so much to see and the connections I've made through the sport are incredible. I now run a small SUP business and I thoroughly enjoy supporting people to achieve their goals. Some say they'd just be happy to get onto a board and then by the end of their lesson they have mastered paddle strokes, prone paddling, stood up and completed some fun tricks as well and the smiles on their faces make my heart burst with joy and fulfilment. 

This year I completed my SUP Yoga qualification so I've been teaching this in order to support people to slow down, connect to themselves and embrace blue space to support healing from any trauma. The effects of being in, on or around water provides calming effects on individuals and so I am always promoting water sports, and I'm very much looking forward to being involved in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Equality Group as this is something that's very close to my heart. 

Jenny Newland: I joined the Mental Health and Wellbeing Equality group as I am interested in both the mental health and wellbeing of paddlers as well as promoting paddling for mental health and wellbeing.

Personally I have had 2 incarnations as a paddler - once as a younger adult which began in my student days, followed by a lengthy break (around 17 years) and then a return to paddling as a mature adult.  Second time around I have been much more interested in how we go about things, our skills, our mental processes and our paddling related experiences. This has led me down the coaching route and I am now a white-water kayak coach. Professionally I am a psychotherapist and I hope to be able to integrate both sets of skills to foster greater understanding of and support for mental health issues in the wider paddling community.

Emily Bowie: I started whitewater kayaking as part of my University club in 2017, and enjoyed exploring rivers in Scotland and the Alps. These days I prefer more slow moving water and lochs! Kayaking has provided me with many opportunities for personal development, and I am excited to be part of Equality Groups so that I can help to make kayaking and watersports accessible to all, so that everyone has access to the opportunity to participate, regardless of their background, gender, race, or any other factors.

Anouska 'Noush' Duffy: Hi, I’m Noush and I love playing on and in the water having grown up near the coast.  I love being on the SUP due to its versatility and accessibility.  Stand Up Paddleboarding has given / gives me the opportunity to see things from alternative perspectives, connect with diverse places and people, and build my confidence in different environments.  I’m delighted it has become recognised in British Canoeing. 

I started working in Outdoor Education after a life changing event when I, myself, discovered the positive effects of being with and active in nature and the outdoors.  This led me to working with people from complex and difficult backgrounds, supporting them with their personal development utilising outdoor environments and activities.  I primarily focus on intersectionality and unconscious bias in the outdoors and how this affects access to outdoor and adventurous activities.

I joined the Mental Health and Wellbeing Equality group because we all have mental (and physical) health.  Research demonstrates, however, that stigmatisation and prejudice have significant impact on one’s mental wellbeing, therefore I am keen to support and collaborate with other groups and organisations to engage and take action in reducing stigma, discrimination, and prejudice.

Jon Lloyd: I am based on the Isle of Mull and run a small sea kayaking guiding social enterprise which works with visitors and the local community alike. I am really interested in how outdoor activities promote wellbeing both in terms of  mental health and outdoor activity. The twin pathways I have been working with over the last 20 years or so have been supporting people with their mental and emotional wellbeing and Outdoor Ed. I have worked as a counsellor and am undertaking mindfulness teacher training at the moment. I really believe in the power of being curious and connected to ourselves, others and the natural world to stimulate positivity and restorative within the people taking part. I would like for us as providers and participants in paddlesport to find ways to intentionally include measures within sessions that boost emotional wellbeing whether its stopping for few minutes to enjoy an awesome view, providing opportunities for individuals to connect to each other or even just raising awareness of how we can foster wellbeing in ourselves and others.

Rab Wallace: 

I started my paddling in the early 90s with the military. I experienced some amazing canoe and kayak expeditions in Canada, Germany and Austria. I transitioned to Paddleboarding in 2010. Being a parent of an autistic and disabled child led me down the path of supporting Disabled and Neurodivergent Adaptive Paddling. I am really keen to extend these areas of interest through my membership of the SCA Equality Groups. 

Kirstin Grant: 

Hi I’m Kirstin, I have been paddling for around 10 years, falling in love with Stand Up Paddle Boarding in particular. Throughout these years I have paddled both abroad and in Scotland. I have also been part of the team that delivered SUP expeditions at various locations in the Highlands of Scotland to young people, supporting them as they developed new skills, resilience and ultimately the completion of their Duke of Edinburgh Award. Recently I’ve shared my passion for paddling by supporting mental health and wellbeing sessions to colleagues through the Police Scotland Paddlewell initiative and have found this to be incredibly rewarding and of huge benefit to them and their overall wellbeing.

Living on the coast at Nairn I’m either in, on or near the water every day, whether that be paddling, swimming or kite surfing. I have a huge passion for helping others and I’m very excited to be part of the SCA Mental Health and Equality Group.