Shilpa Rasaiah - Paddle boarding on a SUP board from London to Nottinghamshire, 165 miles (and 144 locks) along the Grand Union Canal.

Shilpa in her own words:

 

“I'm a British Indian gal who is about to hit 60 and feel that I am really only just starting to explore the wonderful joy of outdoor adventures. 

 

I am happiest when I'm on the water on my paddle board, or cycling along a canal, or walking in the beautiful English countryside, or body boarding in Cornwall. 

 

I leaned to swim in my late 40’s and this just opened up a whole new world of paddle sports. 

 

My biggest personal adventure was this summer (2022) when I paddle boarded on a SUP board from London to Nottinghamshire, some 165 miles (and 144 locks) along the vertical length of the amazing Grand Union Canal. 

 

This was such a joyful journey and revealed so much about myself that I had not been aware of - particularly how much I love to meet new people and how caring and kind strangers are. 

 

Since then I have been exploring SUP journeys where I carry my camping kit on my SUP board and I absolutely love doing this. 

 

I am extremely grateful to British Canoeing who accepted me as a #ShePaddles Ambassador and this really helped me to go out of my comfort zone and explore new adventures.”

 

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Show Notes

• Who is Shilpa
• More about her friends and family
• What Shilpa was like as a little girl
• Growing up in Africa until 8 years old
• Moving to the UK and the culture shock
• Finding a different type of entertainment
• Not having dreams or aspirations as a young girl
• Leaving school to study economics and accounting at University 
• Retraining as a town planner
• Getting back into the outdoors and sports
• Meeting up with friends to go for walks in the local area
• Setting up a local walking group which has been going for over 20 years
• Building up her walking gear and kit
• Learning to swim in her late 40s
• Not having the opportunities when she was younger
• Learning how to cycle 
• Going to adult only swimming classes to get coaching
• Doing wild swimming for the first time 
• Getting into kayaking and water sports
• Her first experience on a paddle board
• Why she prefers paddle boarding
• Her adventure in Summer 2022
• Becoming a British Canoeing #ShePaddles Ambassador 
• Wanting to encourage more women to try water sports
• Deciding to do a long distance trip on the Grand Union Canal 
• Knowing it was the right time to do the challenge
• Being honest with herself of what she could and couldn’t do 
• Doing it at her pace 
• The planning and preparation for the journey 
• Researching the route and figuring out distances and accommodation
• The Pirate Castle - boating and outdoor activities charity on the Regent's Canal in the heart of Camden Town, London 
• Struggling with her back and recovering from injury
• Being helped and supported along the way
• The kindness of strangers and when strangers become friends 
• Joining a gym and working out with a personal trainer
• Focusing on getting strong
• Dealing with injury
• Cupping 
• Reflecting back on the journey 
• Feeling more confident
• Plans for 2023
• Learning new skills and becoming qualified as a coach
• Becoming a She Paddles Club
• How to connect with Shilpa
• Final words of advice - “you'll never know if you love it or not until you try it”

 

Social Media

 

Website https://sbcpaddlers.wordpress.com 

 

Instagram @sup.loving.shilpa