After having a canoeing injury and starting university both at similar times, I moved away from sport and threw myself into my studies.

After finishing University last summer, I decided it was time and the perfect opportunity to get back into sport; particularly water sports.  As well as wanting to get back into canoeing I fancied something different but something which would challenge me and get be back in the outdoors again.

After returning from university I found the Stafford Sub-Aqua Diving Club after doing a try -dive whilst on holiday in Malta with my brother.  I loved the fact that I could breathe underwater and I wanted to pursue this sport further. Once I returned from holiday I started studying the theory elements and the start of my qualification so that by the summer when it would be slightly warmer I would be prepared to do my open water dives. However, last weekend my brother and I went up to Lancashire and we did our first open water dive in a Quarry, in the pouring rain, which realistically was a lot colder than when we were in Malta. I went down to around 16m, it was very dark and slightly scary the deeper I went, but it became easier and was a lot of fun which culminated in a forward rolling on the top of a sunken Van.  I have one more open water diver to become a qualified ocean diver and then I can do more dives, gain my Sports Diver qualification and hopefully dive abroad in warmer water.

This weekend still continuing with the theme of water sports I went over to Tamworth and tried paddle boarding for the first time, which was scary but in a different way.  It was quite a windy day and I didn’t want to fall in and wanted to stay on top of the water this time.  After some encouragement from the very friendly instructors at SUP Central and determination from myself I stood up and didn’t fall in! It was great to be outside even on a very windy day and was a full body workout especially with the balancing part. It was a very enjoyable hour and great way to spend a Sunday morning and I guarantee I will be booking another session soon. I highly recommend paddle boarding.

The best thing about these sports is being in the outdoors, giving myself a sense of achievement with each one and proving to myself that I can do it!  So, remember, try it you might even like it.

Stafford Sub-Aqua Diving Club – https://www.staffordscuba.co.uk/

Central SUP, Paddleboard Club Tamworth – http://www.centralsup.com/