Sarah Blues - The Joy of Movement, #PaddleKitHerWay, Loving her Race Club and Being Braver Artwork

The Joy of SUP - The Paddleboarding Sunshine Podcast

Sharing the joy of stand up paddleboarding. Join us for inspiring conversations with dream guests talking about all the health, happiness, friendship, adventure and possibility that SUP brings to our lives. From world endurance record holders to SUP Yoga, SUP with a Pup to SUP Surf, we will hear uplifting stories and fantastic information to help you on your paddleboarding journey. SUP has given our host, Jo Moseley, so much joy, confidence, courage and community since her first lesson in the Lake District in 2016 recovering from a knee injury. She became the first woman to paddle coast to coast across northern England, fundraising and picking up litter, has been in magazines, on the tv, radio and a guest on many podcasts. The film about her journey called Brave Enough - A Journey Home to Joy was launched to critical and audience acclaim in 2021. She has made two short award winning films about paddleboarding and written many articles. Having experienced such happiness and wellbeing, her goal in launching the podcast is to shine a light on the brilliant stories of others in the paddleboarding community and to share valuable ideas with her audience. It is both a thank you letter to everyone who has inspired, welcomed and encouraged her and a love letter to the wonderful sport. At the heart of the podcast is the idea 'We rise by lifting others' and that's what she is here to do - to welcome, encourage and celebrate you in the paddleboarding community. Whether you are dipping your paddle in the water for the first time, want to explore new places or disciplines, or have years of paddleboarding memories, you are in the right place and this is the podcast for you. The Joy of SUP - bringing paddleboarding sunshine to your world. Find out more at www.jomoseley.com Email: thejoyofsuppodcast@gmail.com Twitter @healthyhappy50 and #TheJoyofSUP + #TheJoyofSUPPodcast. Instagram @thejoyofsuppodcast_ #TheJoyofSUPPodcast Please do get in touch!We are very grateful to BluefinSUP for sponsoring the current season of the podcast.

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The Joy of SUP - The Paddleboarding Sunshine Podcast

Sarah Blues - The Joy of Movement, #PaddleKitHerWay, Loving her Race Club and Being Braver

January 08, 2021 • Jo Moseley • Season 1 • Episode 5

I'm so thrilled to introduce Sarah Blues to you. I discovered her on Instagram after I had shared details about being part of Sport England's This Girl Can campaign and Sarah commented on my post. I was struck immediately by her commitment to support other women who wanted to enjoy paddleboarding safely and comfortably and her #PaddleKitHerWay campaign. Sarah completely embodies one of the themes of the podcast that 'we rise by lifting others.'

Sarah lives in Weymouth, Dorset by the beach. She grew up there and her family life revolved around the sea and the community. Her father was second coxswain on the RNLI Lifeboat and Sarah gig rowed and swam in the sea.

She moved away from Weymouth for university and lived in Hertfordshire for 10 years. Her job is in marketing and communications. She returned to Weymouth just before the 1st lockdown in the UK and took up SUP in summer.

She immediately fell in love with SUP and everything it gave her in terms of confidence and a place to unwind. She first thought it would be a summer sport but loved it so much that she wanted to continue in the winter months.

However, as it got colder, she found it increasingly difficult to find kit that would keep her warm and safe. Most brands only go up to a UK size 16 in women's ranges and as a UK 18 and around 6ft tall, she felt very excluded from the leading brands. They simply didn't have the range she was looking for.

Sarah realised that if she was finding it difficult to get the right kit, then other women would be facing the same problem, but no one was talking about it. She set up her Instagram account @plussizepaddler to share her own story and encourage other women to share theirs. She realised that kit sizing and design was a barrier facing many women who wanted to continue to paddle in the winter months but felt they couldn't.

Rather than give up, Sarah set herself a mission to campaign for kit that fits and works for women over size 16. She shares inspiring stories and is spreading her message in the media. She was recently featured on British Canoeing's channels.

In this wonderful conversation, Sarah also shares how she has learned to enjoy exercise for herself and as a way to look after her body, noticing how she has improved her skills and her achievements. Her confidence has grown and she feels braver.

Sarah also talks about the impact joining a supportive club - the Dorset Race Club - has had on her life since returning to Weymouth, bringing her friendship and focus. This has inspired her to set herself a huge LEJOG SUP challenge in 2021 since recording our episode together.

You can find out more on her Instagram page @plussizepaddler and her website www.plussizepaddler.com.

109 Watersports is https://www.facebook.com/109watersports

Dorset SUP Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/777479452629450/

McConks https://mcconks.com/

Thank you for listening! I do hope you enjoyed the podcast. If you have any questions or would like to suggest a guest please get in touch! My email is thejoyofsuppodcast@gmail.com and our Instagram page is @thejoyofsuppodcast_. Follow #thejoyofsuppodcast on Twitter and Instagram too. On Facebook we are TheJoyofSUPPodcast. The website is www.jomoseley.com

Wishing you sunshine and joy, please always put safety first and thank you for joining us. See you again soon, Jo x @thejoyofsuppodcast_