This journey started Christmas 2021 when I asked Rob for Paddle boarding lessons as my present. We were all just coming out of COVID (Kinda, we were all locked down still) and I was just starting my journey into maybe, just maybe, becoming a bit more adventurous and pushing myself. I had discovered a fantastic podcast (The Good Glow) the summer before and listening to other women talk about how to live well had inspired me. I had come out of the summer focused on getting fit for life and that Christmas present was going to be the start of something. However, it didn't happen quickly. Due to the world being on shut down for so long I resigned to the fact that it would happen eventually but didn't push for it. Little did I know that summer 2021 would be so awakening. Late spring I had some open water swim coaching (you can read about that journey here) and it was actually that which enabled me to get on a paddle board. I was feeling full to the brim of enthusiasm for the water and the plan that I'd had at Christmas that year was playing out in a way I had never anticipated. I got on the water at Activities Away in Lincoln and had my first ever paddle board lesson there, alongside a very eager and confident Raph. I was petrified of falling in (midway through the open water coaching at this point) but had a blast and came off the water and said to Rob: "We are buying one of those things". Now, before you think, "Wow, money to burn or what." There are not many things I jump to invest in quickly. I immediately knew though that this was for us as a whole family. It would be a priceless piece of equipment for a water loving family and I knew it would bring great opportunities. I asked if I could get a board for my birthday (mid summer) and he said yes!
Fast forward a few months and after some more plays on paddle boards with family it was a pretty sure thing that we were purchasing one. Summer 2021 came and like most, holidays were cancelled and a purchase of a paddle board was made!
It was out almost immediately, back at the lake in Lincoln, out on the Lincolnshire coast, down to Cornwall, and then it got packed up for winter.
May 2022. I was on Instagram one evening when up popped a favourite page EBB & FlO who are a paddle boarding and ocean saving company based just north on the Lincolnshire Coast. I have followed them for a long time, always being drawn to Toni's attitude towards the water and mental health. Her posts had always captured me, but that night I found myself looking at an opportunity that I knew instantly I wasn't going to miss. I immediately booked onto to Ebb & Flo's first ever SUP & Skate course. A day dedicated to learning to Paddle board and learning to longboard skateboard. What me, SUP and Skate, I'm 34, I am in a good place, I can not say no.
It is safe to say that the experience was a complete success. Never have I been in a situation where we almost immediately became a fully supportive team. Instantly we were there for each other. All nervous but all willing to be a cheerleader to each other. The day was not only a huge success for Ebb & Flo but for us individual women. We all came away having experienced something really special.
Within the day Georgia introduced us to Longboarding. It is skateboarding but on a much longer board which gave you more of a glide than a traditional skateboard. In fact, I would say that is the biggest difference for me. With skateboarding there is this element of speed and quick feet tricks and with long boarding there seems to be this elegance and gentler approach. (I say all that but people race on long boards too😂).
This was the first time I have ever skateboarded. My brothers and my younger sisters all did it but as a previous highly strung perfectionist I couldn't ever cope with the idea of embarrassing myself so never did it. Going into the day all I really had anxiety about embarrassing myself but thanks to the welcoming and caring attitude of the team of women I found myself in, that feeling passed and I actually got on a board and learned something. And boy, much like my first paddle boarding experience, I was instantly hooked.
I came home late that evening, after not wanting the day to end and I couldn't even converse the magnitude of what had happened that day. I will forever be grateful to Toni from Ebb & Flow and Georgia for being two very inspirational women who both seek the joy in the same way I do.
The very next day, I went and got an old skateboard out of the shed and Rob and I skateboarded the kids to a club. They could not get over it. In fact, that one action completely influenced Etta and ever since, she really skateboards. In fact for me, she is the epitome of a cool skater girl, she just jumps on and flows. That was all I needed to solidify me purchasing a new long board via Georgia, it made sense to buy one and love it.
It has took a while for it to come but my new Luca Longboard arrived from UK shop Slide Perfect. Georgia got me in contact with Bohdi from SP who made up my whole board so that when I took it out the box it could be ridden immediately. I am so thankful for this as I just haven't got a clue where to start and it was their guidance that got me my lovely new board.
Emily Xx
