A woman from Peterborough has said paddleboarding gave her the confidence to overcome a lifelong fear of water.

Suzanne was invited by her friends three years ago to join them for a paddle. She repeatedly turned down the invitations from her friends to try stand-up paddleboarding because she couldn't swim and hated anything water-related.

After finally agreeing to give it a go the following year, everything changed.

She said: “The following year, they invited me again, so I decided to give it a go. I instantly fell in love with it and bought myself an iSUP. The peace and quiet, and being in nature, bring me so much joy. However, I still had a huge fear of the water.”

“Fast forward to just over a year ago, I started swimming lessons. At 54, I can now swim freestyle breast and backstroke, and am much more confident on my board. I swim 2 or 3 times a week, I have joined a SUP club and get out on my board as often as I can.”

Suzanne believes paddleboarding has not only taught her a life-saving new skill but has transformed both her physical and mental well-being.

She said: “When I'm out on my board, my heart feels full. I feel at ease, and it brings me so much joy.

"Paddleboarding forced me to learn to swim, which has given me a new skill, but being on the water with all the sounds of nature is the biggest draw. It's an opportunity to switch off the tech and just experience peace.

"I've made new friends, I've joined a club and online community, learnt to swim and found a love for the water. There is no other feeling like it: the wildlife, the cool water on your feet, the tranquillity, watching the light through the trees. It's just a great opportunity to switch off from the world for a little while and take life at a slower pace."

She now paddles almost every week, often enjoying relaxed group trips with lunch stops at waterside pubs, taking advantage of the calm waters and scenic riverbanks, at her favourite spot, Yarwell Mill near Peterborough.

According to Paddle UK, stories like hers are becoming increasingly common as more people discover paddlesports not just as a way to exercise, but as a way to build confidence, improve wellbeing and reconnect with nature.

Rich Ramsdale, Head of Recreation at Paddle UK, added: "Paddling encourages people to slow down, disconnect from everyday pressures and enjoy the natural world around them. Whether you're 24 or 74, it's never too late to try something new. With the right guidance, equipment and support, paddlesports are accessible to far more people than many realise."

Find out more about Paddle UK memberships at https://paddleuk.org.uk/membership/.