Big thanks to Will at Inclusive Paddleboarding
How one interview on this substack helped introduce Regent's Canal to a more inclusive approach to paddleboard coaching, writes Nicola Baird
I met Will Behenna on Insta and then over Zoom back in May. My plan was to interview him for this substack, see here. But Will generously suggested that I took one of his stack seats to trial on Regent’s Canal over the summer.
Of course I said yes!
It’s been a great experience having a composite, specially designed seat for paddlers. And it’s made our offer so much more inclusive. Paddleboarding is a way of getting on the water which doesn’t have to involve standing up. As Will says why is it called “stand-up paddleboarding when it’s not called sit-down canoeing?!”
At sup at Islington Boat Club we get all sorts of paddleboarders, some very able, right through to the very nervous and many aged 50+. But until Will lent me his stack we weren’t able to help anyone injured or stiff have a comfy time on the water. And that’s not fair.
“I want to keep on driving the agenda that paddleboarding should unpick the stand-up bit,” says Will.
With Will’s Inclusive Paddleboarding ethos - he wants everyone to be able to paddleboard - we’ve seen people with temporary ankle injuries, arthritic knees and other wobbly issues have lovely sessions on the water.
What’s so great about Will’s exclusively designed stack seat is that you can sit on it in a variety of ways.
“I want to develop equipment that can get different and diverse people paddling and give that to the paddleboard community,” says Will.
It’s not just a chance to sit on top in a secure kneel and paddle alongside other paddleboarders, there’s also the option to have one or both legs bent/stretched out and to support yourself into a stand (if that’s what’s wanted).
At Islington Boat Club on Regent’s Canal we’ve found that users of his stack seat can stay comfy and paddle at the same speed as other paddleboarders in the group for quite long distances (1-2km along the canal) right from their first paddle.
We also found this stack brilliant when litter picking. Often seeing the Inclusive Paddleboarding stack seat option made a keen litter picker, whose knee condition had left them feeling resigned to staying on the towpath, decide to have a go on the water. And in an inner city we need all the litterpickers we can get!
As an added bonus the stack was light enough for me to fix over my shoulder and cycle a couple of miles from home to the Regent’s Canal.
Perhaps the best part of collaborating with Will has been our chats. He has so much sport coaching and sport fundraising experience and has generously shared this with me. It’s been incredibly helpful. it’s so easy to get stuck just paddle coaching when what’s really needed is detailed plans for the next season, sorted and funded way in advance, if you have dreams to make paddleboarding more inclusive.
So, here’s a huge thank you to Will. Good luck with your 2025 plans for Inclusive Paddleboarding which will surely see many more stacks and people happy and comfy on the water.
Find out more
Follow Will’s Instagram @Inclusive Paddleboarding
Facebook @Inclusive Paddleboarding
Will’s email is will@inclusivepaddleboarding.co.uk and contact number 07813 641958
Nicola Baird (based in London) has written a very funny novel about paddleboarding. If you want a novel that is filled with splash and tell then pick up NOT THAT DEEP. To buy the ebook for £3 or the paperback for £10 use this link. Enjoy!