ACTIVE
What’s SUP? Stand-up paddleboarding – or SUP – is the fastest-growing watersport and lots of fun. Whatever your age, build or fitness, have a go!
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fortunate enough to see porpoise, seals and dolphins. Sipping ne of the many joys of hot chocolate and dunking cookies from a paddleboard paddleboarding is whilst watching shooting stars and witnessing magical that it allows you to focus on nothing else but your natural phosphorescence – ‘sea sparkles’ as my customers like to surroundings, embracing the call it – is an experience that stays in the memory forever.” Remember, SUP is not without risks and you should take fresh air in your lungs and a appropriate risks and you should take appropriate safety new perspective from above precautions and follow the water. Sian Sykes, owner of Psyched Paddleboarding professional guidance. The best based on way to start is Stand-up pa to take a course. Anglesey said: ddleboardi ng uses every muscl “It’s a joy e in your bo dy taking people Get psyched! “We’ve been for a paddle Psyched fortunate enough along this Paddleboarding to see porpoise, stunning coastline. It’s a chance for them to offers Learn seals and dolphins” switch off, reconnect with nature and to SUP, SUP themselves – and most of all to have fun!” Progression Stand-up paddleboarding uses every muscle courses such as in your body, from your feet upwards. You Advanced Flat can make it as easy as you want: pootling with friends for water and Advance Moving a social, paddling with your pooch (dogs love it!); the more Water, Sea SUP Skills, SUP flexible might try yoga, and for the adventurous there is SUP instructor courses, magical surfing, winging (with a sail) and touring. Sian is known for her night tours, guided tours and expeditions, as she was the first to paddleboard solo all the expeditions. For full details Sian Sykes of Psyched spe nt two months paddling the Wel way around Wales – a 1,000km journey offshore and inland and prices, visit their website sh coastline that took two months and involved wild camping on beaches. at psychedpaddleboarding. Sian loves taking others out on the water. “We’ve been com
Getting kids on track As the nights get lighter, local bike enthusiasts are celebrating the news that the North West area is set to receive more than £3.4 million to get more youngsters in the region out on two wheels
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he North West will receive £3,436,148 to help more children learn to cycle with the Bikeability scheme as part of a record £20 million investment from the Department of Transport. It will be used to deliver cycle training for children and families in the initiative that has trained more than 3.6 million children since 2007. This funding has the potential to deliver half a million training places for children and their families across the UK, supporting even more people to introduce active travel into their everyday lives. The funding will ensure even
more people are equipped with the skills, confidence and knowledge to cycle on our roads. The Bikeability Trust is continuing to offer bursaries for those wanting to join the industry as an instructor. This will help the Trust achieve its ambition of offering cycle training to every child.
Local legend in the lead
The funding will enable more parents and pupils in the North West to leave the car at home and choose cycling for short, every day journeys. This all comes as the Department
“The Trust is offering bursaries for those wanting to be an instructor” for Transport recently launched Active Travel England, the Executive Agency tasked with driving up the quality of cycling and walking routes, led by former Olympic cyclist and local Wirral resident Chris Boardman. Visit www. bikeability.org.uk
offer y Trust aims to The Bikeabilit ild ch y er training to ev
cycle
May/June 2022 | SHIRE MAGAZINE 99
