Funding For Paddling Projects

Giving back to the paddling community is an activity we are proud of at Paddle UK. One way we do this is by providing funding for paddling projects. You can find out more about our key funds below.

The Paddle UK Club Coaching & Leadership Bursary

This bursary is designed to provide financial support to clubs that want to develop their volunteer workforce through qualifications and training.

Priority is given to qualifying new and emerging coaches and leaders who will help broaden the club activity programme. Look out for news stories on the website as to when bursaries may become available.

Stronger Together Fund

Thanks to an exponential growth in membership, the 3-year Stronger Together Fund has enabled Paddle UK to support great projects to help deliver on its vision and ensure paddlers can achieve their sporting and recreational ambitions in safe, high quality and fun environments.

Projects range from training staff to deliver on the water sessions for new paddlers to improving access to paddling within under-served and under-represented communities.

The funding is empowering grassroots community initiatives, promoting paddlesports and broadening access to paddling. Look out for news on the website announcing the next funding round.

Stronger Together Fund Project Examples

All Aboard Watersports

Location: Bristol

Grant Total: £6,345

The grant has enabled All Aboard Watersports to cover the cost of a Paddle-Ability instructor for one session per week for 30 weeks each year, for three years, plus the purchase of specialised paddle equipment. In the first year of the project, they delivered 25 sessions to local paddlers. The specialist equipment has made a big difference to the comfort and stability of paddlers in the boat.

Aspire & Succeed

Location: Birmingham

Grant Total: £8,800

Aspire & Succeed has used the grant to purchase kayaks and equipment, and to train staff and volunteers as paddle sport instructors and bellboat helms. The project has reached over 300 people from diverse backgrounds, with over 80% of participants being from Asian or Afro-Caribbean communities.

Ripple Rebels

Location: Dorset

Grant Total: £7,500

The funding will support Ripple Rebels' innovative project that promotes inclusivity in stand up paddleboarding. It has allowed the group to purchase stable boards and create seated and kneeling supports.These supports aim to enable individuals with physical restrictions, such as low confidence, chronic illness, age, or disability to paddle comfortably.

Nowka Bais

Location: Birmingham

Grant Total: £7,680

Nowka Bais CIC, is a community organisation based in Birmingham that promotes Bangladeshi culture and heritage through water-sport activities. The grant is supporting the Nowka Bais CIC's paddle-sport project, which aims to introduce and develop paddle-sport in East Birmingham, particularly among the South Asian community. Offering regular sessions of bell boating and kayaking at Star City on the Grand Union Canal, as well as other venues across the city. They have already reached over 500 participants since May 2023, with a diverse and inclusive profile of gender, ethnicity, age, and disability.