In this month’s Paddler Spotlight, we caught up with #ShePaddles Ambassador, Ayesha Choud, about the annual Women's Regatta in Birmingham. This month, 12 teams took to the city's canal in an action-packed day of bell boating racing.
Now in its third year, the Women's Regatta brings together paddling hubs across Birmingham for a day of racing. It was established in 2022 to encourage women's participation on the water and provide them with an opportunity to race and enjoy the benefits of being on the water. The regatta continues to grow each year and has been a catalyst for more women taking up paddlesports in Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
Words by Ayesha Choud
On the 2nd of June, Birmingham hosted its 3rd annual Women's Regatta at Star City. Last year was my first year taking part in the regatta where I was a member of the women-only team, Peaky Blinders. One of Birmingham's community paddling hubs, Saheli Hub, asked me to join as they were short during competition several years ago, and after a brief health and safety and quick tutorial, I was away!
We didn't make the top three but I am naturally competitive, so I attended the sessions held by Saheli Hub over different locations in Birmingham to improve for next time. It was so much fun and I wanted to come back this year and bring new people along.
With the help of Saheli Hub, I brought together two fantastic teams; some had never been in a bell boat before. The community paddling sessions held at Port Loop have been giving women across Birmingham a chance to taste the fun of paddlesport. #ShePaddles Alumni, Aisha Garwood alongside Chantelle Lee also supported one of this year’s new teams, Wave Warriors, who formed from the South Birmingham Paddling Club.
As a #ShePaddles Ambassador I'd love to welcome women from afar and wide to join the amazing women of Birmingham. So in an effort to build confidence and experience, I offered training sessions in the evenings, which was so rewarding.
This year I introduced several new teams, Eyeconic; a team of Optometry and neuroscience students from Aston University and The Water Rifters; a group who met during the paddling sessions held by Saheli Hub. These teams were just 2 of the 12 who participated, and I am proud to say everyone did their very best and were champions on the day!
There were several under 14s teams, with timed races between two bell boats and the best of the two were up against each other in the next heat. There was fierce competition and last year's runners-up, Ninja Warriors, did not fail to impress. They won 1st place followed by Running Angels in 2nd and Wave Warriors in 3rd.
I want to be able to share my experiences and love of paddlesport so if you're based in Birmingham and would like to get into paddling, I'm sure we can find something suitable for you. You don't need any experience and almost everyone can take part. The Saheli Hub holds paddling sessions for bell boats and kayaks at Port Loop throughout the summer. More information can be found here.
There will be another Women's Regatta held on the 7th of July at the Edgbaston Reservoir in Birmingham. If you'd like to take part, please get in touch with me on Instagram (@ayesha_c23) or contact Nowka Bais. Event details can be found here.
Thanks very much to Ayesha for sharing more about the brilliant event with us. We look forward to seeing more racing in July.
Alongside the Women's Regatta, work is underway across the city to encourage more people onto the water through community paddling hubs along the canal in Nechells, Winson Green, Perry Barr, Aston and Ladywood and Selly Oak.
We'd love to hear all about your paddling journey, experiences and the great work happening in the paddling community. You could be our next Paddler Spotlight feature! Find out more about the initiative and share your stories with us. Or if you prefer, drop us an email at