Del Likes Kayaking -

My Euro Open 2025 – from behind the scenes!

Post author By Del
Post date September 8, 2025
2 Comments on My Euro Open 2025 – from behind the scenes!

At the end of August, Holme Pierrepont in Nottingham came alive with the splash and spirit of the 2025 Euro Open – a beloved freestyle kayaking event that’s been a key date in the paddling calendar for years. This year was extra special: not only did we host the British Freestyle Championships alongside a whole range of fun novice events, but we also welcomed the Euro Cup, drawing a vibrant crowd of international paddlers from across Europe.

Since River Legacy and GB Freestyle took over the reins from James Ibbotson last year, my husband Tom and I, alongside a brilliant team of committed friends, have poured our hearts into organising this event. This blog is my personal reflection on the weekend: part organiser, part participant, and full time enthusiast of any event that brings people together over their shared love of kayaking. I hope this article brings a smile, a memory, or maybe even a spark of inspiration. Please do share your own favourite Euro Open moments in the comments!

events Trips

Surf, Slalom and Shooting Stars: The Palm Groms Big Weekend

Post author By Del
Post date August 28, 2025
1 Comment on Surf, Slalom and Shooting Stars: The Palm Groms Big Weekend

Over the August bank holiday weekend, a group of young paddlers travelled across the UK and beyond to come together and live their best lives in South Wales. These paddlers were hand picked to attend the first official Palm Groms get together. Over 5 days, they tried slalom for the first time, surfed the infamous Bitches tidal rapids, and bonded as a group of young people united by their passion for kayaking.

I was lucky enough to be involved in this get together and saw first hand just how special this group is and also how transformative the experience was for them. This article introduces the newest Palm Groms and recaps a get together that made waves in every sense.

General

5 Reasons to Join the Kayaking Club When You Go to University

Post author By Del
Post date August 20, 2025
No Comments on 5 Reasons to Join the Kayaking Club When You Go to University

Thousands of students are currently preparing for their next big adventure: going to university. If you are one of them, you might be wondering how it is you might find your people, your passion, and your place during your time at university. This article is a recommendation from me to you to join your university’s kayaking club!

Whilst taking a year out to study abroad in New Zealand at Auckland University, I joined Auckland University Canoe Club. It changed my life for the better and I haven’t looked back since. At 20 years old, I found my passion and my place in this world. I made lifelong friends and finally found a community where I belonged. I was always be eternally grateful to the beautiful people I met through this club.

Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned paddler, I’ve written this article to persuade you why joining your university kayaking club could be the best decision you make this September.

Trips

A 2025 Summer kayaking adventure in Austria

Post author By Del
Post date August 14, 2025
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After a brilliant kayaking trip to the French Alps in May, I was already dreaming of another adventure. I sent a message to the various kayaking group chats I was in asking if anyone was keen for another trip this Summer and received a reply from my friend Joe ‘Someone’s been back at work for half a day 😂’.

Luckily I also had a few other replies and by August, six of us were off to Austria for a week of alpine kayaking. This is my article to tell you all about it!

events Freestyle

Freestyle, friendships and fun: The GB freestyle kayaking academy camp 2025

Post author By Del
Post date August 11, 2025
3 Comments on Freestyle, friendships and fun: The GB freestyle kayaking academy camp 2025

Picture this: 38 teenage kayakers, a week of white water, and a campsite buzzing with energy. That’s the GB Freestyle Kayaking Academy Camp at Holme Pierrepont (HPP). It is become an annual summer event that blends freestyle kayaking, friendship, and pure joy. Now in its third year, the camp continues to grow, and I’ve been lucky to be part of the volunteer team that runs the camp each time. Here’s my behind the scenes look at the 2025 camp.

events

Tryweryn Festival 2025

Tryweryn Festival (T-fest) is one of my favourite annual kayaking events and one I try hard not to miss! A weekend which encompasses fun events, lots of kayaking and plenty of time to catch up with friends. This year saw the festival happen a little earlier at the start of the July. It’s a busy time of year for me hence why this write up is a little later than usual. If you were at T-fest this year, I hope you had as much fun as me. If not – perhaps reading this article will inspire you to get yourself a ticket for next year!

Trips

My first ever kayaking trip to the French Alps!

Post author By Del
Post date June 15, 2025
1 Comment on My first ever kayaking trip to the French Alps!

When I would tell people that I had never paddled in the French Alps – they always seem surprised! The area around Briançon in the French Alps are a well known kayaking destination for kayakers of all abilities and yet I have never seemed to have gotten myself there. Finally, after 10 years of kayaking, I can now finally say that I have kayaked in the French Alps! I’ve just had the most lovely first time trip to France with friends. It exceeded all my expectations and I can now see why people make this trip annually! This article is to tell you all about it!

General

Celebrating 100 Kayaking Articles: My Top Picks & Reflections!

Post author By Del
Post date May 18, 2025
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5 years ago I started writing this blog. Like many people in 2020, I suddenly had time to spare. I’d been thinking about starting a blog for a while but lockdown finally gave me the chance to make it happen. This is my 100th article! To celebrate, I wanted to share some reflections about this blog as well as sharing with you some of my favourite articles I’ve written over the years. So grab yourself your favourite snacks, sit back and read on!

events ShePaddles

ShePaddles Cymru 2025 at Plas y Brenin

Post author By Del
Post date May 13, 2025
2 Comments on ShePaddles Cymru 2025 at Plas y Brenin

Sunshine and smiles seems to be a reoccurring theme at the Plas y Brenin ShePaddles Cymru weekend! This is my fourth year in attendance for this event as a Pyranha Kayaks ambassador and as always, the 2025 event was awesome! I left the weekend feeling sore in my body and happy in my soul. I met lots of wonderful people whilst having a great time out on the water and am so pleased to have been able to join again this year. Do read on if you want to find out more about what we got up to!

Mind set

A Fear Of Failure In Kayaking: How A Growth Mindset Can Help Your Progress

Post author By Del
Post date May 5, 2025
No Comments on A Fear Of Failure In Kayaking: How A Growth Mindset Can Help Your Progress

‘I can’t do this.’ ‘I’m bad at kayaking.’ ‘I’m never going to learn.’ Sound familiar? If so, this article is for you!

When learning a new skill, progress starts strong, but sooner or later, improvement slows, and frustration sets in. That’s when mindset makes all the difference. Over the years, I’ve become fascinated with how a fear of failure, often linked to a fixed mindset, holds people back in kayaking. In this article, I explore how shifting to a growth mindset can help break these barriers.