024 Inclusive Paddleboarding with Will Behenna

Creating Active Lives

In this week's episode I speak to Will Behenna about inclusive paddleboarding. Will discusses his background in disability sports and adventure, particularly after sustaining a spinal injury in 1988.
We discuss:

• inclusive paddle boarding
• the challenges of outdoor adventure
• perceptions and mental barriers
• customized seating and support
• the mental health benefits
• the physical accessibility of sites and the freedom if can bring

This is a powerful conversation about inclusive sports and fitness and the opportunities it can bring for all.
About Will:
I've been developing Disability Sport/Adventure, since sustaining a Spinal Injury back in 1988. I was the first Wheelchair user to obtain a Degree in Physical Education and Sport Science from Loughborough University back in 1995. This gave me a valuable insight into the lack of awareness regarding Disability Sports Development.
Starting my career as an Assistant Leisure Centre Manager, I progressed into Disability Awareness Training and then into Disability Sports Development. This culminated in me setting up an Inclusion Consultancy Business, where I specialised in developing programmes like the Inclusive Fitness Initiative. I spent over a decade working as a Content Creator, Tutor and Advisor in the field of Physical Education.
Outside of work I travelled extensively and worked on numerous Outdoor Adventure programs. Although I've competed in a number of sports at a National and International level, being on the water has always been my passion. I currently work as a Counsellor supporting children in schools across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch and have plans to develop a Coaching Service supporting men’s emotional well-being.

https://www.ripplerebels.co.uk/seated-and-kneeling-inclusive-paddelboarding

About Sarah:
Sarah Bolitho helps fitness and health professionals develop their careers and grow their businesses by providing specialist training in teaching, assessing, and internal quality assurance, together with qualifications in exercise referral and disability.

With over 30 years in the health-related fitness and physical activity fields, Sarah has a wealth of experience and knowledge. She has worked in most roles in the industry from group exercise to personal training but specialised in working with specialist populations. For over 25 years Sarah has trained fitness and health professionals to work with clients with long-term conditions, mental health issues, disabilities, older adults and pre/post-natal women. She has a post-graduate diploma in exercise and health behaviour and extensive training in supporting behaviour change. She has worked with awarding organisations to develop qualifications and training and with accreditation bodies to endorse high-quality non-regulated training.

In her spare time, you will usually find Sarah walking in the mountains, by the sea or anywhere in nature.

For more about the training and support Sarah offers, visit www.sarahbolitho.com or contact her at [e-mail].
Follow her on social media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabnewlous_active_lives
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitnesscareer mentor
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbolitho