Retirement!

So here I am, September 2024 and retired! How exciting – new beginnings I wonder what will evolve?

I sampled this group and that group and some of the other too… MMMMM! Nothing seemed to

quite fit! I had discovered some activities that were definitely enjoyable, but I didn’t feel I’d found my community.

Tired of exploring my new beginnings I headed across the world to visit my family as planned.

Whilst immersed in wonderful granny duties and surrounded by family I began to consider my

retirement adventure again.

A while before returning to the UK I remembered a time I had met a group of women kayaking in Teignmouth whilst I was sea swimming, we bobbed around chatting and I was introduced to the idea of Teignbridge Canoe Club, and how I would be able to hire a boat and equipment and join some adventures! Most of all I remembered their enthusiasm and open friendliness.

With that reflection in mind, once again I (tentatively) decided to reach out to a club to explore

what they had to offer. In truth, I wasn’t expecting much! So, with that in mind I I sent an online

enquiry.

Toddler cake baking was next on that day’s agenda! Flour everywhere, laughter and copious

amounts of mess from floor to ceiling was interrupted by the ring of my mobile! Well……….NO

one rings me in New Zealand? – so I didn’t answer but sent a message enquiring as to who it

was????

It was Dom a committee member from the club welcoming me to the club with a friendly manner and info on how I could join a taster session. My communication was most probably a bit tentative putting blockers in the way… ‘I have no experience, what if I can’t do it?’ …but nothing seemed a problem and I was encouraged all the way to my taster night.

7th May, a date that’s etched into my positive thought box. Taster night!

Warm smiles welcomed me, by members who even knew my name, I was given information to help get me safely on the water with a boat and equipment to suit me as a total newbie, lots of laughs and encouragement made the evening a winner.

What a great community, I loved every moment even though I was unsure of how my kayaking skills may or may not progress. I went home and joined the club immediately and scheduled club nights in my diary. Yes, I was going to commit.

I am writing this nearing my one-year anniversary of being a member of the club and it has been a total joy. I have surprised myself in so many ways. I have gained some paddling skills on sea, rivers and even a bit of white water! Who’d have thought it? Definitely not me! I am also keen to get involved in the club behind the scenes as I have become aware of how much work goes into training, planning and facilitating great club adventures.

So, all that’s left for me to say is ‘a big shout out for Teignmouth Canoe Club for being such a great community.’