Do you ever feel challenged when it comes to building your paddling community?
I get it. Community doesn’t always just “happen”—and sometimes, even when it does, it takes a good dose of courage to step into it.
The other day, while reflecting on the Ottawa River (I’d be there right now if I weren’t healing my back), a story popped into my mind that reminded me of just how powerful community can be.
The Eddy at Garb
I remember pulling into the eddy at Garb—one of my all-time favorite waves on the Ottawa.
And there they were. A crew of paddlers who happened to include several current and former World Champions.
Even though I’d paddled with most of them before (and am a former Worlds medalist myself), I’ll be honest—I felt a twinge of intimidation.
But then the energy shifted. Hugs, high-fives, cheering. Suddenly, I wasn’t just around them, I was with them.
Still, I was struggling. I couldn’t catch the wave. I kept relying on an old, ineffective strategy. And even though I knew I needed help, it felt vulnerable to ask. My ego wanted me to keep trying alone.
Finally, I swallowed my pride and asked Abby and Emily for advice. Without hesitation, they shared their wisdom. Their tips were game-changing—I started catching the wave consistently. The next day, I had the best rides I’d ever had on Garb.
That’s the power of community.
When you surround yourself with supportive, skilled, and inspiring people, your confidence grows—and doors open you didn’t even know were there.
What We Get Wrong About Community
Here’s the truth though: I didn’t magically appear in that eddy with World Champions.
I chose to be there. I showed up. And once I was there, I took the leap to engage, to ask questions, to connect.
It wasn’t comfortable. At first it was intimidating and vulnerable. But if I had shrunk back and stayed quiet, I would’ve missed the breakthroughs, the laughter, and the joy of those rides.
That’s what so many of us get wrong about community. We think it should be easy and comfortable. The reality? Building community takes courage—the courage to reach out, to be seen, to be vulnerable.
But when you do, the payoff is extraordinary.
Your Invitation
If you’re ready to build your paddling community, I’d love to invite you to join the Mind Body Paddle Community.
For only $97/year (until September 1st), you’ll gain access to a circle of women paddlers who are supportive, inspiring, and courageous—just like the crew I paddled with on the Ottawa.
Here’s what you’ll get when you join:
💬 Access to our private FB group
🛶 Early registration for Women’s Paddlefest
🎓 40–50% discounts on private instruction, coaching, and other programs
📚 A library of recordings from ALL of my webinars (4+ years worth!)
📖 Community book clubs, on-water meetups, and members-only webinars
💜 And most importantly—a place where you truly belong
👉 Click here to join today for only $97/year and step into the kind of community that will lift you higher—on and off the water.
Because just like catching Garb that day, the ride is always better when you’re surrounded by your crew.
