Paddler Spotlight: Kate Allatts
Kate has found solace, strength, and a renewed sense of peace, purpose, and community through paddleboarding.
Fifteen years ago, Kate’s life changed in an instant. At 39, she suffered complete paralysis following a rare brainstem stroke. Once an avid fell runner, covering 70 miles a week, she was told she would never regain her physical independence.
But Kate refused to accept that. At Ogston Sailing Club in Derbyshire, she worked with instructors Katie and Chris to achieve something she once thought impossible: standing on her board. Throughout three sessions, they helped adapt Kate’s stand movement. With every session, Kate grew stronger, and the SUP community became vital to her life.
Words by Kate Allatt
I had my first lesson in May 2024. I considered it for two years but wasn’t confident enough to give it a go until I actively decided to pivot my life. I wanted to do something active, challenging, yet peaceful. Paddling seemed to provide me with all those things, so I took the plunge, literally!
Katie and Chris at Ogston Sailing Club were extremely patient and videoed the standing action on my phone to embed it in my brain. I was re-wiring my brain all over again! That’s exactly what I did at 39 to bring back to life every nerve, sinew, and muscle in my body in the hospital.
Then, I had an ‘I will not fail’ mindset. I still have it. So think it. Dream it. Try it. Fail at it. Then try it again. You can’t but achieve. It’s a simple strategy that works. It’s not impossible, but I’m possible. Ogston Sailing Club has been a fantastic base for building my confidence and community. I live close to Ladybower Reservoir, which is stunning, and I plan to paddle at Runswick Bay, Beadnell, and Lake Bala this year.
The power of this community
My paddling tribe has helped me find myself again. They accept me for who I am – not for being disabled or for my past as a global advocate, but just as me. That’s the power of this community. I also think being labelled a ‘disabled paddler’ is a label I would be uncomfortable with. I don’t have that at Ogston; I’m just one of their SUP community members who enjoys the water with everyone else at the same time as everyone else.
Paddleboarding helped pivot my personal life, which was a bit stuck, unhappy, and lonely. I’ve been accepted and connected with paddlers who have become dear friends. When I discovered paddle boarding, I discovered a community that made me feel accepted and comfortable with the woman I am. I always felt safe with fellow young stroke survivors, but truthfully, I have always had a 70-mile-fell-runner mindset trapped in a less able, broken body since my stroke – a source of much anxiety over the years.
I imagine many people with an acquired disability have similar feelings. Most importantly, paddling has finally allowed me to enjoy a level of personal acceptance in my loss cycle.
I find paddling so peaceful, and it is mindfulness personified. I can’t think about any stress in my life because I’d fall off! Peace is a priority in what has been a very crazy life. The connection with nature allows me to take lots of landscape pictures, my other passion. Paddling also improves my coordination and balance.
The hardest thing is having the confidence to take the plunge. I’m very motivated, but I struggled with my confidence. One day, I was going to book my first lesson, but the next day, I convinced myself paddle boarding was a ridiculous pipe dream. Our biggest battle is with the tricks our minds play on us. So, my best advice is to silence the self-doubt by trying it. What’s the worst that can happen? You don’t have a second lesson?
Increasing inclusive engagement
Since connecting with Paddle UK and being a guest on the SUPfm podcast, my goal has been to support and help develop inclusive paddling among stroke survivors in the UK. I want to use my networking, speaking, and training to increase inclusive engagement in paddling. I hope the paddling community can help me.
Thank you, Kate, for sharing your story with us. If you’ve been inspired by Kate to try SUP, find your local club (https://gopaddling.info/blog/local-paddling-services/find-paddling-clubs/) or paddling centre: (https://gopaddling.info /blog/local-paddling-services/find-local-paddling-centres/).
You could be our next Paddler Spotlight feature!
We’d love to hear about your journey into paddling and the great work happening in the community. See how you can get involved and share your story with us here: https://paddleuk.org.uk/ share-your-stories-for-the-paddler-spotlight/.
SUP Mag UK 
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