Q&A with Sancha Myall of Saltbirds SUP

Posted on February 13, 2024 by thepaddlerezine in A chat with…, Interviews, Women's SUP // 1 Comment

Saltbirds is a community group for women who love SUP, nature and a need for adventure. They organise free SUP social paddles across different locations in safe conditions to support and encourage paddlers of all abilities. If you have your board, you can go to any of their scheduled paddles to share your knowledge and favourite paddle locations. It’s a place to ask questions regarding the latest safety recommendations, SUP techniques and SUP challenges. We caught up with the founder of Saltbirds, Sancha Myall, to learn more about her and the group.

Before we start, let our readers know a little about yourselves, your background, etc.
I’m a Dorset girl who went backpacking at 19 and returned 12 years later with three children and Australian citizenship. I’ve never lived further than a few miles from a coastline. I have an addiction to the outdoors, whether on the sea, river or up a hill. My happy place is in nature.

When and how did you get into SUP?
It was early Summertime in 2016. I had already seen people paddling in 2015 and knew I wanted to try. I had finally reached a point in parenting where I had little me time, which I needed. So, I booked a lesson in Lyme Regis and loved it! I went home, found a secondhand Red 10’8 board and never looked back.

How did you feel the first time on the water?
Energised! It ignited my need for adventure again and in an achievable way for a mum with a few hours of freedom. I found it so peaceful and relaxing, but at the same time, I was burning my energy and exploring locations within the school run.

Can you describe what it was that made you want to continue to develop your SUP skills?
My need for new paddling locations that often came with different and sometimes challenging conditions made me realise that I needed to educate myself better. I wanted to train as an instructor to gain self-confidence, knowledge, and better water safety skills.

What qualifications have you achieved, are what are you aiming for in the future?
I’m a qualified BSUPA Instructor and work with my local British Canoeing Club providing SUP safety classes. So, I plan to become a British Canoeing trained Coastal/Inland SUP leader.

You started to race; why was that? Please give us a rundown of what you’ve achieved.
Can we reword this? I do not really race – I am not brave enough.

OK, so you started to enter challenges; why was that? Please give us a rundown of what you’ve achieved.
By this point, I was completely addicted to paddleboarding. It felt like I needed to prove something to myself and maybe my family as to why I was spending so much time doing it. I wanted to see how far and for how long I could paddle with the bonus of paddling in new locations. I’ve entered the Head of the Dart, SUP the Creek, SUP bike run and my absolute favourite, the Trent100.

Racing or recreational SUP – any preference?
Recreational 100%. I am happy to achieve my own goals and support others.

You started Saltbirds SUP, has the growth and success of the group taken you by surprise?
OMG yes! It’s been a fantastic few years with so many fabulous memories. I have witnessed many people push themselves and grow their confidence; it has been really rewarding. Saltbirds is now a registered community interest company. So, we can continue providing free weekly social paddles and advice on equipment and locations: affordable SUP safety skills sessions and Blue Mind Therapy.

What are your plans for Saltbirds in 2023?
We have the HotD, Trent100 and a Cornwall SUP weekend in September.

The weekly social paddles and monthly SUP safety sessions start in April. We always welcome people to join us, so if you’re heading to Dorset on holiday, look us up!

And for yourself?
I am super excited to be ticking one off a bucket list this year. In June, Shanna, my crazy SUP buddy, and I will be paddling/wild camping on the Caledonian Canal. We will be driving up from Dorset to Fort William, then paddling the Caledonian Canal in 2/3 days and hopefully fitting in the three peaks as well. We will raise funds for Mind UK and Saltbirds CIC to buy much-needed new equipment.

When preparing for challenges, what qualities do you look for in a fellow teammate?
For me building a team for a long-distance challenge is about finding a group that shares the same level of determination – the same hunger to prove something and a good balance of humour. On the Trent100, we group whoop-whoop loud for every kilometre and, at low points, had everyone playing alphabet games.

What would you say to women who have been tempted to try SUP but have been put off for a variety of reasons?
Just do it! Find a location you’d be comfortable learning, whether on the sea, river, or a lake. Book a lesson, trust your teacher, and ask them all your questions and concerns.

Another thing I’d like to add is there are so many free social groups around the UK which are great for meeting like-minded people and exploring different locations and a brilliant point of contact for advice. Search your social feeds and find one near you.

If you had to choose one last thing you wanted to achieve within SUP before giving it up, what would that be?
I want to enter the SUP 11 city tour, maybe next year!

What’s your favourite water in the UK for SUP?
I’d have to say the Jurassic Coast. We have many stunning destinations from Old harry rock, Lulworth Cove, Weymouth Bay, Lyme Regis, Seaton and my local with its stunning red cliffs West Bay.

What’s the one river that would be on your bucket list?
The Dordogne in southern France. I’d love to paddle camp the length of it and explore some amazing castles en route.

What drives your passion for SUP?
The constant need to find new SUP locations and all the fabulous people I’ve met from paddling.

Would you like to become a ShePaddle ambassador for British Canoeing at any time in the future?
Absolutely! What they each represent and bring to the female SUP community is fantastic.

How do you achieve a family/SUP balance?
As a single mum with three kids, it’s always been hectic. A drop off here and a pickup there, so find a SUP spot in-between. My kids also understood that mum was better for burning some energy and chilling out paddling for a few hours so that they would encourage it. When they were younger, they’d come paddling with me. My two daughters will join me occasionally, but my son has always preferred the surf.

I can honestly say my children have been my biggest support.