Black Crow Paddleboarding

Learn a little about us and why we are passionate about working with Dementia.

Hi, I’m Steve the owner of Black Crow Paddleboarding. I think it’s important you hear about us and why I decided to start this company as it may not be what you think.

A little personal info about me. I have spent the last 30years working within the fitness industry and outdoor education industry. During all of this time, I am passionate about helping people, whether that’s been reducing anxiety for people using gyms or taking kids on fantastic expeditions into the wilderness.

As my mother got ready for work 5 years ago and unbeknown to us at the time, those final few moments of normality would be the last we would ever have again. Later that morning, my mother was to experience a life-changing Brain Haemorrhage that rocked the heart of our family to its foundations. After a long time in ITU, and with all the love and support surrounding her, Mum fought back well – even being fit enough to come home and live independently. Two and a half years into her recovery, however, we had another devastating diagnosis – she had developed breast cancer. This is the moment I decided to become Mum’s full-time carer, I sold my house, left my career, moved back in, and well, here I am today! To end this little vignette on a cheerful note, after battling through all her health issues, my lovely mum is now doing ok. What a woman!

Part of mum’s long-term prognosis is vascular dementia, and although it is not too bad at the moment, it has given me a good insight into the physical and emotional challenges faced by long-term familial carers. I have first-hand experience of the isolation and loneliness of being relied upon 24/7. This was particularly emphasized during shielding while being confined to the house and just longing for normal conversation!

By the time lockdown was over, I was itching for a way to get back outdoors and BREATHE again! I’ve always been drawn to water sports and Stand Up Paddleboarding seemed a great new activity to try. I bought a board, took the plunge and I haven’t looked back. Since then, my love of the sport and enjoyment of teaching has led me to qualify in SUP instruction, and I really can’t wait to bring the joy of this activity into other people’s lives.

I am extremely lucky I can get a couple of hours each day to take part in this, but I also realise that for other carers this is a very hard thing to do. So, I decided to do something about this.