More than 20 residents joined the four-week programme, sponsored by Peabody, to get to grips with new water sports. The group worked with paddlesports club The Sharks, based at Southmere Water Sports & Activity Centre, to try canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding.
Participants ranged from four-year-old children to over-60s. Local resident Jenny Cohen and her two children were among those who took part.
Jenny said: "I'd never done kayaking before. I thought it was a good opportunity to get more active and something a bit different to do with the family.
"I attended all four weeks and I loved it. I tried kayaking and canoeing, and preferred kayaking because canoeing was harder work!
"I've enquired about how to do more sessions in the future because it was really good fun."
Another participant said: “My son has some undiagnosed SEND needs, so I am sometimes unsure how he will manage new environments or activities. However, the session felt very inclusive and welcoming, and he absolutely thrived.
“He was completely in his element! He loved being out on the water and spent so much of the session laughing, smiling and interacting with the other kayakers as we all made our way around the lake. It was lovely to see him so engaged and comfortable in the environment.”
The project was part of Peabody’s plans to encourage residents to make more use of Thamesmead’s lakes, canals and outdoors spaces during safe, instructor-led activities.
Khadeja Chowdhury, Peabody’s Health and Wellbeing Project Officer in Thamesmead, said: “Many residents didn’t know water sports activities were available on Southmere Lake. Others had a fear of getting out on the water.
“For many of those involved, it was the first time they had taken part in paddlesports. With the help of The Sharks’ instructors, they found it was easy to pick up how to navigate their kayaks and paddleboards on the water in a safe environment.
“Many residents said they enjoyed it and would love to do more water sports activities in the future.”
Residents who are interested in joining future sessions or finding out about other health and wellbeing opportunities in the town should email khadeja.chowdhury@peabody.org.uk.
