The Girly Guide to Watersports Instructing

Upon writing this I am undertaking a summer season In Greece instructing on the waterfront everyday. My experience ranges as a paddle sports instructor in multiple disciplines, canoe, still water kayak, sea kayak journeys and dinghy sailing mostly. I have broken the ice on paddling ponds and been sailing out whilst Mother Nature blew a gale across the Solent. I have instructed in the warm but changeable conditions of the Mediterranean Sea. Despite being in and around the water, personally and professionally, I do not know everything. I would like this writing to become a discourse, a source of knowledge for folks to use and share, I encourage you to share your knowledge in the comments.

Here’s to being a girls girl, to not ‘gatekeeping’ (as the youth say). Being on the water is one of the most humbling and rewarding things to experience. With it comes a lot of learning, about yourself, people and the natural world. All this along side what it means to manage being a woman on the water. I’ve complied a list of things both practical and holistic to think about. No matter the stage of your career I hope you can take something with you in your metaphorical B/A pocket.

I have broken the list down into 3 sections (3 is a magic number after all).

1. The first is hygiene, in this section I will discuss periods, things to keep in your instructor bag as well as holistic things to keep you feeling like yourself all season long.

2. The second section is knowledge, here will be all the things I wish I had known or ways to access the industry.

3. The final section will be kit, things I or my water friends have found useful to make life easier.

   
   

As is the nature of things some parts may blend into others, but I hope you or others find this a useful resource!

Hygiene

Let’s get straight to it and talk about periods. Managing them on the water can be difficult so here are some tips myself and colleagues have used to make your cycle feel more like a breeze! For more information on periods on the water or If you’re a Senior Instructor, build the conversation and understanding at your centres. Check out this video by Liz McMaster from the RYA (a personal hero of mine) speaking about building the conversation around periods in clubs and centres, it’s a great place to start.

Periods

• Neoprene Undershorts

On lighter days or if your period can manage it, free bleeding in some neoprene shorts (wetsuit shorts) can be a comfortable choice, especially if you are in and out of the water all day. whenever you take them off rinse them under a tap. Remember to take them home at the end of the day for a proper wash with a light detergent.

• Period Swimwear

As of February this year Wuka has teamed up with the RYA making them the RYA’s first period partner. I personally have never used the swimwear version but my fellow water sports pals have used the products whilst teaching. They have worn them both under wetsuits and in winter ‘drier gear’ and found them to work well.

• Using a MoonCup

This one isn’t for everyone. what might have worked for you may not anymore, I am definitely speaking from experience here. I loved this originally but found other things work better for me now. Using a MoonCup can take some getting used too but, it is a great solution for longer days on the water and a great waterproof solution to being in the water. Please check with a doctor before using products like this with an IUD.

• Using a period disk

Similarly to the cup the silicone disk is another great solution to being on and in the water. It can be more comfortable than the cup as it doesn’t rely on suction and is a great alternative to tampons.

• Communicate your needs

The final point on managing your cycle as an instructor spans more than the conversation around periods. Communicate your needs. If you are going day sailing or are running a paddle expedition what are you going to need in order to complete that job. Do not put yourself at risk, speak up and navigate a solution.

Hair Care

I don’t know about you but my hair is a pretty important way for me to express who I am. Throughout a season my hair will be battered by the sun and salt so here are some ways to keep that locks luscious!

• Leave in conditioner

Leave in conditioner is going to become your best friend. The heat, wind, sunshine and salt is going to strip your hair of moisture so replenish whenever you can with some leave in conditioner. I don’t wash my hair everyday at the height of season but I will get it wet and put in some leave in on it especially on the ends. I use the Shea Moisture, a little goes a long way.

• Saturate the hair in fresh water

I learned this one from a swimming instructor, Before going in the water (especially salty or chlorinated) saturate your hair In fresh water. let it soak in then go for a splash. It will prevent your hair from absorbing as much salt so it stays hydrated for longer.

• Plaits are you’re friend

Get good at plaits or make friends with someone who is ... A tight plait packed with leave in conditioner will prevent knots and keep your hair protected and hydrated.

Skin Care

• SUDOCREM

you have chafe - SUDOCREM

You cut your leg - SUDOCREM

You got sunburn - SUDOCREM

You got a mozzy bite- SUDOCREM

Dry skin - SUDOCREM

Buy a big pot and keep it in your bag…. I promised, you won’t regret it.

• SPF 50+

I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH…WEAR SPF 50+. Trust me the season is short but the effects of the sun last forever. Put on factor 50+ everyday and protect your skin. It will reduce wrinkles, rescue your risk of skin cancer and stop signs of aging… ladies if you want to feel really tan buff it in from a bottle….

Knowledge

• Use your memberships

If you are a member of the RYA, read their newsletters and make use of your memberships. A lot of the time there are local CPD events that you can attend, free of charge as a member! I attended a Sailability workshop at the start of this year and it was fantastic, as well as the RYA dinghy show. The same goes for paddle UK. If you’re paying for it, make the most of it.

• Read

Read the professional content from your industry whether it’s sailing, paddling or a niche off shoot, absorb information. Branch out to other things like climbing and see what they are using for debrief techniques or group management tools. So much is transferable so don’t shut yourself away to one sports understanding.

• Share

Share your knowledge and experience with senior staff, see where you can make changes. Equally share your knowledge with less experienced staff, is there a way you can input your skills could you, run a workshop? Bethan and Bex both senior instructors of mine imparted so much knowledge about the industry onto me and I’m still so very grateful and still sharing their advice on.

• Find work on Facebook

Finding work can be overwhelming. Join Facebook groups in your chosen field. There are plenty out there, which post multiple times a day looking for particular instructors. Be wary and always check who you are contracting before you jump straight in. Facebook is a very useful tool.

Kit

• Buy second hand

As a multi discipline instructor branching from climbing to sailing. let me tell you good outdoor kit is expensive. Buy second hand, a lot of the time people buy kit they have no real use for and sell on in good condition. On that note, don’t be that person you don’t need everything to be a successful instructor. Slowly build your inventory of stuff that actually works for you. If I’m using the kit everyday for work I don’t mind if something has a few nicks or bumps in. I have bought through Vinted and had success every time. be wary and do your research. Equally there are some outdoor shops that have a second hand resale attached for added security.

• What works for them might not for you

Finding equipment that does what you need it to do can be tricky. In short don’t buy what the boys say is great straight away, try it then see. Buoyancy aids isn’t one fits all when it comes to comfort and use-ability. The same goes for wetsuits and dry suits. Ask to try on kit and shop around before committing. You’re in this stuff all day, Comfort is queen…

• Good BA that fits properly

A good comfortable BA that does what you need it to do is a game changer. I used to not be so fussed when it came to my BA. However, over the years having pockets In the right place and a need for a more ergonomic design has been dire. If you have any recommendations for a buoyancy aid please let me know!

• Buoyancy aid snacks

On the theme of buoyancy aids… Number 1) it must have multiple pockets. Number 2) BA snacks, bring bits on board to snack on whilst you teach. The water can be tiring and being on top form so you can react quickly as well as teach to the best of your ability means fuelling correctly. I like to take some graze mix (NO NUTS) and breakfast bars.

• Try before you buy

TRY ON, I’ve said it already a couple of time but being comfortable is essential. Sensory feelings can really put me in my head so having comfortable kit that I’m happy spending big chunks of time in is paramount.

• Metal water-bottle and a flask

Plastic heats up when it sits in the base of a boat. Now I know the Nalgene is trendy and all, but practically for me it doesn’t work. A metal bottle that keeps my water cool plus a flask that keeps my tea hot is just what I need. Go Outdoors do a good selection, there is no need to buy the most expensive Stanley.

• Water bottle with stickers….

Yes because I design and make them but also because they make me really happy. Having a decorated bottle means more often than not it comes back to you when it inevitably gets left somewhere. It’s fun to be promoted by the stickers and share a few stories too. Big fan of the stickers... keep an eye out on my page for some updates on this front.

Thank you for taking the time to read, please share which folks who might find this useful and please leave any of your tips in the comment section. I hope this becomes a point of reference.

Good luck to all of you, that are midway through your Summer season. My fingers are also crossed for everyone looking for work or places on instructor courses starting out there instructor journeys. Keep up the good work girls…

Lots of love

Jasmine