Gill Ryan - Overcoming Fears, SUP with Children, Fab Photography + SUP Friendships

I am so thrilled to welcome Gill Ryan to the podcast!

Gill lives in a town in Hampshire on the South Coast surrounded by water but this doesn’t mean she grew up as a water baby, in fact the opposite. She tried SUP in the summer of 2019 and instantly fell in love and SUP soon became a big part of her life. There was just one challenge and that was getting over her fear of the water!

Being married and a mum of 2, Gill loves nothing more than getting her family out on the water with her, she even got her over 70 year old dad out in a kayak for the first time in decades. Gill tells us all about preparation and patience she uses to take her children on the boards!

In 2020 Gill became an Ambassador for three fantastic companies; Bluefin, Stand Clothing and Yak Paddling Adventure Equipment and in recent months has also taken on the role as a Community Guardian for Planet Patrol with her friend Kerry, whom she met via SUP.

Being a naturally shy person around people she didn’t know, SUP has boosted Gill’s confidence dramatically. Never would she have imagined meeting up with a group of people she didn’t know and thoroughly enjoying herself. She has made some fantastic friendships.

Her new-found confidence has now led her to recording reviews on products. She shares that she still gets tongue tied and it takes several attempts along with a lot of editing but these reviews have proven very popular, especially her YAK Kallista Buoyancy Aid review. She also loves helping small businesses, promoting their clothing/accessory ranges and often gets sent items to promote on her ever growing Instagram @sup_loving_gill account.

In summer 2020 Gill organised three local meet ups, where around 20-30 people turned up each night. Going forward her plan is to organise more meet ups, including fancy dress nights and litter picks, organised through the local sup groups on Facebook.

Owning a VW campervan gives her the freedom to travel further afield and stay overnight. Gill is currently organising various trips around the UK including Devon, Lake District, Swanage and East Sussex.

Gill featured in the 2021 Spring edition of the SUP International Magazine, where she talks about the joy of being able to get back out on the water after restrictions lifted, what motivates her and her kit .

Along with SUP, Gill’s other passion is photography, no fancy cameras just her mobile. For her combining the two has been a dream. She loves nothing more than catching a beautiful sunrise or sunset from her board, spotting glorious water reflections and snapping those stunning autumnal shots on the Basingstoke Canal.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do! I'd love to hear your thoughts and do follow Gill.

If you have any questions, please get in touch on thejoyofsuppodcast@gmail.com.

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Wishing you sunshine and joy, thank you for listening, Jo x

Please always put safety first +  get the right advice for your training + body.