BlueSpace Eclipse

On Wednesday, 12th August, AquaPaddle BlueSpace partnered with Dittons Paddle Boarding, our local Delivery Partner to host a special evening session along the Thames at Thames Ditton for a group of young adult carers aged 16 to 25 from Surrey Young Carers. For these young people, caring for a loved one is a constant, demanding part of daily life. Getting out onto the water offered a rare, much-needed opportunity to step away from those responsibilities, unwind, and recharge in a supportive, welcoming environment.

Following a thorough safety briefing on land, the group launched into the water and set off on a relaxed paddle upstream toward Hampton Court Palace. Moving along this calm stretch of the river, participants, some stepping onto a board for the very first time, and others returning after a long break, were able to build confidence, find their rhythm, and connect with nature at their own pace.

The timing of the session was far from accidental. Recognising during the early planning stages that the event coincided with a partial solar eclipse, the team decided to build the entire experience around this extraordinary natural phenomenon. Eclipse safety glasses were purchased for every participant on the water as well as supporters watching from the bank. Watching the sky transform directly from the water near Hampton Court Bridge made an already special outing feel truly magical.

Beyond the unique celestial backdrop, the heart of the evening lay in the sense of connection and respite it created. Laughter echoed across the Thames as participants made new friends, shared stories, and enjoyed a break from their daily routines. A huge thank you goes to DPB Instructors for their dedicated guidance and encouragement, ensuring every young person felt safe, supported, and confident throughout the journey.

Events like this are made possible through the generosity of our supporters and dedicated fundraising efforts, including donations raised by AquaPaddle Crew members who tackled the Head of the Dart SUP race on a 4-person Dragon Board. These vital contributions help expand our BlueSpace activities once core operational costs are met. We are working hard to ensure that merchandise sales, the Friends of AquaPaddle scheme, and corporate sponsorships cover our fundamental overheads—like servers and administrative systems, so that future donations can go 100% directly into funding BlueSpace sessions. During these challenging times of the cost-of-living crisis, we know things are tough for many, but every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference in keeping our systems running and putting more young people on the water.

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