Meet The Community: Dianne
It’s time for another Meet The Community blog! I’m so excited to be introducing you to our wonderful community members through these regular blog posts. I’m hoping through this process we can build a deeper and stronger community connection (even across locations), plus be inspired by each other!
This week, I would love to introduce you to one of the kindest paddlers you’ll ever meet - Dianne, known by many in the community as Di.
Di (bottom row, on the left) with the group after our She SUPs Camp!
1. Where are you based? Narellan Vale, NSW
2. Do you own your own board? If so, what board is it?
Yes, Red Paddle Co 10’6” and I absolutely love it!
3. What do you do when you’re not paddleboarding?
Work – primary school teacher but currently working with NSW Teachers Federation. I love cooking and with 3 adult children especially love our once a week family dinner get-together.
4. What brought you to She SUPs/ why did you join She SUPs?
I was invited by a friend, Sharon Galway. After reading Vikki’s vision for the group I knew instantly this was for me. I’m all for empowering women.
5. Do you remember the first time you tried SUP? Tell us a little about that very first experience...
My hubby and I were camping in Woolgoolga and Sharon invited us to join her and the kids out on the water at a gorgeous place, Red Rock on the northern beaches of the Coffs Coast, to try stand up paddleboarding. I absolutely loved it and was so impressed by the Red Paddle Co boards that after only one hour of trying it, I ordered one.
6. What is your favourite paddleboarding memory/experience/ adventure so far?
Definitely the overnight camping trip with the She SUPs women at the end of last year at The Basin campground. So many laughs on and off the water.
7. Where is the number one place on your SUP bucket list and why?
We’re planning on a camping/lap around Australia in 2023. I’ll be taking my SUP (advantage of an inflatable) and using it everywhere I possibly can…except where crocodiles live…especially the salties. I really love Tasmania though and paddling on Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain would be epic.
8. If you were to describe the feeling you get when you’re paddleboarding how would you describe it?
Absolute calm. When I’m on the board I find I’m concentrating on my balance, watching the water and enjoying the scenery all at the same time. I truly switch off from everything else…work, worries, all those constant niggling thoughts. I can completely enjoy the moment.
9. Has anything surprised or delighted you about being a member of the She SUPs Community?
Not so much surprised but definitely delighted by the incredible range of backgrounds and experiences of all the women. I love how welcoming everyone is, no egos, no judgement. Genuine acceptance and acknowledgement of each individual’s worth.
9. Where’s next for you and your board?
As we don’t live near the coast, time is an issue. I’m hoping to find some waterways closer to home and just get out more often.
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Thank you so much, Di for taking part in our Meet The Community series! I’m so grateful to have you as a member of this community. You are honestly one of the most considerate paddlers I know, and I’m so grateful for the role you play in this community. I cannot wait to go on a She SUPs camp with you again!
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If you’d like to say hello to Di or have any comments about this post - leave a comment below!!
This blog series is going to be continuing for a while as I hope to feature as many people as possible in the community (and there are currently 500 of you!!), so if you’d like to take part please send me an email (vikki@shesups.com.au) and let’s celebrate the part you play in making our SUP-loving community so magical.
See you on the water!
Vikki x
Founder of She SUPs