Eva Camilleri- Regional Welsh Squad, Age 14, Div 1 K1W

When did you first get into kayaking, and what drew you to the sport?

I first got into kayaking when my uncle brought me a membership to my club, Seren Dwr, for Christmas just over a year and a half ago. It looked like so much fun, and I wanted to join in. Once I tried it, I loved the challenge of learning new skills and being able to spend so much time outdoors.

What do you love most about being out in the water?

I love the freedom of being on the water; you can switch off from everything else. Whether I’m training slalom gates or just playing around freestyle, it always makes me happy.

What’s your best / funniest kayaking memory?

One of my funniest memories has to be when my dad was trying to help secure my spray deck on my slalom boat… and he fell straight into the river! I couldn’t stop laughing!

What advice would you give to girls who want to try kayaking?

Just go for it! Don’t be scared of making mistakes. Everyone swims sometimes, and it’s all part of learning. Kayaking is such a supportive sport. You’ll make amazing friends and have so many adventures.

Imara Baldwin-Moore - She Paddle Cymru Youth Ambassador, Age 17

I first got into kayaking from a very early age as my dad had kayaked from an early age himself and owns an outdoor business which meant that I had held a paddle before even being able to walk, but what drew me to continue within the sport as I grew up was the opportunities it gives you such as making friends and new experiences also to the fact I am extremely competitive

What I love most about being on the water is being with my friends and having the chats of my life. I also love the feel of the water and how the boat moves across it. I think the best feeling is progressing onto bigger or harder water, and the feeling of joy knowing you are in control of going down that drop or waterfall

There are a lot of good memories over the years I’ve been kayaking and a lot of amazing rivers paddled. But I think the best trip I have been on is one of my first times paddling the river Dee. Back then my boat of choice was a dynamo because I loved being able to throw it around the place however it was a very questionable choice for big features such as when we got to town falls. When we got to the falls I was given Gwion Williams to follow his line down however he forgot that I was behind him and took the hardest line and after the first drop I went over and this was my first time ever rolling on a river after going over accidentally and the same happened on the next drop but I went fully underwater where you couldn’t see my boat but rolled up for the second time!! This was a truly confidence boosting trip for me.

The best advice I could give to any girls wanting to try kayaking is to just do it, get on that river or lake and have a paddle round even if you don't want to or your scared because it’s the best decision you will make that will lead to so many opportunities like work, friends and travel.

Whether it’s rolling through rapids, laughing at soggy dads, or chasing the thrill of a new challenge, Eva and Imara show us that kayaking isn’t just a sport, it’s a gateway to confidence, community, and unforgettable adventures. This International Girls Day, we celebrate their courage, joy, and the splash they’re making in Welsh waters. So if you’re a girl wondering whether to pick up a paddle… the answer is simple: dive in.