Through Ireland by paddleboard – Becky Gilmour’s 1000km SUP for mental health

Hey I’m Becky! An adventure athlete from Ireland raising money for mental health charities – and a big fan of the outdoors.

After navigating through my own experiences with PTSD and mental illness and losing a few friends to their mental health struggles, I began taking on big fundraisers to help people get the support they need along their journeys. Being outside and on the water has also played a huge role in my recovery, and is where I feel most myself. So in turn I hope to inspire people to get outside a little more and share a little hope to those going through a tough time as someone who’s been there.

So, I’m currently paddling 1000km through Ireland for a mental health team out in Uganda that I know personally from past travels, and it’s been one phenomenal adventure.

This team is led by a psychiatrist, Derek, who is single-handedly responding to 1200 patients with just two part-time nurses after decreased funding in the hospital. His team originally comprised of 17 members, so my goal is to help give Derek and his team the funding they need to help his patients.

€10 fully supports a patient for one month: therapy, group therapy and medication – so a little goes a long way.

Not only will I be paddling through Ireland, but this trip is in fact training leading up to new challenges – including paddling out in Africa, where I will film with Derek later in the year.

The first week I set off, the wind and storms were howling while I was paddling the large and exposed Lower and Upper Loughs of Erne. From there I moved down the Shannon, and cut onto the Royal Canal to Dublin and back again. 

For the first part of this trip I was accompanied by a friend, who has since departed. It’s meant progressing into solo paddles, and developing confidence in my ability to navigate and paddle independently on the water.

Paddling through March brought a bright array of weather: from waking up to frozen gear, gusts that have almost capsized me, and a few calm and sunny days which I’ve been very glad to see. But what’s made it all worthwhile has been the communities I’ve encountered along the way: Waterways Ireland workers coming out with snacks and spots to camp, passers-by stopping with warm drinks, and being put up from time to time along the journey. I’ve also had people join me on the water, and come along to take photos. It’s been incredible seeing people get involved in the adventure as I go, and I couldn’t be more grateful for what this journey has allowed me to experience.

I find so much peace being on the water, and a growing strength in my confidence as I move through Ireland alone on a board with everything that I need strapped to it. At times it’s simple, and gives me the opportunity to think and stay present. And at other times it’s incredibly challenging, which gives me space to learn and grow as a paddler – and trust in my independence on the water. Before this trip, I had never paddled solo, so moving through that mental barrier took work – and now I’m loving the freedom of it all. It’s also allowed me to connect with people, and both recognise and remember that the world is a much kinder and brighter place than the life online often leads us to believe – it is full of fantastic people.

So through the ups and downs, thanks for following the journey and offering your support. I’m excited to keep sharing my progress with you. I’m currently paddling the Grand Canal and expect to be completing the last 350km over the next week or two, weather depending!

Follow Becky’s adventures @beckygilmour_ on Instagram – and support her fundraising via Linktree.