Teacher seeks to grow paddle sport

Looking like a fleet of rookie gondoliers Pilbara residents tried their hand at the growing sport of stand-up paddleboarding in Dampier earlier this month.

Watching the unsteadiness of first-time paddle boarders on the still waters of Hampton Harbour may seem humorous at first but as Cracker Jack Paddle Sports founder Jaclyn Nicholl will knowingly tell you "it's not as easy as it looks".

A freelance outdoor education teacher born and bred in Dampier, Nicholl has gone out on a limb by starting an instructional paddle board and kayak business. She said if paddleboarders started to struggle on a board it was probably because they had not learnt the right technique.

"It looks easy when you're standing looking at it," she said.

"But it takes a lot of muscle groups to control your board and it's really good core, leg and thigh exercise so having the right technique takes the pressure off your shoulders."

Nicholl has about 3000 hours of instructional time in a kayak and has taken part in exhibitions around the world that have gone 30 to 60 days without other human contact.

Growing up in Dampier she had a passion for the surf but with a lack of waves close to shore she found the stand-up paddleboard was a perfect mix of kayaking and surfing.

Nicholl said their slice of the Pilbara was the perfect location and climate for paddle- boarding.

"This started and was about being able to service the schools and allowing schools to have access to outdoor programs in the area," she said. "I thought why not start up lessons for the community to learn how to paddle properly."

Nicholl has adult programs ranging from group to private lessons, and an eight-week junior program affiliated with Surfing WA.

The business operates on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Nicholl hopes the sport will grow to the point in the Pilbara where racing events could start up.

"There are heaps of different events," she said. "Downwind racing, flat water racing, endurance races of up to 5km, sprints.

"It's the fastest growing water sport in the world."

To find out more about Cracker Jack Paddle Sports search for them on Facebook or ring 0432 554 635.