SUP? Coasting health program to launch in November

SURFING Victoria and VicHealth have this week launched the third year of Coasting: Stand Up Paddleboarding for Women, a program that aims to increase the physical activity levels of women across the state in both regional and metropolitan areas.

The program is part of a $6.7 million investment from VicHealth to get more Victorian women and girls healthy and active over the next three years.

VicHealth chief executive officer Jerril Rechter said the funding represents the organisation’s biggest ever investment in female sport, which will deliver a range of new opportunities especially designed to help Victorian women and girls to get involved in sport and physical activity – including those who have never played sport.

“Getting enough physical activity into our week is so important for good health and happiness.

“Unfortunately, not all Victorians have the same opportunities to achieve good health.

“We know that women’s participation in organised sport is historically lower than men – in fact sport participation rates among women are half of those of men.

“Key barriers for women include a lack of confidence, and societal pressures of how women are told they should look.

“We’re working with a wide range of sports organisations like Surfing Victoria to deliver new and modified programs that address the barriers women face when trying to get active. We’re thrilled that more Victorian women will be able to get active and give a new sport a go, like stand up paddleboarding, thanks to this new funding.”

Surfing Victoria chief executive officer Adam Robertson said the continuation of this program was a massive win for women across the state.

“Over the past two years, we have seen hundreds of women get on the water and have a go at Stand Up Paddleboarding. The continued funding of the program will allow Surfing Victoria to reach even more women and give them new opportunities which they may not have received before.”

“We have ensured that the program is safe and fun so that all women feel comfortable having a go and getting on the water.”

The program will begin in November and interested participants can find their nearest delivery centre at coastingsup.com; program sites include Barwon Heads and Aireys Inlet.

As part of the new program, all funded sporting organisations have signed a VicHealth Gender Equality in Sport Leadership Pledge, demonstrating their commitment to achieving gender balance in all their public events and marketing of their organisation, and prioritising access for women and girls in all facilities they use.

Full details about VicHealth’s new Active Women and Girls for Health and Wellbeing program, including how to register interest for the new sporting activities, can be found at vichealth.vic.gov.au/activewomen.