British Canoeing is making a big splash to broaden its appeal to more women participants.   

The national governing body has launched a social media campaign to announce #ShePaddles after conducting research into female numbers in the sport.  

They said: "Research shows that women will hold back from presenting themselves for assessment far longer than men at the same paddling level."

BC emphasises that this is not solely targeting getting more women on the water. They want to encourage women getting into any level of the sport that they want to access.

"It's important to us that, if women want to move into coaching and leadership roles that they get there".

The action to inspire a new generation of women canoers began back in 2016 after the Women in Adventure Sport Conference.

Since then British Canoeing have set up a Facebook community page where 1,000 women have shared and supported their paddling stories.

Alongside this they have established women's paddling ambassadors - ten women selected from various levels of the sport - and have launched merchandise with #ShePaddles splashed across the front of it.

It was suggested 'old-fashioned' phrases such as 'like a girl' and 'man up' need to be eradicated in order to make both men and women feel comfortable.