Diane Lee

What is your job and briefly what does it involve?  My week is made up freelancing within the outdoors, providing sports massage and coordinating D of E activities

What 3 words would you use to describe yourself?  Positive, Persistent, Patient

What is your favorite & best stuff: food/music/interests/weekend/ movie?

Food – has to be custard! (Also partial to sausage sandwiches and jam sandwiches, easily tempted by marzipan, hot cross buns, malt loaf and beetroot – but not all together)

Music – Anything other than Acid! So a real mix – Jewel, Dixie Chicks, Tchaikovovsky,  Jack Johnson, Stacey Kent (Jazz) Glen Miller, Santana… Would be a saxophonist in my dreams, or play the drums!

Interests  - Being out, going on adventures, canoeing, learning to telemark, spending time catching up with friends, sports massage, renovating my house!! Looking forward to baking again once I can be sure there’s no plaster dust or building debri!  New challenges. Watching nephews and nieces grow up.

Movies – A Time to Kill,  Last Samurai, Last of Mohicans, Thomas Crown Affair (Steve McQueen version)

Books – Best book this year –One Day (David Nicholls), All time - Catherine (Anya Seton) 

Other – Bailey Dog  - my beautiful and happy waggy tailed springer spaniel.

What does sea kayaking offer you?  Freedom, Challenge, Breathing, Variety.

What have you achieved, to date through paddling with Coastal Spirit?  Much more than I could ever have imagined!  And way beyond just my paddling!  As well as developing boat handling and an understanding of the considerations for being on the sea - weather, tides, planning etc..  I’ve gained confidence in my ability and am extending my capability as a result.  Through coaching, encouraged reflection and opportunities to observe and support.  Really difficult to summarise as there is so much!  I look different in a boat and I feel different in a boat…and that change is good!

Why Coastal Spirit?  I met Roger when I was a mock student  on his Level 5 Coach training and bumped into him sometime later when he was looking for long term students – still not sure he realizes just how long term!!  Everyday I’m out so much seems to be done, without ever feeling pressured or rushed. And from days when I want a challenge to, days  when I need some time out and to use the sea for some space…I always go home having learnt more. Eased into stretching myself and developing!

What are you looking forward to and where would you most like to paddle next and why?  In April I’ll be paddling around Wales, approx 1000k so that’s the short term – It’s only a month away so I’m really excited… (update ... this was a great success and was completed in 24 days, with 21 days paddling and 3 storm bound days!)  Maybe the Orkneys, one day a big crossing and at some point somewhere with icebergs!

Why - It’s amazing seeing the coast, rock formations, houses and villages that you would never know were there, hidden beaches and coves that can only be accessed from the sea.    Being in a changeable and dynamic environment that has its’ own moods and emotions.

Choose 3 words to sum up your time with Coastal Spirit? 

Enthusing, Enhancing Exhilarating