Community Water Sports Project

Aim: To get our community active on/in the water this season with affordable kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling and swimming opportunities

Who are we?

Wild Wonder and Wisdom CIC is a social enterprise motivated by: 

'improving mental and physical wellbeing by getting everyone outdoors and active together in beautiful blue and green spaces.'  

We need your help to:

'deliver an affordable programme of water-based activities for various groups this summer based at Portmellon.’

Since 2019, we have supported, inspired and empowered over a hundred adventurers young and old to get active in, on and around the sea in St Austell Bay.

Our most active groups at the moment include our 'This Woman Can' Support Group for women aged 40+ who want to try different activities with like-minded women.  We have a committee who help plan a varied and interesting programme including anything from rifle shooting and archery to indoor climbing and cycling.

We also run a weekly Wellness Walking group for adults aged 50+ who are registered with St Austell Healthcare.  Each week we organise two 3-5km walks a in different locations in St Austell Bay and organise additional opportunities to link in with activities providers in the area.  These include St Austell Table Tennis Club, St Austell Leisure Centre and Mevagissey Activity Centre.  So far, we have organised functional fitness sessions, quizzes, and our current favourite pickle ball.  We have also offered back-to-cycling sessions at Par Track with The Cornwall Bicycle Project and special guided walks with Cornwall Wildlife Trust and 3 Bays Wildlife Group.

When funding permits, we deliver youth clubs including Outdoor Adventurers (multi-activity in and off the water), Sea Explorers (snorkelling and rock pooling) and Nature Explorers (inland nature-based play and bushcraft).  Both of these restart in April 2025.

What is our mission?

• to create healthy and supportive communities that boost mental wellbeing, increase physical activity and reduce social isolation 
• to provide opportunities for people to step out of their comfort zones, try something new and meet new people and make friends  
• to introduce people to new hobbies 
• to create training opportunities and employment for our stakeholders
• to increase access to 'blue mind' activities such as paddle sports and sea swimming due to the immensely positive impact they have on our mental and physical wellbeing  
• to bring all of this to our community at affordable prices so that everyone can get the benefits

Why Portmellon?

Portmellon provides a sheltered cove perfect for beginner kayakers and paddleboarders, and beautiful clear waters for swimming and snorkelling on calm days.  The rock pools on either side are full of fascinating organisms and there is a sea grass bed further out for divers to explore.  There are a couple of lovely quiet beaches within easy paddling distance for more adventurous paddlers and we are planning to take advantage of the glorious sun rises with dawn paddles.   

What will we do?

• provide a structured programme based out of The Paddleshed that will encourage individuals from different groups to come together for group coaching and introduce beginners to kayaking, paddleboarding, sea swimming and snorkelling. Each morning will be dedicated to a different group so everyone will have their needs met
• run a regular locals' paddle evening and a separate locals' snorkel session to bring the community together and celebrate the wonders that we have in Portmellon
• host pop-up events on the beach such as silent disco events, table tennis, beach cleans, guided walks, yoga and rock pooling events
• run after-school clubs and holiday clubs for local young people, teaching them new skills and gain water awareness so they know how to keep themselves and others safe in and around the coast
• collaborate with other local activity providers, venues and social enterprises to reach as many local people as possible and to provide a varied programme of opportunities for everyone to try 

How are we funded?

Through grants such as Cornwall Council’s ‘Active Transport’ and ‘Social Inclusion’ grants, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, support from COOP and Tesco’s blue token schemes, Active Cornwall, The National Lottery Community Fund, Mevagissey Parish Council, Councillors Community Chest and our own crowdfunding campaigns.

We have a team of volunteer directors including Kathy King who have been fundraising to keep our programmes going since 2019.

How can you help us?

• Take part in fundraising events
• Donate to our cause
• Buy a reward for either you or a loved one
• Share this crowdfunder on social media with a personal message about why you think this project is important
• Share this crowdfunder directly with anyone who you think could help us to increase sustainability for the future  

We look forward to getting in and on the water with you in Portmellon very soon.

Thank you for your help :-)

Kathy and teamxx