Working with Muslim Scout Fellowship to build water confidence

A Lee Valley Regional Park Authority-funded programme is helping young people from the Muslim Scout Fellowship discover confidence, skills and fun on the water.

More than 270 young people from the Muslim Scout Fellowship (MSF) enjoyed two days of kayaking, paddleboarding and water-based adventure at Lee Valley White Water Centre in July — many experiencing paddlesports for the very first time.

The sessions, delivered as part of the Muslim Scout Fellowship’s 3rd International Jamboree at Gilwell Park in east London, were made possible through funding from Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s Community Access Fund. Their aim was simple but ambitious: to remove barriers, spark curiosity and help more young people enjoy water activities.

MSF Project Manager Humaairah Jama, explains:

“For many young people in east London MSF groups, opportunities to take part in water activities can feel out of reach. Cost, access, confidence and the need to consider cultural and religious sensitivities can all limit participation — particularly for young women who may prefer modesty-conscious or gender-specific sessions. We’re hoping these sessions sparked an interest in something they will continue.”

Across the two days, participants aged 14-17 enjoyed kayaking, paddleboarding and the water wipeout course in a safe supported environment on the lake at our Olympic legacy venue in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire.

The activity days built on a year-long programme of weekly funded training sessions for nine MSF leaders from east London groups. Delivered at Lee Valley White Water Centre and on the nearby River Lea by Paddle UK, the training is designed to help leaders qualify as Paddle Instructors and create a sustainable route into paddlesports for their communities.

“We hope the leader training will help to increase watersport participation from MSF members. Activity costs will be reduced if we have our own trained Paddle Instructors and cultural and religious sensitivities will be catered for,” added Humaairah.

The programme is already changing perceptions. For participants, the Jamboree activity days offered an exciting first step onto the water. For leaders, the training provides the confidence, qualifications and practical experience needed to make paddlesports more accessible in the long term.

“Our groups are largely in east London, and cost is often a barrier for many people to take part in lake activities. There are also considerations for female participants from a modesty perspective. We will be able to run gender-specific sessions once our leaders are fully trained,” said Humaairah.

Jack Pringle, Senior Active Communities Manager at Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, said:

“By investing in community leadership, the project goes beyond a one-off experience. It is building water skill leadership in the Muslim community that will help reduce future costs and give MSF groups the tools to offer water-based activities in a way that reflects the needs of their members.

“As MSF leaders work towards qualification, we hope to inspire a love of paddle sports not just to those at one Jamboree, but for many more young people in the future.”