All About Paddling

The Pioneer River in Mirani is 30 minutes west of Mackay. This is such a beautiful spot to paddle - freshwater, fantastic conditions., Great teachers -a day of canoe education can’t get much better.

Oh exciting ! Today I’m on a small plane to go to work for the week. !

A huge thank you love and hugs to my bro and sis for coming out and being a part of the filming project for my support of the Protect Beautiful Queensland campaign. Thank you to my sister Dinah from Rainbow Star Healing for the smiles and gorgeous bright colours and thank you to my brother Troy from Cook Canoes for skilfully chauffeuring the photographer around !

Featured with Queensland Department of Sport

Allana Bold: Creating confidence, connection and capability on the water For more than two decades, Allana Bold has been quietly shaping Queensland’s paddling community—one confident stroke at a time.

I'm still blown away by this !

What started as a passion for paddling has grown into opportunities to teach, guide, mentor, explore amazing places, connect and collaborate with so many incredible people.

This award is a reminder of why I love doing what I do.

👏 Allana Bold has been featured by the Queensland Department of Sport in a story recognising her more than 20 years of contribution to Queensland’s paddling and outdoor education community.

As founder and director of All About Paddling, Allana has helped build confidence, capability and connection on the water for outdoor educators, schools and communities across Queensland and beyond. The article also reflects on her recent Individual Achievement Award at the Outdoors Queensland Awards, celebrating her lasting impact on the outdoor industry.

Link to read more & article: Creating confidence, connection and capability on the water: www.outdoorsqueensland.com.au/allana-bold

Pictured - at the 2025 Outdoors Queensland Awards; it's a great PR opportunity 😉

Picture yourself gliding across warm turquoise water, landing on remote tropical islands, sharing stories with local Fijian villages, and watching the sun disappear into the Pacific after a day of unforgettable paddling… 🌴🛶☀️

In 16 months time, we’ll be heading to the stunning Yasawa Islands, Fiji, for an incredible 9-day sea kayaking adventure — and I’m looking for a small group of adventurous paddlers to join me.

This journey is about far more than kayaking. It’s about exploring untouched islands, snorkelling vibrant coral reefs, paddling crystal clear tropical waters, embracing the relaxed rhythm of island life, and experiencing the warmth and culture of Fiji Islands in a truly unique way.

And if you’re sitting there thinking:
“This sounds amazing… but I don’t know if I’m ready…”

You absolutely can be.

Through All About Paddling I’ll be offering optional pre-trip paddle preparation sessions designed to help you build your confidence, improve your paddling skills, and feel strong and capable before we leave. This trip is about adventure, connection, and growth — not already being an expert.

Sixteen months might sound like a long way away, but these trips take time to plan and spaces are limited. Deposits will be needed by November this year to secure your place.

If this adventure is calling your name, I’d love to hear from you 🌴🛶 🌺

Send me a message to register your interest, ask questions, or request the detailed itinerary and trip information pack.

Allana

I'm feeling pretty stoked to have been acknowledged for contributing to the National Paddle Australia Play Well Strategy alongside so many great people in our paddling community.

It’s been rewarding to be part of conversations around helping to strengthen participation, creating welcoming environments for great experiences, developing clear pathways into paddling supported by education pathways, and encouraging more people to stay connected to the lifestyle of paddling for the long term.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute and to work alongside passionate people who care so much about the future of our sport. 🚣‍♀️

https://paddle.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Paddle-Well-PA-National-Participation-Plan-Apr-2026-1.pdf

Paddle Australia

What to do when you are teaching canoeing and kayaking at the same time? Well of course I canoe a kayak.!

This week I spent time with six amazing individuals from all walks of life, but all with a common theme of wanting to be in the outdoors and paddling.

I enjoyed the company working with people from Sunshine Coast Environmental Education Centre, Numbinbah Valley Environmental Education Centre, a freelance outdoor educator, a TAFE student, a Pastor from a Church in Rockhampton and a person wanting to expand their knowledge to be able to plan and to take other people out paddling.

What beautiful conditions for paddling education with light winds and low tidal ranges.

The next Guide qualification training course at Shorncliffe is July 20 and 21.

Bring 2032 Olympics canoe and kayak to SEQ. Makes sense to me.

Sign the Petition Bris 32 Olympic Rowing Venue – Protect Fairness, Legacy and Rowing's Future

Yesterday‘s journey to work saw me driving past vast open fields of cotton early in the morning.

It was so beautiful.

I headed out to Dalby ! to train teachers at the boarding school at Dalby State high school Bunya campus.

What a perfect activity for borders over the weekends and holidays to be using their local  lakes rivers and dams.

We had a great session playing paddle games and creating great ideas for inclusive fun paddling activities at Lake Broadwater..