Participants take part in a stand up paddleboard and kayak instructing session at Limehouse Cut canal in east London, on September 26, 2024. Paddle dipped gently below mossy water, Dilruba Begum guided the kayak and a trainee sat in front of her down a canal in east London. "Out here, you can be anyone," she whispered as she lifted the paddle up to allow the kayak to drift with the current. Two years ago, when Dilruba, 43, was swamped with mothering duties, a friend told her about a free, women-only programme to learn paddle sports near her home. Now she is a qualified paddle sport instructor, after taking part in the programme run by local housing and community regeneration body Poplar HARCA. (Photo by BENJAMIN CREMEL / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY AKSHATA KAPOOR (Photo by BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP via Getty Images)