Oar and Explore is an all-women boat club based on the Limehouse Cut in London, with over 120 members, predominantly Muslim or from global majority backgrounds. Initiated as a pilot two years ago, this unique club fosters camaraderie and joy among women in diverse attire while participating in boating. Members share waves and positive interactions with bystanders, promoting safety and enjoyment in community spaces that have previously felt unsafe. The initiative is celebrated for encouraging women to reclaim and engage with their local waterways, enhancing social connections and community well-being.
When you actually get out on the water, it's amazing, it's really calm, it just gives you a sense of joy.
We get waves, we get funny looks when we're on the water like 'what are those strange group of ladies doing?' But we wave, we say hello.
In east London we have these lovely spaces but over time they've become a bit unsafe and people are bit worried about them.
I think that's what's really wonderful about our community and that's what's really wonderful about London, actually, that you can try new things.
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