Beth Aldridge – 22-Year-Old Vet Student & GB Dragon Boater | From Lockdown Workouts to the World Championships

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, I’m joined by Beth, a 22-year-old veterinary student and elite dragon boat paddler based in Nottingham. Beth shares how a simple home workout routine during the COVID lockdown sparked a journey into endurance sport—from running the Robin Hood Half Marathon to discovering dragon boating at university. Since then, Beth has gone from novice paddler to competing on the world stage, representing Great Britain at the 2023 Dragon Boat World Championships in Thailand.  Now a coach, helm, and passionate advocate for women in sport, she talks about training, teamwork, and the power of inclusive communities.  Beth’s story is one of grit, growth, and finding joy in pushing physical and mental limits.  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x Show notes Who is Beth 22 year old Vet Student  Final year of vet school, working on a placement year Working with small animals and horses Having a passion and love for animals  Deciding to be a vet Studying; Biology, chemistry and maths at A’Level Hating sports at school  Starting university in 2021 Soaring Dragons, based in Loughborough  Starting to train with the team What Dragon Boat racing is The set up of the boat Getting started in Dragon Boat Racing  The impact of covid on the Dragon Boat Club Learning the skills needed  Being put into the boat straight away Training as much as she can The challenges of training while being on work placements and rotations  Why its a good sport for involving everyone  The stroke pair - being in charge of setting the rate Getting qualified as a helm  Getting into race helming  Competing at Nationals Great Britain Premier Squad  The different categories BNTS Sessions - taster sessions where anyone from any club can try out the trainers and see what improvements can be made to their paddling  Being a new paddler in 2021 Going away and doing her own training in 2022  Wanting to take it more seriously and getting into the squad in 2023 Committing to training weekend across the country  Doing paddling and strength training  Being part of the what’s app group and sharing training plans and sessions  Team Dynamics of the crew Being very competitive with herself  Wanting to be the best she could be  Heading to the World Championships in Thailand in 2023 Racing in the 2k event Race strategy and how the race unfolded  Taking a peek at the other boat! Dealing with an injury and not being able to paddle Drumming for another team - Three River Serpents Racing plans for 2025 Transporting the boat to different competitions Enjoying the 500m distance  How to connect on social media Contact your local club and give it a go  Racing as part of the women’s crew  Commit to it - what you want   Social Media Notts Anaconda - www.nottsanaconda.co.uk  Instagram - @nottsanaconda  THE BDA - the national governing body for Dragon Boat Racing throughout Great Britain. www.dragonboat.org.uk  Facebook - www.facebook.com/britishdragonboatracing  @gbpremierdragonboatteam