Oar and Explore Boat Club Award, Tower Hamlets 2026

Key Points

• Oar and Explore is an all-female, majority Muslim boat club based in Tower Hamlets, east London.
• Established by Poplar HARCA and East London Canal Access Network (ELCAN) at the end of 2021.
• Aims to build confidence, leadership skills, and make Limehouse Cut—the oldest canal in London—more welcoming.
• Around 150 women have benefited from the introduction to paddle sport course since launch.
• 15 participants have progressed to become qualified instructors.
• Shortlisted for a prestigious London Sport Award in recognition of empowering Muslim women on the water.
• Terri Calbraith, Poplar HARCA’s Strategic Partnerships Manager, highlighted the project’s sustainability potential.
• Terri Calbraith stated: “I have been doing community development for 20 years now and this is the first time that we have truly created something that has a chance of being sustainable.”
• Terri Calbraith added: “Often, as soon as the money dries up, programmes lose momentum. But I really think this can outlive us. We have given them the right sort of training, and we are committed to keeping the pontoon running, providing the boat store and basically holding their hand without it being the massive financial burden it can be.”

Tower Hamlets (Extra London News) April 24, 2026 – A pioneering all-female boat club predominantly for Muslim women in Tower Hamlets has been shortlisted for a London Sport Award, celebrating its role in fostering safety, confidence, and inclusion on London’s waterways.

What is Oar and Explore and who set it up?

Oar and Explore represents a groundbreaking initiative tailored for women, particularly those from Muslim backgrounds, to engage in paddle sports. As detailed in coverage by East London Lines, the club operates as an all-female, majority Muslim boat club situated along the Limehouse Cut in Tower Hamlets.

It was established through a partnership between Poplar HARCA, a community regeneration organisation, and the East London Canal Access Network (ELCAN), a charity focused on waterway access.

Launched at the end of 2021, the project specifically targets barriers that have historically deterred women from water-based activities.

According to reports from local outlets, including East London Lines, the initiative seeks to build confidence and leadership skills while transforming the Limehouse Cut—the capital’s oldest canal—into a more welcoming space for underrepresented groups.

Poplar HARCA, known for its work in housing and community development in east London, collaborated with ELCAN to provide the necessary infrastructure, including a pontoon and boat storage. This setup ensures participants can access equipment without prohibitive costs, marking a shift towards self-sustaining community-led activities.

Why was Oar and Explore shortlisted for the London Sport Award?

The nomination for the prestigious London Sport Award underscores the project’s impact on promoting physical activity among women who might otherwise feel unsafe or excluded from outdoor sports. Coverage across multiple sources, such as East London Lines, highlights how Oar and Explore has empowered participants by creating a safe, women-only environment on the water.

The award shortlist recognises initiatives that drive participation in sport and active lifestyles across London.

Oar and Explore’s entry celebrates its success in addressing cultural and safety concerns, particularly for Muslim women, enabling them to paddle confidently along historic canals. This aligns with broader London Sport efforts to make exercise accessible to all demographics, as evidenced by parallel nominations for related charities ensuring safe access to exercise for women.

How many women have benefited from Oar and Explore?

Since its inception at the end of 2021, approximately 150 women have participated in the introduction to paddle sport course offered by Oar and Explore. Reports from East London Lines quantify this reach, noting the programme’s rapid uptake in Tower Hamlets, a diverse borough with significant Muslim communities.

Beyond initial engagement, the project has seen tangible progression: 15 women have advanced to qualify as instructors. This milestone demonstrates not just participation but skill development and leadership cultivation, allowing alumni to lead sessions and sustain the club’s operations independently.

The structured course introduces paddling basics in a supportive setting, gradually building participants’ comfort on the water. Feedback from the community, as covered in local media, emphasises the transformative effect, with many citing newfound safety and empowerment as key outcomes.

What makes this project sustainable, according to its leaders?

Sustainability stands out as a cornerstone of Oar and Explore’s success, distinguishing it from short-term funded initiatives. Terri Calbraith, Poplar HARCA’s Strategic Partnerships Manager, provided key insights in statements reported by East London Lines. She said:

“I have been doing community development for 20 years now and this is the first time that we have truly created something that has a chance of being sustainable.”

Calbraith elaborated on the challenges of funding-dependent programmes, noting:

“Often, as soon as the money dries up, programmes lose momentum. But I really think this can outlive us. We have given them the right sort of training, and we are committed to keeping the pontoon running, providing the boat store and basically holding their hand without it being the massive financial burden it can be.”

This approach involves minimal ongoing financial input from partners—primarily maintenance of facilities—while empowering women with qualifications to run the club. Poplar HARCA’s long-term commitment to infrastructure ensures continuity, positioning Oar and Explore as a model for community-led sports projects.

Who are the key partners behind Oar and Explore?

Poplar HARCA and ELCAN form the backbone of the initiative. Poplar HARCA, a resident-led housing association in Tower Hamlets, brings expertise in community regeneration and has invested in the physical setup along Limehouse Cut. ELCAN complements this with its focus on canal access, providing paddling expertise and equipment.

As reported extensively by East London Lines, the partnership leverages each organisation’s strengths: Poplar HARCA handles community engagement and facilities, while ELCAN delivers sports training. Terri Calbraith’s role as Strategic Partnerships Manager has been pivotal in bridging these efforts, drawing on her two decades of experience.

No other partners are named in available coverage, but the model’s scalability has drawn interest from London Sport, hinting at potential wider replication.

What is the Limehouse Cut and why does it matter?

Limehouse Cut holds historical significance as London’s oldest canal, linking the Regent’s Canal to the River Thames since 1770. Stretching through Tower Hamlets, it offers scenic paddling routes but has long been underutilised by women due to safety perceptions.

Oar and Explore reclaims this space, making it inclusive. Participants paddle amid industrial heritage sites, fostering a sense of ownership. Coverage notes how the canal’s urban setting, once intimidating, now symbolises empowerment for the 150 women involved.

How does Oar and Explore address safety concerns for Muslim women?

Safety forms the project’s core appeal, creating a women-only space free from mixed-gender dynamics that some Muslim women find prohibitive. As per East London Lines reports, the all-female environment alleviates cultural sensitivities around modest dress and physical activity in public.

Qualified female instructors—now numbering 15—further enhance trust. The controlled pontoon access minimises external risks, allowing focus on skill-building. Terri Calbraith’s comments underscore this as key to sustainability, with women feeling secure enough to progress to leadership roles.

What is the broader context of London Sport Awards?

The London Sport Awards honour organisations boosting activity levels across the city. Oar and Explore’s shortlisting aligns with themes of inclusivity, mirroring nominations for charities like one ensuring every woman has safe exercise access—also landing two nods, as noted in related coverage.

These awards spotlight diversity, with past winners including projects for refugees and disabled athletes. Organised annually by London Sport, they amplify grassroots efforts amid rising participation targets post-pandemic.

What challenges has Oar and Explore overcome?

Initial hurdles included cultural barriers and limited waterway access for women. Funding constraints loomed, but strategic training investments have mitigated this. East London Lines coverage reveals no major setbacks reported, crediting partner commitment.

The COVID-19 aftermath, with its launch in late 2021, tested resilience, yet the project thrived by prioritising outdoor, low-contact activities.

What’s next for Oar and Explore?

With award shortlisting, expectations rise for expansion. Qualified instructors could extend reach borough-wide, potentially franchising the model. Poplar HARCA’s infrastructure pledge supports growth without heavy costs.

Community feedback, as aggregated in media, calls for more sessions. A win at the London Sport Awards on [date TBD, per latest updates] could secure further funding, cementing its legacy.