Julia Haggis only took up paddle boarding seven months ago but she’s already starting to make a name for herself in the sport.

The 42-year-old won first place in all six rounds of the fun classes at this year’s Summer Sizzler Stand Up Paddling competition.

The contest is organised by paddle board firm BaySUP and heats were held at six locations around England.

Tiredness

It’s quite an achievement – especially when you consider the fact the mother-of-two suffers from the debilitating illness myalgic encephalopathy (ME).

Julia, of Emerald View, Warden Bay, was diagnosed aged 25.

The condition includes severe muscle pain, nausea and chronic tiredness.

A cocktail of medication, including anti-depressants, painkillers and anti-sickness tablets, helps control the symptoms.

She said: “The fitter I am, the better my body copes with ME. But when I have race meetings and I’m away all week it can take me a week to get over it.

“I have to listen to my body when training as my body takes longer to recover.

“I got into paddle boarding because I love the water and it’s a bit different.

“People say it’s like walking on water.

“It’s hard work but it’s really good for your core muscles and your arms.”

Her dream is to open her own stand-up paddle boarding instruction school in Leysdown.

She added: “I’ve completed my paddle boarding instructors’ course so I’m fully qualified. I’m a full-time mum at the moment but I’d like to make it my full-time job.

“I’d like to have a load of boards and kayaks that I can hire out, run evening classes and take groups out.

“I need about £5,000 to get up and running so I’m currently looking into what grants I can apply for.”

Do you take part in any unusual or extreme sports? Let us know by calling 01795 580300, emailing timesguardian@thekmgroup.co.uk or writing to Times Guardian, 44 High Street, Sheerness, ME12 1NL.