The NWUK and WALX Instructor teams have literally gone the extra mile in the last couple of weeks even though they can’t support their walkers in person and can only don their own walking shoes once a day!

Instructors right across the UK have created the most innovative programmes and worked as a Team to share ideas and support walkers of all levels.

From phoning around the most vulnerable to providing one to one exercise regimes, they have been an inspiration.

Last week Norfolk Nordic Walking members were set the challenge to ‘reach Paris’ but in fact walked way further – a collective total of 789 miles. Their Instructor Rebecca told us  “We celebrated our success from a ‘wine bar’ in France and we are now en route to complete the Spanish Camino….It’s our version of Race Across the World! Salut”

Meanwhile in South Gloucestershire, the All seasons group got together via a ZOOM coffee morning

and enjoyed everything from a virtual coffee morning to a a series of 1 walks. Its great to see the smiling faces and connection that in some way keeps some routine in these days of isolation. Most instructors like Helen from All seasons have kept the same time slots to help bring a bit of normality and sociality back into the long days at home. By sharing their short solo walks it does help them to still connect and get more out of the walk too

Other groups have set up photo sharing challenges such as the ABC challenge where the group have to snap something beginning with the letter of the day as they venture out.

Lucie from WALX Dorset told us that there were a lot of cheeky posts which were snapped at home but also some great comments like one form a Lady called Karen who obviously used herself for the letter K with this great little K filled note “Karen! Keenly keeping fit knocking out the kilometres with my knapsack on my back keeping neighbours safe by kindly fetching milk and newspapers!”

In Herts and Bucks the Ridgeway and MK Nordic walkers were treated to on line pilates stretches and once again some great catch up sessions which we were impressed to see they also got dressed up for. Lots of NWUK purple on show along with the smiling faces although one clearly did not want to be seen on camera. Their Instructors Karen and Emma have been busy planning these fun events and Karen has also produced videos for other Instructors to share too

In Watford Instructor Tracy Reeve has really gone to town (not literally of course) by holding everything from a what3words Navigation challenge, (brilliantly named Game of Phones) to a journey to the North Pole step challenge for folk to complete. We have to applaud the effort and innovation as well as the motivation that these initiatives provide to Nordic walkers in these unprecedented circumstances.

In Stroud, Instructor  Akhila Underhill hosted a swedish Fika for her group and the HQ team have put in their orders in for some of those cinnamon buns when we next catch up with her!  Whilst Ashley Sandy and her Wessex NW group enjoyed a catch up and workout using the videos produced by the WALX team

Jane Cumming and the North Devon group also caught up on line and even those not connecting digitally set simple challenges like finding something as simple as a flower of the chosen colour for the day which is what Beverley from Shropshire Nordic walking did.

We salute them all for the creativity and positive actions in tough times and would like to remind all those of you out there who may be walking alone, that these amazing Instructors are on hand to help you get more out of every step. Don’t wait until things return to normal …get in touch now and be fitter than ever once you can meet up with your local  group in person.

To find you local Instructor pop your postcode HERE