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Staffordshire Nordic Walking keen to stand tall on the world scene

Staffordshire Nordic Walking have put themselves on the map by sweeping up at a national competition – and they are changing lives along the way.

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The group, which regularly gets together for walks at Rowley Park in Stafford and over Cannock Chase, is the brainchild of Gareth Davies.

He has been teaching the technique, which he describes as ‘cross country skiing, but without the snow and the skis’, for the past five years. And despite the sport not being known by many, the demand in the county has been massive.

So much so, Davies is looking to realise the group’s dream of testing themselves on the world stage.

“I’ve been teaching Nordic walking since 2013,” said the 49-year-old from Stafford.

“And Staffordshire Nordic Walking has won something every year since.

“We competed in the British Nordic Walking Challenge over Chasewater in November and won everything.

“It was a huge success – the icing on the cake after such great development over the past few years.”

Staffordshire Nordic Walking won the fastest team in the 10km and 5km races at the event, as well as a host of individual titles. The haul continued their dominance at such events over the past few years.

So Davies thinks the next step, and a natural step to make, is a world competition.

“We’ve more than ticked the boxes nationally now, so we’d love to take a team to compete in a world cup race,” he said.

“Last year, it was in Latvia and China. Travel and accommodation are the main two obstacles.

“We took 18 to Chasewater. We may be looking at less than that for Latvia, but we’ll have to see.

“It has grown so much over the last five years, and if we did well in the world cup, things could go up another level.”

And the big pull with Nordic walking is that it is a very accessible sport.

Explaining how it all works, Davies said: “It’s like cross country skiing, but without the snow and the skis.

“It’s the same movement, and it is a low impact movement – it is not harsh on the joints, but burns as many calories as jogging.

"Once you have the technique as well, you can achieve pretty quick times. I did a half marathon in two hours and 25 minutes.

“It’s actually quite an athletic technique – not just walking with sticks.

“I teach it in a 10-step process. It’s all about form and posture – you’re using all the muscles in your body, especially your core. The beauty is that as long as you can walk, you can do it.

“Nordic walking is up a level from power walking, on varied terrain – it can be quite hilly.

“Cross country skiers use Nordic walking as their training during the summer time. And the highest-ever V02 max reading was from a cross country skier, so the health benefits are there to see.”

One of the greatest success stories of the group, someone who has reaped the benefits the sport provides, is Ben Carnes.

The 39-year-old, from Stafford, is 85 per cent blind and was 28st when he started walking with them. Now, he is 15st 6lb.

Stafford’s Ben Carnes has lost over 12st since taking up Nordic walking

And Carnes insists the sport has turned his life around.

“I’ve been this weight for over 12 months now,” said Carnes. “I did two 5ks in 2016, and did a 10k at Chasewater – and I was absolutely fine at the end of it.

“Nordic walking opened doors for me, allowed me to do other things.

“I know how to look after my body now, thanks to Nordic walking.

“There’s a real sense of community about it. It’s life-changing, honestly.”

Davies received funding from Stafford Borough Council, back in 2015, to teach 100 people over 12 months. The money was enough for 50 sets of walking poles – designed to be used at a 45-degree angle – but, such was the demand, the cash was exhausted in six months.

Carnes is not the only one who has undergone a drastic change through the sport, as Davies said: “We’ve got a man in his 60s, Mike Downes, who has won six national challenges in a row at 5km – despite having a knee replacement.

“Of course, there’s Ben who is 85 per cent blind. He was 28st when he started with us and now he’s 15st 6lb.

“He could only walk 200 yards when he started.

“We’ve got Heidi Smith, 49, from Stafford. She was type two diabetic and was on all sorts of medication, and now she’s off all of it through Nordic walking. She has turned her life around.”

Davies is also a master personal trainer, a GP exercise referral, and an exercise and weight management specialist for diabetes and obesity.

To get involved in Nordic Walking, it is £75 for the course – five one-hour sessions, with the poles provided.

From then on, Davies offers access to various other activities he puts on.

“It’s for all. It’s a superb vehicle to help people get active,” he said.

“Once you’ve done that, you can do as many sessions as you like on my schedule.

“We’ve done themed walks around Stafford Castle.

“I train people at Rowley Park Sports Stadium in Stafford, thanks to Freedom Leisure, and then all the build-up for Chasewater was mainly over Cannock Chase.

“I’ve trained over 400 people, so it’s a sport that is on the rise.”

Davies realises heading out for a world competition is a lofty aim, but it is one he is confident of fulfilling.

“Now we’re aiming for the worlds,” he said.

“It’s a big target but all of us need a new challenge, so hopefully that’s something we can achieve. That would be fantastic.”

And Carnes added: “We could smash through that glass barrier, who knows?”

If you would like to be a part of Staffordshire Nordic Walking, or help in their bid for world glory, email garethcharlesdavies@hotmail.co.uk