According to Google, ‘collective effervescence’ refers to the intense feeling of unity and shared energy that arises when a group of people come together and participate in the same activity, often resulting in a sense of transcendence or “sacredness”. 

I’m SO down with collective effervescence.  It totally encapsulates what I’m always aiming to create when I run group activities.  I think about how to help people feel connected, bonded and relaxed, so that they can bounce off each other and create their own energy and special atmosphere.  I feel like I’m a kind of an energy facilitator. 

I ran a paddleboarding class at Tittesworth on Saturday that was brimming with collective effervescence.  

I had 8 people on my class and it’s always my objective to learn everybody’s names.  It means everyone feels seen and included and a bit special.  And it helps me to give instructions on the water. 

I use a celebrity association technique to learn the names which I ask the group to help with, as it gets everyone giggling.  I use their first name and match them with someone famous. 

For example on Saturday I had Andy Murray, Henry VIII, Angela Rippon, Tim Peak, Mary quite contrary, Rachel from Friends, Louise Minchin and Steve Davies. People tend to enjoy embracing their new identities and it creates some group cohesion from the start. When we got out on the water we started on our knees until we got to a spot that was sheltered from the wind.  I noticed that Angela, Mary and Rachel were not getting much power in their paddling, so I went over and coached them in their paddling technique so they could catch up. 

When we got to our wind free zone we practised a few techniques and quickly went into trying to stand.  There were a few falls, but this group took to it really well apart from Tim Peak.  I’m guessing Tim was in his 60s and had some hip issues so it wasn’t the easiest for him – he also couldn’t swim which I think added to his nerves. 

I realised that he was unlikely to stay standing without some support so I went over and steadied his board. It really helped – he got up fine.  I sensed he wasn’t ready to go it alone with the paddling, so I told him to start paddling with me continuing to steady his board.  It took the wobbly factor out of the equation, which is what makes people nervous, and he could concentrate on seeing what it felt like to paddle standing up.

I was confident that the rest of the group were having fun and were safe testing out stand up paddling, so I left them to it and I hung onto Tim’s board for another 5 minutes to give him a really good grounding in standing up. He loved it!  

By the time I got back to the group, they were all looking pretty confident, but because they were at mixed levels of ability I decided to not take them too far along the reservoir.  So, we stayed stationery and I pulled as many tricks out of my mental tool kit as possible for them to test out.  

We had a very keen 14 year old girl who was very brave and up for trying out all the things, even if it meant she fell in – so I got her doing 180 jumps, forward rolls and step back turns.  Her enthusiasm and daring really inspired the group.  They whooped with delight at all her attempts and it encouraged them to try milder versions of what she was doing.  There was a fantastic energy in the group – it was collective effervescence in action.  If you stoke the conditions, you really can create magic and lift everyone up. 

My group came off the water buzzing and desperate to come back and paddleboard again as soon as possible.  I feel like my new job title should be creative effervescence facilitator.  It’s my calling!