PayItMonthly's Annual Canoeing Day Out 2026!
At PayItMonthly, we believe that exceptional business results start with an exceptional team culture. While our day-to-day focus is on delivering seamless point-of-sale finance solutions for businesses and shoppers, we know how essential it is to step away from the office, recharge, and reconnect.
Following the success of last year’s excursion on the River Wye, the PayItMonthly team recently set out for our annual canoeing team-building day out. Swapping our keyboards and headsets for paddles and life jackets, we headed out into nature for a day of team bonding, laughter, and a bit of friendly competition on the water.
Paddling in Sync: What Happened on the Water
tarting our journey at Ross-on-Wye, we partnered once again with the brilliant team at Symonds Yat Canoe Hire to tackle the scenic Kerne Bridge route. Combining gentle waters with a few lively rapids, it provided the perfect backdrop for all fitness and skill levels.
To make the most of the day and ensure everyone got to spend time with colleagues outside their immediate department, we regularly rotated canoes and partners throughout the paddle.
"You quickly learn that steering a two-person canoe down a river requires the exact same skills we rely on every day in the office: clear communication, adaptability, and trust," says CEO Chris. "When you pair people up from different departments -say, software development with customer support- it breaks down silos in a fun, natural way. You realise very quickly that if you don't paddle in sync, you’re just going in circles!"
The friendly rivalry was in full flow as pairs and quads raced across calm stretches, helped each other navigate rocks, and celebrated reaching the riverbank together.
Why PayItMonthly Prioritises Team Building
For many companies, team building is a once-a-year box-ticking exercise. But building genuine connections doesn't happen during a single annual event. At PayItMonthly, keeping our culture strong is an ongoing effort, which is why we regularly integrate activities into our routine -whether that’s hitting the court for a game of tennis, organising local walks, taking summer days out, or coming together for charity initiatives.
Here is why we continually invest in experiences like these:
- Breaking Down Departmental Silos: In a fast-growing company, cross-department collaboration is crucial. Mixing up team dynamics, whether navigating gentle rapids in a canoe or teaming up for a casual game of tennis, builds genuine relationships between colleagues who might not interact daily.
- Building Trust & Healthier Habits: Swapping our desks for outdoor walks or summer days out gives everyone a chance to recharge together. Facing light challenges or getting active side-by-side builds a foundation of trust that directly carries over into joint workplace projects.
- Cultivating an Open, Inclusive Culture: Getting out of the office levels the playing field. Whether we're rallying around a shared charity cause or just enjoying a walk outside, the informal setting makes team members feel more comfortable sharing ideas, offering feedback, and simply being themselves.
"Building a positive workplace culture isn't something that happens by accident," Chris adds. "It takes active investment in our people. When our team feels connected, valued, and energised, that positive environment naturally extends to how we support our partners and shoppers."
Looking Ahead
Our annual canoeing day out was a resounding success, a reminder that our growth and success as a business are driven entirely by the strength of our people. As we continue to scale our flexible finance solutions, we do so with a stronger, more connected team than ever.
Here’s to many more milestones, shared successes, and adventures -both in the office and out on the river!
