Canoeing for disabled people. Kayaking and canoeing can give everyone a chance to enjoy some exercise and fresh air. Image courtesy of Special Olympics Great Britain.
Paddle-Ability
Canoeing is a highly diverse sport which provides something for everyone, regardless of our age or ability. Canoeing allows us to enjoy some exercise, share a challenge and gain independence whilst also having lots of fun and getting out in the fresh air.
To promote and develop canoeing for disabled people, the British Canoe Union and Canoe England have devised the concept and term Paddle-Ability to address the issue of participation in canoe sport and canoe recreation. Paddle-Ability focuses on the individual’s ability in canoeing rather than disability.
For more information on Paddle-Ability see the Go Paddling website.
ParaCanoe
The International Canoe Federation includes Paracanoe as a discipline, providing opportunities for paddlers with physical disabilities to participate and compete at club, national and international level.
ParaCanoe became a fixture at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio and was included in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics – allowing disabled paddlers to take part at the very highest level of competitive paddlesport.
For more information see the International Canoe Federation website
Special Olympics
The aim of the Special Olympics is to provide sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The Special Olympics provides an opportunity for those with intellectual disabilities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, have fun and share skills and friendship with their families, other athletes and the wider community.
For more on the Special Olympics see www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk
Canoeing for disabled people in London
Most clubs will try to be inclusive, but not all have disabled access or facilities such as accessible toilets / changing rooms.
The Go Paddling website provides a map of UK-wide clubs and providers that say they offer dedicated support for paddlers with a disability.
London clubs that specifically state they offer canoeing for disabled people include Laburnum Boat Club and Surrey Canoe Club.