Club welcomes ‘surge’ in paracanoe interest

Addlestone Canoe Club (ACC) is the latest club to make strides in expanding opportunities for paddlers of all abilities. Inspired by attending a recent para canoe education day hosted by Paddle UK, the club has witnessed a surge of interest in the sport.

ACC has been welcoming paddlers into the club for their first experiences of the water, ranging from children with disabilities to paddlers with aspirations of reaching the Paralympics.

“The training has already paid dividends,” Caroline Pemble, Chair of Addlestone Canoe Club, said.“The club has three paracanoe athletes, each with unique stories and aspirations. One athlete has a dream of competing at the Paralympics and is now training with us at Addlestone, even braving the coldest days of the year to pursue his goals.

“We also have two young lads now coming down to the club. They’ve been getting involved in our club session, taking part in a bit of race training and they absolutely love it. Their families have even started getting involved in the sport.”

The Paracanoe Education Day, hosted by Paddle UK, provided the club’s coaches and volunteers with invaluable insights into the world of para canoeing.

Led by Paddle UK coaches Attila Herbent and Gary Quittenton, as well as community members Julie Gray, Julia Lawley, and Nick Adnitt, the day covered a wide range of topics, including classification, boat adaptations, safety considerations, and practical handling techniques.

The event also featured inspiring talks from programme athletes, who shared their journeys and experiences with paracanoe.

Caroline continued: “The education day gave us more confidence that what we were doing was ok. I think it also helped us to know who else we can tap into to get that knowledge and learning to adapt the boats and things like that.”

Addlestone Canoe Club’s dedication to inclusivity extends beyond providing coaching and equipment. The club strives to create a welcoming and supportive community for all its members. They communicate openly with potential athletes, addressing their needs and concerns. “We work closely with individuals to assess their needs and ensure safe and enjoyable paddling experiences.”

Looking ahead, Addlestone Canoe Club is eager to expand its paracanoe programme and encourage more people with impairments to take up the sport. “We would say give it a go,” said Caroline.“We’re happy to try and help anyone fulfil their dreams and get them on the water.”

Are you local to Addlestone and interested in getting involved in the sport? Contact the club here to arrange an evening at the club: https://addlestonecc.org.uk/contact.

At the grassroots level, several canoe clubs specialise in Paracanoe, alongside the Paracanoe Talent Academy, which was set up to help athletes continue their development.

To find your local club that has specialist facilities and coaching to support people to try paddling, visit the Find a Club at: https://paddleuk.org.uk/paracanoe.

In addition to clubs, Attila Herbent, Paddle UK’s Paracanoe talent pathway coach, offers para canoe introduction days at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham.
If you want to get involved, contact Attila through the form linked here: https://forms.paddleuk.org.uk/live/form/Paracanoesignup/formperma/30C6ervs_lyy3oYpKN_FDKEmYK8JC4B3xVSwkLOd4QA