Disability Inclusion in Paddlesports

PaddleAble is Canoeing Ireland’s Initiative which encompasses all projects, programmes and events which exist to welcome people who require additional supports to join our paddle sports community. This includes anyone who lives with a disability, impairment, chronic medical condition, life altering injury or is neurodiverse and may need learning or any other adaptive supports. Our vision is that everybody can find accessible opportunities to enjoy paddle sports.

Canoeing Ireland is working alongside Active Disability Ireland, Special Olympics Ireland, Paralympics Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Vision Sports Ireland, Deaf Sports Ireland and Vially to ensure continuous development for best practice.

In 2023 Canoeing Ireland were Awarded the Active Disability Ireland Xcessible Bronze Award and is committed to achieving the Silver, and Gold Award. In 2024 Canoeing Ireland were Awarded the NGB of the year award by the Irish Federation of Sport.

Check out some of our PaddleAble programmes below

Image: Logo Paddle Able Ambassador
Image: Graphic Design logo of TOBIN

The PaddleAble Ambassador Programme is aimed at promoting the inclusion of people with additional support needs in paddle sports. As part of this we have some inspirational ambassadors leading the way for people with a wide range of abilities engaging in paddle sports. These powerful stories aim to encourage those who may need additional supports to join our wonderful paddle sports community, to see possibilities for getting out on the water. The final videos of this series are sponsored by TOBIN, a company with a strong focus on ESG and community, TOBIN are the perfect partner to support us to promote the opportunities and accessibility of paddle sports, and continue to grow our community. Check the videos out below –

Mallow Special Olympic Kayakers

PaddleAble Overview

Moira Scott
Autism

Kate Gaughan
Epilepsy

Mark Henderson
Spina Bifida

Lisa Coogan
Down Syndrome

Carol Ann Ronan
Hearing impairment/ Arthritis

Aoibheann Gill
Left Hemi Paresis

Jude Nugent
Down Syndrome

PaddleAble Educate

The PaddleAble Educate Workshop is an initiative from Canoeing Ireland designed to promote inclusivity within paddle sports, ensuring that individuals with disabilities, impairments, or additional support needs can fully participate. This workshop aims to equip instructors, coaches, and volunteers with the necessary skills to adapt paddle sports activities, making them accessible to all.

Educate
Find out more…

PaddleAble Programme Grant

Canoeing Ireland have a funding grant available to registered providers to assist with supporting people with disabilities in paddlesports, if you would like to avail of this, please fill in the application form and follow this up with an email to emer@canoe.ie.

Grants
Apply here…

PaddleAble Resources

Communication Checklist

Active Disability Ireland Factsheet

Active Disability Ireland Autism Passport

Active Disability Ireland TREE Model

‘A Drop in the Ocean’ Research

NEAR Project Research

Active Disability Ireland Club Toolkit

Sign the Sports Inclusion Charter

Canoeing Ireland Disability Inclusion Policy

More Active Disability Ireland Resources

Paracanoe

Are you interested in Paracanoe racing? Paracanoe is flatwater canoe racing over a 200m course. International competitions take place at European, World and Paralympic level. We are always searching for the next Para- Athletes in canoeing, with Paracanoe being an extremely accessible way to pursue competition with a range of abilities. Find out more here –

Paracanoe.
Find out more…

Disability Inclusion in Clubs

Help your club become more inclusive by following these steps –

1.

Sport Inclusion Disability Charter

Help us become a more inclusive sport and sign up to the Active Disability Ireland Charter. Signing up means that people with disabilities will recognise your club as working towards inclusivity and being welcoming to all. Active Disability Ireland are the NGB for Sport inclusion in Ireland and they have some brilliant resources available. Check out the Cara Disability Fact Sheets.

2.

Inclusion in Paddle sports Workshops

We have 3 webinars recorded which cover the topics: Disability Awareness in Paddle sports, Autism Awareness in Paddle sports & Physical Disability Awareness in Paddle sports. These include individuals with autism and a wheelchair user, as well as some of the top instructors in the field speaking from their experience. Click below to watch the recordings –

Disability Awareness and Inclusion

Autism Awareness in Paddlesports

Physical Disabilities in Paddlesports

3.

Image: Logo GTG Canoeing Ireland logo.

Canoeing Ireland developed the Good2Go Award which is perfectly suitable for people of all abilities to get started with paddle sports. It can be taught on any paddle sports craft, and focuses on the personal benefits of paddle sports! Try this with groups/individuals if the general awards are not suitable or too technical heavy to start with. Click below to find out more about the Good 2 Go programme –

4.

Stay Connected! Join the PaddleAble Community Facebook group to connect with other clubs, providers, groups and individuals who are progressing paddle sports for people of all abilities. Ask for advice, give advice and learn from each other. Join the group below –

5.

Connect with local and national organisations to help preparing for different people who you are encouraging to join your club –

If you have any further questions or wish to connected directly with any of these organisations please contact emer@canoe.ie

If you need some extra assistance when having the first conversation to welcome someone with a disability to your club or organisation we have a helpful communication checklist for guidance on questions you and the participant can ask each other –

Communication Checklist

More Resources