Wheels to Water

Wheels to water has been an annual event at Castle Semple Country Park  that in partnership with other organisations such as Scottish Disability Sport, RYA Scotland, National Deaf Children’s Society and Scottish Cycling offers a wide range of opportunities for people with a Disability to take part in a variety of sport including paddlesport. The activities that have been offered are canoeing, kayaking, cycling, sailing, and powerboating. This has also allowed coaches and volunteers from many different Canoe and Kayak clubs alongside various providers to have the opportunity to support people with a disability to try paddlesport, while themselves being supported by the coaches of Castle Semple. This approach has increased the number coaches with knowledge and confidence to be able to support paddlers with a disability take part in paddlesport. 

Despite the 2020 event having to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic we have every intention to continue to run this event annually. So if you are interested in taking part keep a lookout for future events or contact equality@canoescotland.org.

Inclusive Paddlesport Project

Despite the great success of Wheels to Water the SCA felt that it wasn’t resulting in many of the participants taking part longer term. It was felt we could do more to help increase the participation of paddlers with a disability and for them to find more opportunities within clubs. From here the Inclusive Paddlesport Project was developed in partnership with Scottish Disability Sport and the MS Society. 

This project was aimed at helping people with a disability alongside their family or friends to enter a club environment close to where they live. Unlike wheels to water this opportunity was for 3 - 4 consecutive weeks allowing everyone to practice, show progression and begin to feel a part of the club. 

The club sessions were supported by the SDS, the MS Society and the SCA’s Development Manager Roger Holmes to work initially alongside three SCA affiliated Clubs. This support for both the club, coaches and participants, along with a selection of SCA adaptive  equipment helped to enable these sessions to take place.

The initial three clubs were Fife CAG, Forth Canoe Club and Aberdeen Kayak Club. Since then the SCA has engaged with other clubs such as Inverness Canoe Club and is investigating further opportunities across Scotland. If your Club is interested in taking up a similar opportunity please contact Roger Holmes.

Read More about the Inclusive Paddlesport Project here.

Paddle Ability is a three hour classroom-based workshop aimed at anyone who would like to develop their understanding of working with paddlers with a disability. If you, your club or centre would like your coaches or volunteers to take part in Introduction to Paddle Ability training then please contact the SCA at  hello@canoescotland.org. You will also find an online British Canoeing  'Introduction to Disability Awareness' eLearning will give you an insight into the different types of disability, acceptable terminology and what you can do to help.