Para Canoe
2025 Ignite Para Canoe in BC Project
Ignite Para Canoe in BC - A New Opportunity to Get on the Water!
Canoe Kayak BC, in collaboration with Burnaby Canoe & Kayak Club and the University of British Columbia, is excited to introduce a new Para Canoe program as part of the Ignite Para Canoe in BC research study.
This unique program provides individuals with physical disabilities the chance to experience paddling in a safe, supportive, and structured environment. Participants will receive high-quality instruction while contributing to valuable research aimed at advancing Para Canoe development in British Columbia.
Fall Program Details:
-
Youth (Ages 12-18) / Young Adult (Ages 19-25)
-
Program Dates: September 8 to October 6, 2025
-
Days: Mondays
-
Time: 6 - 7:30 PM
-
Location: Burnaby Lake (Burnaby Canoe & Kayak Club)
-
-
Equipment:
- Provided
- Our dock is wheelchair accessible and staff are trained to help with transfers, but we do not have a lift at this time
This is an exciting opportunity for youth and young adults to engage in adaptive paddling, improve fitness, and be part of an inclusive sporting community. No prior experience is required—just a willingness to learn and have fun on the water!
Interested? For more information or to sign up, please contact:
Mitchell Barran
Doctor of Medicine (MD) Student
Faculty of Medicine, UBC
barranm@student.ubc.ca
Or reach out to Canoe Kayak BC at development@canoekayakbc.ca.
Join us in helping shape the future of Para Canoe in British Columbia!
CKBC Coaching Athletes with Disabilities Coaching Course
Overarching Goal:
To help coaches feel comfortable and competent when coaching and supporting athletes with a disability
Key Outcomes:
- Understand the nuances of adaptive sport
- Enhance coaches ability to communicate respectfully (i.e. language considerations) and learn to create safe, fun and inclusive environments for athletes with a disability
- Understand how to build and sustain a successful adaptive program
- Develop skills to modify equipment to create the best possible experience for athletes with a disability
Pedagogical Approach:
- Formal: participants will be required to complete the NCCP Coaching Athletes with a Disability eLearning course
- Practical: In-person Workshop at False Creek Sprint Racing Canoe Club. Participants will review facility accessibility; equipment adaptations; practice patient transfers; and role play different scenarios that coaches/volunteers may encounter. The Workshop will include a number of professionals and participants.
- Lived: Q & A Session with L.A. Schmidt. Participants will learn from experiences of L.A. in building successful adaptive paddling programs - from grassroots participation all the way to athletes competing internationally.
All participants will have the workshop recorded on their Coaches Association of Canada coach transcript.
Costs: Free (this includes the NCCP Coaching Athletes with a Disability eLearning course. Once registered, participants will receive a code to pay for the NCCP course)
Dates/Location:
- NCCP Coaching Athletes with a Disability eLearning course (virtual): self-paced but recommended to be completed prior to the Q & A Workshop
- Q & A Workshop with L.A. Schmidt (virtual): Thursday, May 7 - 6:30 PM
- In-Person Workshop: Saturday, May 9 at False Creek Sprint Racing Canoe Club (1318 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC). Time TBC.
About Para Canoe
Para Canoe is an adaptive paddling sport that allows individuals with physical disabilities to compete in two main types of boats: kayaks (KL), which use a double-blade paddle, and va’a (VL) outrigger canoes, which use a single-blade paddle. Each boat is adapted to suit the athlete's functional abilities.
Classification
Athletes are classified into three categories based on their level of trunk and leg function:
-
KL1/VL1: Limited or no trunk and leg function.
-
KL2/VL2: Partial trunk function with some leg movement.
-
KL3/VL3: Full trunk function with partial leg function.
A great explanation of the classification system used in canoe/kayak can be found here.
Para Canoe provides an inclusive and competitive opportunity for athletes to thrive on the water—whether for recreation or international competition.
