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Accessible Paddling Equality Group 

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The SCA over recent years has been working hard to help people with a disability to take part in paddlesport. This has been through being a partner in the annual events such as Wheels to Water, working with clubs through the Inclusive Paddlesport Project, supporting coaches and volunteers with Disability awareness training - Paddle Ability, as well having a selection of Adaptive Equipment that can be loaned to clubs, providers and centres. 


The SCA is really keen to build on this by forming a new 'Accessible Paddling Equality Group'  made up of people who are passionate about making paddlesport inclusive to people with a disability. If you are interested in being part of this group please get in touch. 


Click here to find out how to get into paddling when you have a disability.


Aims

The Accessible Paddling Equality Group will work towards removing the real and perceived barriers for people with disability to take part in paddlesport. It will support and promote opportunities and good practice that aid greater involvement and participation by people with a disability in paddlesport. The group will decide and help steer how it achieves these objectives and help finalise its own Terms of Reference. 


Enquiries and further contact

The SCA is always happy to help people with a disability find opportunities to take part in paddlesport. This can be done either by searching the Go Paddling website or contacting Roger Holmes - roger.holmes@canoescotland.org. to help you find a club or provider near you.


If you are interested in getting involved and making a difference please get in touch: equality@canoescotland.org


Terms of reference for the Accessible Paddling Equality Group.

Who's on the committee?

Ian Bowler: I've a passion for empowering folk to take part and experience things, to reach their goals, to build confidence and let then folk go!  I'm a qualified teacher of the Deaf having retrained over 30 years ago. I've worked supporting people from ages 2-19 year olds and adults in formal and informal settings. I've also acted as an advocate and professional adviser to children and adults to allow them opportunities  that we accept as normal. My simple goal is to allow everyone to believe " I can " and support them in their journeys that they choose.

As a result I've run and supported people on trips and expeditions in the UK and abroad. I'm a multi disciplined paddlesport coach, educator and provider  for ; river and sea paddling activities based in Inverness the Highland capital.

Steven Nelson: I have worked in various roles within the disability and mental health sector for 25 years.


I am qualified at Paddlesport Instructor level, my main focus is the development of Stand Up Paddleboarding although I do also run kayak and canoe sessions.


I set up and have been running a charity since 2011 called a Beyond Boundaries East Lothian (BBEL) which provides adventurous outdoor activities for people with disabilities and mental health issues .


We operate at a foundation level , more introductory and come and try  and basic paddling sessions , very much for leisure and physical activity rather than coaching the next paralympians, however we do encourage and signpost those that wish to develop their paddling to a more mainstream club  for further coaching.

Andrew Bunting: I was introduced to paddling by my older brother who is autistic, seeing him come back talking so enthusiastically and passionately after a couple of sessions made me want to try it… 



This sport has taken me to some amazing places, with crossings to Ailsa Craig, a circumnavigation of Bute, Raasay and Rona, Canna and Rhum as well as a camp on Eilean Mòr of the MacCormaig Isles.



This sport supplied an escape for me as a way of dealing with my dad’s passing.  I am hoping to develop my passion for kayaking and the outdoors into a career; after getting my paddlesport leader and instructor certificates, I was able to get sessional work with local businesses and I coach for my club. After all this I feel incredibly grateful and want to give back to the sport that gave me so much by getting more young people involved and making it more accessible.

Rab Wallace: 


I started my paddling in the early 90s with the military. I experienced some amazing canoe and kayak expeditions in Canada, Germany and Austria. I transitioned to Paddleboarding in 2010. Being a parent of an autistic and disabled child led me down the path of supporting Disabled and Neurodivergent Adaptive Paddling. I am really keen to extend these areas of interest through my membership of the SCA Equality Groups. 
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