The Halberg Foundation has been supporting Canoe Racing NZ to develop our PaddleAble Disability Inclusion Education, an important pillar vital to our vision of becoming an inclusive paddling community where disabled paddlers can participate alongside their non-disabled peers, both recreationally and at events.
Recently, we were invited to attended the Halberg Foundation Advisor Hui where we presented the PaddleAble to 12 of their advisors. Aaron Osborne, PaddleAble Project Lead, used this time to educate the advisors about our sport, the different ways of modifying paddling equipment and took them paddling so they were able to experience it for themselves. He also took advantage of their experience working in the disability sector to receive feedback on our project, our approach and the PaddleAble resources and education program we have developed.
The Halberg Foundation is a charitable organisation founded in 1963 by Olympic legend, Sir Murray Halberg ONZ, MBE on the belief that all people, regardless of their ability, should have equal opportunity to enhance their lives through sport and recreation
Halberg advisors are based throughout New Zealand and are embedded in local communities working with physically disabled young people and their families, as well as sport providers (clubs/schools etc) to get them involved in sports and recreation.
The intention is that Halberg Advisors, alongside CRNZ will deliver PaddleAble Disability Inclusion Education and provide ongoing local support to clubs to be more disability inclusive organisations.
“I have discussed what CRNZ are doing to the advisers a number of times. But to have a session where they are able to hear first-hand about the PaddleAble programme and how CRNZ intend to go about delivering was great.” Said James Glen, Lead Advisor for Central Auckland and Waitakere.
“By far the best part was for the advisers to get out on the water, experience the boats for themselves and see the stabilizers and other modifications that can be made. The session has given the advisers greater knowledge and confidence to be able to support kayak clubs and coaches to cater to disabled paddlers.”
“The advisers were really impressed with the staged approach to this programme, with a focus on building the capabilities of the clubs and its coaches to ensure long-term sustainability. They look forward to assisting CRNZ in rolling this out over the next 12 months or so, in the regions.”
PaddleAble is a framework developed by CRNZ, with support of disability sport organisations, to guide and support paddling clubs/providers to be able to offer and deliver quality and equitable paddling opportunities to disabled people, through provision of education, resources, systems and equipment. Clubs, providers and events can apply to have the PaddleAble endorsement from CRNZ, which will signal that the organisation has and is taking steps/actions to ensure they can cater for, and provide positive paddling opportunities to disabled participants. The PaddleAble endorsement will help promote the organisation or activity as Disability Inclusive.
If your club or organisation would like to become PaddleAble endorsed or work towards becoming more Disability Inclusive please get in contact with Aaron aaron.osborne@canoeracing.org.nz
If you would like to learn more about PaddleAble (CLICK HERE)
If you are interested in attending PaddleAble Disability Inclusion Education please complete the following form (CLICK HERE)
Paracanoe update
We are currently also committed to provide more disability inclusive events. CRNZ will have Paracanoe events (KL1, KL2, KL3 and an open category) at our National Championships in 2023.
If you would like learn more about Paracanoe racing please (CLICK HERE)
