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In the Adapted Paddling Program we understand that people with mobility impairments experience countless barriers to their daily movement. That is why kayaking can be so empowering as it provides an environment in which everyone’s movement is free and unimpeded. For someone with a mobility impairment kayaking can be a very empowering and potentially life changing experience. The Adapted Paddling Program strives to:
- Offer a kayak program three times each year to the community of people with disabilities.
- Modify paddling equipment to meet each paddler’s unique individual needs.
- Provide expert instruction from American Canoe Association (ACA) instructors and Licensed Physical Therapists.
- Advocate for people with disabilities by having Cal Poly students learn to look past the disability and see the human being.
- Encourage participants to bring a friend or family member to share the experience.
In the Adapted Paddling Program, ACA instructors and licensed Physical Therapists provide two days of intensive training for Cal Poly students who are studying Adapted Physical Activity. One day is spent at Crandall Pool where students learn different kayak strokes, safety techniques, how to adapt kayaks to each individual participant, and many other things. The second day is spent in Morro Bay learning to apply the skills learned previously in the swimming pool. Having completed their training the students become assistant instructors for the Adapted Paddling Program which again is delivered in a weekend format.
Participants spend Saturday at Crandall Pool where both the instructors and assistant instructors work to customize a kayak to meet each participant’s individual needs before teaching them the basics of paddling. On Sunday participants take a 2-hour kayak trip in the serene, calm, estuary at Morro Bay. The trip involves seeing a wide variety of marine wild life up close and personal in addition to other beautiful sites. The instructors (PT’s and ACA Instructors) and the assistant instructors (Cal Poly students) accompany participants at all times providing individualized instruction and ensuring each person’s safety. Tandem kayaks are provided along with single kayaks.
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What if I’ve never paddled before?
Don’t worry; We have plenty of talented instructors and assistant instructors who are very patient and passionate about teaching paddling!
Where is the class taught?
The class is first taught in Crandall Pool on the Cal Poly campus, then the class moves to Morro Bay.
What if the boat tips over?
Participants wear a personal flotation device and are trained in rescue procedures as part of the program. If you do tip you will quickly be surrounded by people trained to rescue you! You can choose the type of experience you want-some people even tip the boat over for fun!
Where can I find more information about programs like this?
www.acanet.org - American Canoe Association.
www.ncpad.org - The National Center for Physical Activity and Disability.
www.necky.com - This is one of our major contributors to the Adapted Paddling Program, and a great source for kayaks and all kayaking needs.
www.slocoaccess.org - Our major partner in all of our adapted physical activity programs. They offer all kinds of programs throughout the Central Coast and SLO. Contact them and check out the programs they offer!
www.palaestra.com - This is the Forum of Sport, Physical Education and Recreation for those with disabilities. They put out a quarterly publication and they are a premier resource on adapted physical activity.
www.kinesiology.tcu.edu/labs_adapted.html - Check out what other schools are doing with adapted programs. This site is about Texas Christian University’s program.
www.pe.central.vt.edu/adapted/adapted sites.html - Check out the adapted physical activity portion of PE Central.