We actively encourage anyone with a disability to come and learn to paddle canoe or kayak at Norwich Canoe Club. We take the time to individually assess your needs and wants and find a way to overcome the challenges you face to ensure you can get out on the water. After these one to one sessions you have the option to join one of our regular weekday mornings sessions which are in place especially for paddlers with a disability, or we can continue with one to one sessions. And because of our wide-ranging experience and resources para paddlers travel regularly from far and wide to be a part of our sessions.
We support paddlers with all kinds of disabilities such as complete and incomplete spinal injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and those who have lost a limb. We can also help those with arthritis or mobility issues caused by old age.
The Club has specialist para coaches who have attended coach disability courses run by British Canoeing, and British Canoeing staff often visit the club. Our coaches have huge experience and expertise. We have the GB Para Team Manager at the Club as one of the coaches so we have expertise in performance at a high level too if you become interested in racing.
The Club has extremely stable kayaks with supportive high backed bucket seats, open canoes with adapted seats, and Va’a canoes which have an outrigger – again specially adapted seats. We also have foam blocks and paddling for those who need extra support. Our modern clubhouse is wheelchair friendly, with ramps and lift access to wheelchair friendly changing rooms and showers.
We understand that people wish to paddle often for very different reasons.
Some people wish to get out on the water to improve their well being and mental health. There is lots of wildlife to be seen on the river. Most days you will see kingfishers and herons. Occasionally we see otters and even a seal. We paddle all year and the river is always changing with the seasons.
Some people wish to get a little fitter in the company of friends. If this is your aim then we can definitely help. Canoeing and kayaking help develop core strength. We also have a well equipped gym and run sessions all members can join throughout the year.
And if you want to race, you can! There are opportunities to race short and long distance races. (Sprint and Marathon). In fact the Club have a para marathon World Champion, Shaun Cook who’s inspirational journey started with a nervous trip to the club to find out what canoeing was all about. So if you become inspired by racing there is a pathway all the way to the GB para team.
If you would like to find out more you can speak to Shaun Cook our para world Champion or para specialist coach Tim Scott. They can both be contacted on [email protected].
Or you can complete the form below….
