Adaptive Paddling Workshops

April 14-15: Charleston, SC - Hosted by Charleston County Parks & Rec Commission
Contact: Mark Hamlin (843) 762-2172 mhamlin@ccprc.com  
Note: This course is only for currently certified ACA Instructors

May 13-16: New Haven, CT - Hosted by New Haven Parks Rec & Trees
Contact: Martin Torresquintero (203) 946-6768 mtorresq@newhavenct.net

June 3-6: Durham, NH - Hosted by Northeast Passage
Contact: Crystal Skahan (603) 862-0070 crystal.skahan@unh.edu

June 24-27: Akron, OH - Hosted by University of Akron
Contact: John MacDonald (330) 972-8028 jam3@uakron.edu

Summer (date TBD): Fredericksburg, VA - Hosted by ACA and Virginia Outdoor Center
Contact: Jeremy Oyen (540) 907-4460 joyen@americancanoe.org  

September 9-12: Marquette, MI - Hosted by Bay Cliff Health Camp
Contact Karen Schlicher (906) 345-9314 BayCliffHC@aol.com

These workshops are designed to provide instructors, outfotters, recreation program providers, and rehabilitation professionals with the information they need to integrate padders with disabilities into their programs. Under the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, a person may not be excluded from a program just because they have a disability. Program providers need to be prepared to integrate persons with disabilities into existing programs. The workshop includes how to compensate for paddlers loss of function due to disability, how to adapt equipment and instruction and how to focus on the paddlers' ability. This course includes a classroom and hands-on learning, an on-water pool session and open water paddling. ACA certified paddling instructors can receive the Adaptive Paddling Endorsement upon completion of this workshop.

The ACA is actively committed to equal access to paddlesport and to the full integration of paddlers who have disabilities. Paddlers who have disabilities may need unique paddling information about adaptive equipment and resources. The ACA Adaptive Paddling Program (APP) is meeting these needs in the following ways:

• The APP serves as a clearinghouse for information on paddling including:
  1. Adaptations for seating, paddles, grips/gloves, and so forth;
  2. Accessibility to instruction, paddling areas, and related businesses;
  3. And, as a resource for instructors, with additional training on how to include paddlers with disabilities.
• The APP works one-on-one with paddlers and would-be paddlers to suggest specific resources including adaptations to meet their needs and instruction sites in their local area. Send your questions to the adaptive paddling experts in the SEI Department. 
• The APP is the source for the book, Canoeing and Kayaking for People with Disabilities (2009). To order a copy of this book visit the ACA Store
• The APP presents Adaptive Paddling Workshops around the country to assist instructors, paddling program providers, and recreation and rehabilitation specialists working with paddlers who have disabilities.
• The APP nationally publicizes the potential of paddlers with disabilities through articles and presentations.
• The APP consults with existing paddling programs to assist in the inclusion of paddlers with disabilities.
• The APP works with designers and manufacturers to develop adaptive paddling equipment.

Adaptive Paddling Instructor Criteria and Performance Objectives