Kinsale Outdoor education centre’s newest I Paddle Programme makes a big splash!
The Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre’s I Paddle Club promotes safe and enjoyable paddle sports. I Paddle offers paddle sports like canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding to participants with physical and intellectual disabilities. Participants learn the basic safety and personal skills needed to develop in these sports. while also meeting and getting to know new people, participants benefit from being outdoors, which can reduce stress and improve mood, increase self confidence and self-esteem.
Recently, the Kinsale outdoor education centre have also offered special schools and disability services to go for trips on wheelchair-accessible powerboat ‘Saoirse’ which can cater for up to eight passengers. Saoirse can offer scenic fast (or slow) boat trips around Kinsale Harbour and up sections of the Bandon River. Apart from abundant wildlife, Kinsale and the Bandon River are steeped in maritime history dating back many years. Some sights on these trips are the old head of Kinsale, a view of Charles Fort from the water and the sovereign islands. These trips are open to families, clubs or service providers.
Robert Carroll, assistant manager of the Kinsale OEC, said, “We love helping to facilitate inclusive paddle programmes, especially because both new and returning participants get a chance to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the outdoors and warm sunshine. It’s great to see some participants that we met a couple of months ago at the family Watersport inclusion day, at the beginning of the season.”
Contact:
For more information on any of the inclusive programmes, please contact Sports Inclusion Disability Officer, Cliona at choran@corksports.ie or visit www.corksportsability.ie
Check out the slideshow below for more of the action!
