ANGUSalive Annual Report 2022/23: Countryside Adventure Case Study
ANGUSalive’s Annual Report 2023/23 features our Countryside Adventure team celebrated “Paddlefest”!
In June 2022, ANGUSalive hosted their first ever “Paddlefest” a collaboration between ANGUSalive and Scottish Disability Sport, bringing together individuals with physical, sensory, or learning disabilities for a day of para-water sports at Monikie Country Park.
The event – headed by Laura Smith OBE, Disability and Inclusion Lead at ANGUSalive – who has been a key driving force in the Angus community for sports accessibility.
Paddlefest was designed to give people an opportunity to try watersports with supportive coaches within a venue equipped for delivering water sessions for people with a disability. It is ANGUSalive’s ambition that this type of event will encourage more people with physical, sensory and/or learning disabilities to take up a paddle sports over the longer term and indeed encourage them to do so.
To ensure a successful experience, ANGUSalive organised a preparatory workshop called ‘Paddle-Ability’ in May 2022.The training was delivered by Roger Holmes, tutor with Scottish Canoe Association and allowed people an insight into the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing paddle sports. The training was also attended by Paralympian Gemma Lumsdaine who offered her support.
The ‘Paddlefest’ event itself was a resounding success. Attendees – guided by supportive coaches from Able2Adventure and the Scottish Canoe Association – enjoyed launching canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards into the water alongside their supportive families and friends.