Paddleability
Paddleability is the name of the new program for athletes with physical disabilities competing in the sport of canoe sprint.
2008 was a ground-breaking year for this program! The first international conference was held in Montreal, Canada. The first international competition was held in Milian, Italy. Canada included Paddleability races in the National Championship, for the second time. The next step, is qualify for inclusion in the 2016 Paralympic Games by meeting the standards for inclusion set out by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Paddleability will need to increase its participation to a minimum of 24 countries from 3 continents.
In 2009, athletes with physical disabilities will compete in four full medal events at the 2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships for the first time! Including this event in the World Championships will move canoe sprint and Paddleability athletes one step closer to the 2016 Paralympics.
Who can participate?
Paddleability is for everyone no matter your disability! At the 2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships the following races will be included in the program
‘LTA’ - Legs, Trunk, Arms: Paddlers who have the use of their legs, trunk and arms.
Eligible paddlers may typically be: amputee, neurological impairment equivalent to lesion at S, cerebral palsy class 8 (CPISRA)
‘TA’ - Trunk, Arms: Paddlers who have some trunk movement but are not able to propel the boat through hip rotation due to significantly weakened function of the lower limbs.
Eligible paddlers may typically have a minimum disability equivalent to at least one of the following:, bilateral around knee amputation, or significantly impaired quadriceps, or, neurological impairment equivalent to a complete lesion at L3 level, or an incomplete lesion at L1, or, combination of the above such as one leg with around knee amputation and one leg with significant quadriceps impairment; or, classification by CPISRA as eligible to be in class 5
‘A’ - Arms only: Paddlers who have no or minimal trunk function (Shoulder function only). The paddler is able to apply force predominantly using the arms and/or shoulders.
Eligible paddlers may typically have a disability equivalent to at least one of the following: cerebral palsy class 4 (CPISRA); or,, neurological Impairment with a complete lesion at T12 level, or an incomplete lesion at T10.
How do I get involved?
The first step to getting involved is to get in touch with Canoe ‘09 who can help you get involved with a local paddleability program or provide you with more information. The rest is up to you!
