Alberta Whitewater Association - Supporting Accessible Coaching for All

With the support of the Alberta Whitewater Association, coach Heather was able to access the dry suit she needed to maintain her body heat as she strives to improve her personal kayaking skills as she builds her coaching experience. She has endeavoured to take leadership relevant training and has been helping to introduce women, including others with physical disabilities, to paddlesports.

With an impaired ability to keep her legs and feet warm due to her physical disability of paralysis, becoming very cold in these more remote locations where courses and programming occurs, can quickly lead to a medical emergency. The drysuit has allowed Heather to prioritize her physical health and well-being in order to safely complete her training courses on moving water and Class 2 rivers. Appropriate gear has been crucial to her success and the safety of those she paddles with, including participants who rely on her.

Testimonial from Heather

“The impact of these new skills and credentials will help me step into more leadership positions where I will be able to help other women and people living with disabilities to join the paddling community. On the Alberta whitewater paddling scene, I am seen as a sort of pioneer, being one of the very few people with a physical disability to paddle whitewater in Alberta. Another big impact is in the area of organizational culture and leader bias. I am helping educate decision makers and leaders in paddlesports about the things that can be done to accommodate various disabilities, and highlight considerations they may not have been aware of previously. Many females hesitate to join a sport like whitewater kayaking, but seeing me, a middle-aged woman with a disability, succeed and grow my skills and abilities, they begin to consider the fact that they may be able to do it as well. The gear I have been able to obtain and skills I have learned have set me up for a successful future in the sport of whitewater kayaking. I love teaching and have been able to learn from some of the best teachers in the sport. I have begun to understand the steps necessary to teach others, and am in the perfect position to welcome and lead new paddlers. Being a participant with BDP (the Beginner Development Program with the United Albertan Paddling Society) has introduced me to new rivers around the province, all of which are accessible given the right gear and planning. I look forward to eventually becoming a leader within the program, working with the team to create opportunities for new female paddlers and people with disabilities so that they can have a positive, safe, rewarding experience.”