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PaddleALL

            … to inspire and excite the world.

A New Paralympic Sport

History of Paracanoe
• Summer, 1997 – a 9 year old girl in Rochester, NY
  inspires the vision of va’a in Paralympic Games
• 1998 - Jan Whitaker /Rochester Rehabilitation
  Center begin team outrigger canoe program for
  paddlers with physical disabilities
• 1998 – Rochester River Challenge includes
  paddlers with disabilities and becomes the largest
  inclusive OC sprint race in the United States
• 1999 - Jan Whitaker introduces adaptive outrigger
  canoeing to the world in an article in Kanu
  Culture, Planet Outrigger’s Handbook

• 2001 - U.S. adaptive outrigger canoeing was
   presented at Staffordshire University and to
   the BCU at The Royal Canoe Club, London
• 2001 - United States Canoe Association offers
  exhibition outrigger canoe sprint races for
  paddlers with physical disabilities at Nationals
• 2004 - International Va’a Federation offers DC-
  12 Exhibition Race at World Sprints in Hilo, HI
• 2005 – USCA offers National Championship
  Outrigger Canoe Sprint Races
• 2006 - IVF offers V1, V6 and V12 events for
  adaptive teams in World Sprints in New
  Zealand

• 2008 – Jan Whitaker presents “Outrigger
  Canoeing, a Sport for Paddlers in all major
  Disability groups involved in Paralympic
  Sport” to International Canoe Federation at
  international PaddleAll Conference in Canada
• June, 2008 – United States enters C-2 and K-1
  team in first European Championships that
  included events for PaddleAll paddlers
• 2009 - USA Canoe/Kayak teams medal in ICF
  Sprint World Championships in Nova Scotia
• 2016 - Para Kayak in Paralympic Games
• 2020 - Para Va’a In Paralympic Games

Paracanoe includes
  Kayak and Va’a

Paracanoe
 Para Kayak 200-meter sprint races first appeared
  in 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil.
 Para Va’a 200-meter sprint races will debut in 2020
  Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
 12 athletes can be selected to national teams, one
  male and one female paddler in each of three
  classification categories ( KL1, KL2, KLl3, VL1, VL2,
  VL3) in both kayak and va’a.
 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games will include races
  for MKL1, MKL2, MKL3, WKL1, WKL2 WKL3,
  MVL2, MVL3 and WVL2 Paracanoe athletes.

Athletes are separated into three
categories, L1, L2 and L3 for both kayak and
va’a, based upon physical and functional
assessment of trunk and legs and on-water
technical assessment. L1 paddlers have the
least functional ability; L3, the most.

ICF Paracanoe Eligible Impairments
• Impaired Muscle Power – reduction or
     inability to voluntarily contract
     muscles to move or generate power
• Impaired Range of Motion – restricted or
     lack of passive movement in one or
     more joints
• Limb Deficiency - total or partial absence
     of bones and joints
Note: Upper Limbs Excluded

Paracanoe Ineligible Disabilities
• Leg Length difference
• Short Stature
• Hypertonia
• Ataxia
• Athetosis
• Vision Impairment
• Intellectual Impairment
• Upper Limb Impairment as only
   impairment

Single Kayak
  Same length as ICF Sprint boat (max 520 cm)
  50 cm width at 10 cm water line
  Minimum weight – 12 kg
  Kayaks Ranked from Most Stable to Least Stable:
    Nelo Viper 60
    Nelo Viper 55
    Plastex Para II
    Plastex Para III
    Plastex Para Rio (SM/XL)
    Nelo Viper Paracanoe (PK-1)
    Plastex Para 2018 (Currently only L/XL)
    Nelo Cinco PK-M or PK-L

Women’s KL3 and KL2 Paddlers

 Ashley Thomas (TA), Kelly Allen and Tammy Jopson (LTAs) all placed
 fourth in World Championships from 2009-2012, paddling Nelo kayaks.

KL1 Paddlers
Carol Rogers (Bridge II Sports) and
Vadim Kin (Seattle Canoe/Kayak
Club) National Team members

Men’s KL3 Paddlers

Army Sgt Rob Brown competing in blue Viper 55 in Szeged in 2011.
Rob won Bronze in 2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships.

Single Va`a
  V-1 consists of a rudderless hull and an ama
   (outrigger) connected by two ‘iako
  Max hull length - 730 cm
  Min hull weight - 10 kg
  Rig ama on either side of hull if design permits
  Some Models:
    Fai 3X

    Allwave Vanguard

    Plastex

    Nelo

Va’a Sprint Paddlers
V-1 Men’s Gold,
Augusto Perez,
 in 2008 IVF
World Sprints

• ZRE Power Surge Carbon
                   Outrigger Canoe Paddle

                 • Epic Length-Lock Mid
                   Wing Full Carbon Kayak
                   Paddle

                 • Epic Length-Lock
                   Signature Hybrid Kayak
                   Paddle

                 • Gillespie Hybrid Power
                   Surge Outrigger Canoe
                   Paddle

                 • Kialoa Outrigger (not
Racing Paddles     pictured)

Rochester River Challenge Outrigger
  Canoe Sprint Races, 1997-2017

Peter Crowley

  Hudson River
    Record

First Blind Athlete to Paddle from
   Albany to NYC in Solo Outrigger
Peter’s 137 journey on the Hudson River extended from
September 17-21, 1999 in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd.
Day 1: 32 miles completed in 8 hours
Day 2: 35 miles completed in 9.5 hours
Day 3: 30 miles completed in 11 hours
Day 4: 32.5 miles completed in 11 hours
Day 4: 7.5 miles completed in 3.5 hours (against the tide)

Peter’s send off in Albany and the completion of his journey
at Chelsea Piers was captured live at 8 am by Good Morning
America.

Peter was supported by one sighted paddler/ guide on an
OC-1 and a supply team in an OC-4.

Mana Kai women’s OC-6 Team on
  Lake Champlain in Vermont
  Rochester’s OC-6 and DC-8
 Teams competed in Vermont,
 Maryland and MA. to promote
   classes for paddlers with
     physical disabilities.

2005 KI Cup

   CAOO’s advanced paddlers
teamed up with able-bodied OCC
paddlers in distance races such as
  the 35 mile Kent Island Relay
               Race

Training in Indoor Rowing Tank

  Spring practice/ preparation for exhibition races for
paddlers with physical and intellectual disabilities in the
  rowing tank at the Pittsford Indoor Rowing Center

Heritage Christian Services
paddlers with intellectual
        disabilities

Kirk Bauer and teammates supported the vision of
Va’a in Paralympic Games. Five of these paddlers/four
  CAOO members went on to represent the United
      States in ICF Sprint World Championships.

Hilo, HI

                        Team US - A

Teams Hawaii, US – A,
  Canada and Italy

Wounded Warriors, Kent Island OCC
                                   PT Garry Gellert
                                  encourages young
                                 warrior in 2004 clinic.

  Jan Whitaker demonstrates
paddling technique to Warriors
    from Walter Reed AMC

ECORA’s Team earned a gold medal in the inaugural
V6 IVF World Championship race for Adaptive Paddlers
Their winning time for the 500-meter race was 2:21.76
followed by Italy/Canada - 2:25.30, New Zealand - 2:30.02,
Hawaii - 2:40.06 and England - 2:54.55.

2008 European Championships

Tammy and Xavier, first United States Paddleability
team to compete in International Canoe Federation
international competition , pictured with Coach Jan
Whitaker.
         Race Venue in Milano, Italy

2008 International Va’a Federation
World Sprints in Sacramento, Ca.

     Goose wins a Gold for ECORA

ECORA V-6 and V-12
teams earn a silver and a
bronze medal. First IVF
   full medal event for
 Adaptive Paddlers. The
   team includes three
  Wounded Warriors .

2009 ICF World Sprint
  Championships in Nova Scotia

Tami and Goose win Gold in inaugural Va’a sprint race.

2009 ICF K-2 Silver Medalists

Mark and Rebecca earn a silver medal in inaugural
              kayak sprint race.

USA Canoe/Kayak Paddler
                        earned a Silver medal

Two Paddlers on the
 Exhibition Team at
    2004 USACK
Olympic Trials were
Members of the 2010
 Paracanoe Team in
  ICF Sprint World
   Championships

Bob Balk, USA, won Silver in 2011
    ICF Canoe Sprint World
   Championships in Szeged,
           Hungary

Paracanoeist completes General
Clinton 70-Mile Endurance Race
   Derrick Mertowski and Mark McAndrew place
    13/24 in Men’s NYMCRA Stock Endurance
           Race on Memorial Day, 2012

   Time: 9:47:41

Anja Pierce, USA, won Silver in
   2012 ICF Parcanoe World
Championships in Poznan, Poland

2013 John Robinson’s Erie Canal Journey - Passing through
    Lock #27 in Lyons, NY. John uses new grip aids.

2013 ICF World Sprint Championships
         Duisberg, Germany

     Anja Pierce earned Bronze; Bob Balk placed 5th

    Jan Whitaker served as Para va’a coach for USACK
                         Team

2014 International Canoe Federation World
  Sprint Championships, Moscow, Russia

                                 Anja Pierce
 Bob Balk

Adaptive Equipment

Seating Solutions

Used in round
                   Used in flat    Happy Bottom
bottom kayaks
                  bottom kayaks        Pad

    Bumfortable
                                  Chesapeake Light
      Seats                            Craft

Athletes’ Custom Made Seats
                            V1 Seat for Paddler
                            with High Level
                            Spinal cord Injury

K-1 Seat for Paddler with
   hip disarticulation

Seat in Nelo     Seat on Concept 2
Viper 55 kayak

Creating
 Ability Seat
   set up in
 Tevanui V-1
   provides
  additional
   back and
pelvic support

Creating Ability seat set up in Tevanui V-1 provides
         back, pelvic and lateral support

Custom Seats

Foot cradles fabricated by Brian Prout, CO Beacon
            Prosthetics and Orthotics

Sit Ski Seat

Creating Ability
Socket set up in
  V-1 for va’a
 paddlers with
  above knee
  amputation

Pontoons (Stabilizing Floats)

Adaptations for Paddlers with
     Upper Limb Amputation
 http://www.oandp.com/products/trs/sports-
 recreation/canoeing.asp TRS Hammerhead

Creating Ability Grip Aids

            Slide Hand Grip

Hand Grip Aid                 Propel Grip Aid

Collaboration with Nazareth College
       Physical Therapy Department
                              Concept2 with Paddlesport
                               Training Systems Canoe
                                  Paddling Adapter

Winter Training with Naz PT
         Students

Weight Training at
Nazareth College

Benefits of Training on an Ergometer
•   Great cardio workout
•   Easy Stroke Technique Instruction by Coach
•   Technique Self-evaluation with use of Mirrors
•   Removes Balance Issues when focusing on
    Stroke

Mobility Sports
  Sled Hockey
 Seat set up on
   Kayak Pro
   Ergometer

Photo courtesy of Bridge II
 Sports/Stephen Knight

Bridge II Sports Para Kayak Club

Pool Bench Seat
made by Coach
Stephen Knight

Nelo Viper 55 tethered in pool by Bridge II Sports
     Para Kayak Club Coach Stephen Knight

Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana
Canandaigua VAMC Therapy Pool

Power Stroke

Body Position
 Sit with pelvis tilted forward, lower back
    straight, torso bent slightly forward from hips

   Extend legs forward with a slight bend in
    knees with feet placed on foot brace

Catch Phase
 Hold paddle with top hand on paddle grip and bottom hand on
  shaft about 4” above the blade
 Form a triangle with top hand, bottom hand and on-side
  shoulder when paddle is held vertically in the water

 Bend on-side knee by rotating torso and pelvis, extend lower
  arm

 Drop on-side shoulder forward and down to place paddle in the
  water at right angle to center line of va’a

 Press DOWN with top hand and contract abs to ANCHOR
  whole blade in the water (wrist, elbow and shoulder of top arm
  stay in a line)

Power Phase
 CONCEPT: pull the va’a up to and past the paddle,
  don’t pull the paddle through the water
 With blade completely submerged, extend on-side leg
  and rotate torso and hips to generate power
 Use arms as connectors between power source and
  firmly anchored blade
 Pull on-side shoulder up and back to neutral so both
  shoulders are square
 End power phase when lower elbow is even with torso

Exit and Recovery
 Release pressure on paddle at end of the stroke when
  paddle goes past perpendicular
 Exit should be clean and quick
 Relax hands, lift lower elbow to lead recovery; use arms
  to recover paddle from water
 Rotate torso to set up for catch of next stroke
 Make the recovery phase faster than power phase

General Comments
 Keep movements smooth to maintain glide of va’a

 Keep weight centered with no extra weight on ama

 Anticipate va’a change of direction; correct early

 Control direction of the va’a by changing (paddling)
  sides quickly or using correctional strokes
 Rig ama on right or left side to maximize athlete
  performance

Maximize Ability
 Strive to approximate ideal/able bodied technique
  within limits of disability
 Adaptations allow athlete to use remaining ability with
  minimum restriction
 Too much support as detrimental as too little
 Remove motion which does not add to propulsion
 Protect skin, eliminate pressure and friction points
 Practice “wet exit”, especially if banding to seat back
 Reduce support as skill and strength increase

Major Competitions
 American Canoe Assn Sprint National Championships
 International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint World
  Championships (non-Paralympic years)
 Paralympic Games
 United States Canoe Association National Sprint Race
  Championships for Paddlers with Physical Disabilities
  (annual – August)
 International Va’ a Federation World Sprint
  Championships (bi-annually in even years)

American Canoe Association 2019 National
   Paracanoe Sprint Championships
     August 7-10 at Lake Lanier, Ga.
                    .Nik Miller, KL3

2019 United States Canoe Association National
 Sprint Race Championships for Paddlers with
 Physical Disabilities - August 9 in Warren, Pa.

              2011-2012 USCA V-1 Champion

     Will Arts Photography

Adapted Seats
Mobility Sports (Sled hockey buckets)
http://www.mobilitysports.com/#ecwid:category=1487764&mode=
category&offset=0&sort=addedTimeDesc

Chosen Valley Creating Ability
http://www.creatingability.com/seating.html

Bumfortable
http://www.gurneygears.com/gear/bumfortable_kayak_seat/

Happy Bottom Pad
http://www.clcboats.com/shop/products/boat-gear/kayak-seats-
foam/happy-bottom-pad-kayak-seat.html

Hand Grip Aids
Chosen Valley Creating Ability
http://www.creatingability.com/hand.html

TRS, Inc. TRS Hammerhead Terminal Device
http://www.oandp.com/products/trs/sports-
recreation/canoeing.asp

Kayak Ergometers
 Dansprint Kayak Ergometer
http://uk.dansprint.com/1/1/kayak_ergometer.html

 Kayak Pro SpeedStroke Gym - Kayak
http://www.kayakpro.com/

 PaddleOne Kayak Ergometer
http://paddleone.com/

Va’a Ergometer
 Concept 2 www.concept2.com
    Concept2, Inc. – Indoor Rower Model D
       105 Industrial Park Drive
       Morrisville, VT 05661 USA
    Paddling Adapter for Concept 2 Indoor Rower
       Paddlesport Training Systems
       http://www.paddlesporttraining.com/
 PaddleOne Canoe Ergometer http://paddleone.com/

Great memories,
 great friends

Together, we can put U.S Paracanoe
     Paddlers on the Podium

On It Ability SUP Board

 SUP Package includes board, ramps,
  wheelchair, pontoons and paddle

OC-1 Solo Outrigger Canoe

  OC-1s have a rudder and foot pedals to control
                     direction.
 V1 (solo va’a) do not have a rudder or foot pedals.