Adaptive Sport
PaddleAll
PaddleAll is Canoe Kayak Canada’s (CKC) adaptive sport program for canoeing/kayaking in which Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan (CKS) is proud to help support facilitation in Saskatchewan. Adaptive sport is all about inclusion. The PaddleAll program makes paddling accessible to individuals with physical, visual, or cognitive disabilities. By modifying equipment, techniques, and training, these programs provide opportunities for everyone to experience the thrill and benefits of paddling, whether for recreation or competition.
In adaptive canoeing and kayaking, specialized boats, paddles, and support gear are tailored to meet the unique needs of participants. For example, a self-launch dock (right) makes it easier to get into a boat and launch into the water with safety and stability. Adaptations like this ensure ease of control, accessibility, and comfort, allowing more individuals to enjoy the water and improve physical fitness, coordination, and mental well-being.
How to Participate?
CKS Clubs which currently have adaptive equipment include:
Yorkton Canoe & Kayak Club
Moose Jaw Canoe & Kayak Club
Wascana Racing Canoe Club
Saskatoon Canoe Club
Partnership Opportunities
CKS and its member clubs are committed to building opportunities for individuals of all abilities to experience paddling!
Reach out to your local club to see about a potential partnership or targeted session! CKS Member Clubs
Are you in an area that doesn’t have a club but want to organize/host a PaddleAll session/event? Contact CKS
Applying Adaptive Sport To My Club
CKS can help clubs access funding for adaptive sport through Sask Sport and other grants. Grants assist with developing adaptive programming as well as adaptive equipment.
Please email us for more inquiries on how to bring adaptive sport to your club!
Paracanoe
Paracanoe is a form of sprint paddling specifically designed for athletes with physical disabilities. The discipline was first introduced by the International Canoe Federation (ICF) at the 2009 Canoe World Sprint Championships in Dartmouth, Canada, under the name “PaddleAbility.” It was officially rebranded as “Paracanoe” in 2010. Paracanoe made its Paralympic debut at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, marking a significant milestone in the inclusion of adaptive sports in major international competitions.
Athletes in Paracanoe are classified based on their level of trunk and leg function. These classifications help ensure fair competition among athletes with varying physical abilities:
KL1/VL1: Athletes with limited or no trunk and leg function.
KL2/VL2: Athletes with partial trunk function and some leg movement.
KL3/VL3: Athletes with full trunk function and partial leg movement.
The competition features two primary types of boats: kayaks (KL) and va’a (VL) outrigger canoes. Kayaks are equipped with a double-blade paddle, while va’a boats use a single-blade paddle. The boats are specially adapted to accommodate the functional abilities of each athlete, ensuring that all participants can compete on an equal footing.
All paracanoe events are held over a 200-meter sprint distance, testing the athletes’ speed, strength, and technique. The inclusion of Paracanoe in the Paralympics has elevated the sport’s visibility, highlighting the resilience and skill of athletes with physical disabilities on the global stage, while continued advancements in equipment, classification systems, and training are expanding opportunities and providing inspiration within the adaptive sports community.
