Everyone who paddles knows the joy, freedom and connection that comes from being on the water. We all know that it’s worth sharing widely.
Female-focused programs in both participation and leadership are strengthening our sport, while accessible people, places, and programs make it possible for anyone to join in.
By working together to ensure safe, welcoming spaces where bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination have no place, we’re building a stronger paddling community for all.
The AWA is committed to these values through its Inclusion Statement and IDEAS framework, guiding opportunities and possibilities for people, places, and programs across Alberta, and we can clearly see that many AWA Clubs are as well! <3
Equity in Leadership - All-Female NCCP RL2/RI2 Course:
In early September, six women took part in an all-female NCCP River Leader 2 / River Instructor 2 course. The group not only advanced their own paddling skills but also focused on safe leadership, effective teaching, and setting others up for success on the river. Supported by AWA subsidies and Bow Valley Kayaking Club (BVKC) leadership, this course showed how women-specific programming can be a game changer in building confidence, fostering community, and strengthening the pathway for more women to lead in paddlesports.
Opportunity for Women Participation:
The United Albertan Paddling Society (UAPS) in Edmonton hosted six Women Only sessions this summer at the Rundle Park Paddling Centre, drawing 17 participants. This is up from last year's UAPS Womens Only program and 4 were returning paddlers! With both young and mature women taking part, the program creates a supportive, social space for learning.
Big thanks to the Edmonton Paddling Centre Association for their support in making these sessions possible.
Adaptive Paddling - Creating Opportunities!
The Edmonton Whitewater Paddlers (EWP) have been partnering with the Edmonton Paralympic Sports Association for several years now and have grown their Adaptive Paddling program by leaps and bounds.
First they obtained more stable kayaks. Then they explored solutions to extra stability (pontoons), paddle gripping, supporting seating and tandem kayaking options. This year they added paddleboards for wheelchairs and adapted programming to get even more folks out on the water paddling!
EWP, along with the Edmonton Paddling Centre Association (EPCA) took steps in 2024 to apply for funding for an adaptive launch at the Rundle Park Paddling Centre in Edmonton and have been awarded the funding!! Next season, paddlers, coaches, families, seniors - everyone will benefit from this work and have even more access to paddlesport activities.
Thank you EWP for taking steps to explore the Opportunities and Possibilities!
Paddle Forward - Indigenous Youth Paddling Programs
The AWA was given the opportunity to provide another successful year of Indigenous youth paddling programs. Youth Summer Programs with the Cold Lake First Nations, the Mînî Thnî Youth Summer Camps (Nakoda Lake) and youth programs in Rocky Mountain House. The return of so many participants from previous years shows just how meaningful paddlesport opportunities are in these communities.
We are grateful for the continued partnership of Spirit North, who work alongside First Nations to create paddling programs across Alberta, and for the support of AWA Education Chair Lisa Isley at Nakoda Lake. A special thanks as well to the Waterwerks leaders, whose knowledge and enthusiasm help make these sessions safe, fun, and full of learning.
We are seeing more Indigenous youth paddling than ever before!
#Jumpstart #SpiritNorth #ColdLakeFirst Nations #IyarheNakoda
Invitation for IDEAS stories - WE WANT TO KNOW!
How have you / your club been exploring the possibilities and creating the opportunities for more inclusion in paddlesport activities?
ORANGE ON THE WATER DAY - September 30
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is just around the corner, also known as Orange Shirt Day. It’s a time to honour Survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and reflect on our responsibility to reconciliation.
This year we invite all paddlers and clubs to join the Orange on the Water Challenge: wear orange, bring orange onto the water, and take a photo to share on social media or send it to AWA (admin@albertawhitewater.ca) using #EveryChildMattersOnTheWater.
Since September 30 falls on a Tuesday, we encourage groups to take part the weekend before (Sept. 27–28) so more paddlers can participate.
On Orange Shirt Day we can remember the children who never returned home and reflect on our role in reconciliation. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action #87–#91 emphasize the role of sport in building understanding and creating opportunities.
The AWA's programs with Cold Lake First Nation, the Mînî Thnî Youth Summer Camps at Nakoda Lake, and Indigenous youth in Rocky Mountain House are not just introducing paddling, they are growing leaders. From Cold Lake youth who have advanced through NCCP instructor training, to Mînî Thnî community members who earned their Lake Kayak Instructor certifications in 2022 and are now supporting on-water sessions, we are seeing leadership pathways take root.
This growth in skills, confidence, and community leadership is opening doors for more Indigenous youth to experience paddling in meaningful ways.
Let’s honour the past and paddle forward together toward reconciliation.
#EveryChildMattersOnTheWater #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #NDTR #TruthAndReconciliation #PaddleForward
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