The AWA's Inclusion Statement

Our approach to diversity and inclusion is simple: Embrace Everyone.

The Alberta Whitewater Association is committed to creating a culture where everyone feels safe, welcome and accepted. We celebrate people’s uniqueness and different lived experiences. As leaders in paddling activities in Alberta, the AWA recognizes that we can guide our vast community of clubs and paddling disciplines towards ensuring that all who come to learn and participate in paddlesports have the opportunity to do so at their level in an inclusive, accessible, and safe environment.

Opportunities.    

The AWA is committed to creating a culture where everyone feels welcome and accepted as they are, regardless of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, cultural, ethnic, or religious background.

We also seek to understand and listen intently, recognizing that meaningful inclusion requires ongoing growth. We acknowledge that we don’t know what we don’t know—and we are committed to learning. By valuing sharing and listening, we aim to create spaces where everyone can contribute, connect, and feel they truly belong.

What We Do

As an organization, the AWA aims to empower people by respecting and appreciating what makes them different while connecting and supporting clubs and disciplines to build a wide and inclusive paddling community. We welcome all who come to learn and participate in paddlesports and provide pathways for individuals to do so at their level or in the role they so choose as they engage and grow within the paddle sport community.

The Future 

The AWA will  demonstrate its commitment to developing practices which accommodate diverse learning styles and/or abilities. We will continue to seek opportunities for and support woman led initiatives. We will continue to embrace our programs with indigenous peoples and foster partnerships in order to share paddling activities in outdoor spaces with newcomers and peoples living with disabilities, seen and unseen. Inclusive paddlesports and activity spaces will provide different options for people from different backgrounds, genders, ages, sexual orientations, abilities and circumstances, in different paddlesport settings and contexts. We all belong on the water.

We have great I.D.E.A.S.   -    Embrace Everyone

Inclusion      Diversity     Equity      Access      Safe Spaces

At the Alberta Whitewater Association (AWA), our mission is simple: Embrace Everyone. We believe in the power of I.D.E.A.S. and are dedicated to creating a community where everyone feels safe, welcome, and accepted. Rooted in our core values of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Safe Spaces, the I.D.E.A.S. framework guides us in making real and lasting impacts. Our goal is to create a paddling community where everyone, regardless of their background or abilities, feels respected and empowered participate.

• Inclusion
  • Inclusion for us means actively reaching out and providing support and opportunities for all individuals to engage in paddling, whether they are beginners or experienced paddlers, ensuring that no one is left on the side.
  • Being Inclusionary means that we want to support clubs and organizations in providing opportunities for all to engage in paddling activities. We are doing this by supporting leadership development and providing appropriate equipment.. 
  • The AWA has been working to get First Nations youth and leaders out on the water and will continue supporting these endeavors in Indigenous communities. 
• Diversity
  • It is important to us that we embrace diversity within the paddling community by being inclusive of all ages, genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences.
  • Diversity in paddlesports enriches our community and brings together different experiences and perspectives. We strive to celebrate and learn from the varied backgrounds of our members and participants.
• Equity
  • Our efforts to address and reduce barriers to participation, such as providing adaptive equipment for Adaptive Programs, are happening now  and into the future. This work has only inspired us to do more to even the playing field for everyone to paddle. 
  • The AWA continues to increase the participation of women and paddlers who identify as female as well as guide female leadership endeavors. This has been a great privilege and continues to be a key area of support for us.
  • Equity in paddlesports means recognizing and addressing the unique challenges and barriers faced by different individuals. We commit to providing resources and support opportunities, ensuring everyone has a fair chance to participate and excel.
• Accessibility
  • We are dedicated to ensuring that there are programs accessible to all, including those with physical, neurodiverse or other challenges. Our aim is to remove obstacles that prevent full participation in paddlesports.
  • The AWA’s commitment to making paddlesports and facilities accessible to all includes purchasing unique adaptive equipment which allows paddlers with physical challenges to access waterways which otherwise would not be accessible.
  • The current development of a Leadership Resource to support those who want to provide opportunities to participants who face physical and cognitive challenges is a priority.
• Safe Spaces
  • The AWA had taken measures to ensure physical and emotional safety in all paddlesports activities. This includes our Safe Sport Guidelines and adoption of CKC Safe Sport Policies. 
  • The AWA fully recognizes the UCCMS version 6.0 and commits to “advancing a respectful sport culture that delivers quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming and safe sport experiences” while we adhere to healthy sport policies and support systems for reporting and addressing concerns.
  • Creating safe spaces in paddlesports is about more than physical safety; it's about fostering an environment where everyone feels secure, respected, and valued. We uphold strict safety standards and promote a culture of mutual respect and support.

Join us in making paddlesports in Alberta Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, Accessible, and Safe. Share your ideas, get involved, or learn more about our initiatives by reaching out to us at admin@albertawhitewater.ca or coordinator@albertawhitewater.ca.