Able2Adventure gives young people a chance to learn through inclusive paddlesports
AberdeenAble2Adventure, who provide adaptive paddlesports equipment in the Cairngorms National Park, has been awarded a £10,000 grant from Wooden Spoon Aberdeen. The funding has helped make adventurous water activities more accessible to children and young people living with a disability, giving them a chance to learn new skills, build confidence and experience the freedom of being out on the water.
Able2Adventure is a community interest company based in the Cairngorms National Park, dedicated to making outdoor adventures accessible to people of all abilities. Through inspiring and inclusive activities, workshops and partnerships, the organisation works to remove barriers to participation and create long-term pathways into disability adventure sports.
With the support of Wooden Spoon’s £10,000 grant, Able2Adventure has invested in a range of new adaptive paddlesports equipment, including specialist seats, packrafts, paddleboard outriggers, sails and canoe seats. The majority of the equipment arrived at the end of June, allowing the organisation to put it into action throughout the summer.
The new equipment has already made a significant difference to the experiences of the children and young people taking part. Through improved stability and additional support, individuals who may previously have struggled to participate can now enjoy paddlesports in a way that better suits their needs.
In particular, the new packrafts have had a transformative impact. Their inflatable design provides additional cushioning, stability and support, helping young people who previously needed to paddle in a tandem craft, or felt nervous about capsizing, to enjoy paddling independently.
The adaptive paddleboard outriggers have also provided greater stability, making it possible to support individuals standing on a paddleboard who may not previously have been able to do so. Meanwhile, the specialist canoe seats offer improved postural support, providing a more comfortable and secure experience for participants.
Creating opportunities for everyone
Throughout the summer, the new equipment has been used to support a range of inclusive paddlesports sessions, reaching young people and their families through Scottish Disability Sport’s Summer’s Out programme, families visiting the Cairngorms on holiday, young people attending respite with their carers and Able2Adventure’s own young people’s adventure group.
These sessions have welcomed individuals with a wide range of disabilities, including spina bifida, autism, Down syndrome, visual impairment, spinal injuries, Fragile X syndrome, epilepsy, dyspraxia and learning disabilities.
By investing in specialist equipment, Able2Adventure is helping to ensure that disability is not a barrier to experiencing the outdoors. More than simply providing access to water sports, the project gives young people opportunities to develop practical skills, discover new interests, grow in confidence and enjoy memorable experiences alongside others.
Wooden Spoon is proud to support projects like this, which create inclusive environments where children and young people can explore their potential, develop independence and enjoy opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
About Wooden Spoon
Wooden Spoon is a charitable organisation dedicated to transforming lives through the power of the rugby community. The charity supports children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland, funding projects that create opportunities to play, learn, thrive and be safe.
Through physical, educational and social projects, Wooden Spoon works with local communities and organisations to create positive, lasting change and give children and young people the opportunities they deserve.
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Help Wooden Spoon support more projects like Able2Adventure across the UK and Ireland. Donate today to help give children a chance to learn, play and thrive.
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