Debbie & Paul’s Dedication to Paddling Education
When Paddle Antrim began, a key foundation was to promote paddling with safety always in mind. One of the voids that was quickly apparent, was there were no paddling classes offered locally to provide paddlers with the skills needed. To fill this gap Paddle Antrim began offering paddling classes to adults and youth in 2017. Since these classes began, hundreds of paddlers have participated in a class and the classes have helped to create a community of paddlers who are embracing and advocating safety on our waterways.
Debbie and Paul, a dynamic duo, volunteered to help with paddling classes when they kicked-off in 2017 and have been steadfast in their commitment to leading the instruction of these classes ever since.
“When Paddle Antrim started we were just getting into paddling ourselves. We got involved with Paddle Antrim and started our path to becoming instructors, so we could have more people to paddle with,” reflects Debbie, thinking back on their journey into the sport of paddling. Their journey led them to become American Canoe Association certified instructors and begin to teach classes for Paddle Antrim.
Paddle Antrim paddling classes offer adults and youth the opportunity to get out on the water in a controlled environment and learn more about the sport of paddling. For some, this is their first ever experience in a paddle craft. Others may have been in a paddle craft before but have never had formal instruction or an introduction to basic skills and safety measures.
“Introducing kids to the water opens up a whole new world for them,” Paul reflects, recalling the “aha” moments that light up their faces as they learn a new skill.
But it’s not just beginners benefiting; even experienced paddlers uncover new insights when they take a paddling class.
“A willingness and openness to learn is what makes a good student,” remarks Debbie. “For the adults, we are trying to help them see that if they play like kids play, they learn an awful lot.”
“When they play, they pick things up that we don’t even have to teach, these classes promote learning how to manage incidents and provide a means of solutions,” notes Paul, highlighting the richness of the journey into the sport of kayaking. The skills learned during classes make it more fun and comfortable to be out on the water.
“It has been fun the last couple of years to work with adults who are interested in learning more. A fair number of the adults that took a beginning class have come back for more and started doing a lot more paddling and getting involved in other areas of Paddle Antrim – creating a community of paddlers in the area,” remarks Paul emphasizing the impact of Paddle Antrim’s paddling classes that extends beyond lessons; creating a community of mindful paddlers and stewards.