Paracanoe is a term adopted from the Paralympic games and literally refers to the sport of Canoe/Kayak for people with a disability. As a more general term it has come to be used for anyone with a disability jumping into a canoe, kayak or other paddling craft and enjoying themselves along with their friends for social, fitness, recreational and competition.
It is Queensland Canoeing’s desire to see an integration of people with a disability into all our disciplines. Many clubs are already involved with people with a disability and probably don’t even realise it and others have taken active steps to include all people into the activities of the club as much as possible.
Queensland Canoeing wants to aid clubs in developing pathways and inclusion of people with a disability into these disciplines whether at recreational level or representing at the elite end. If we can assist you, please don’t hesitate to call or email us.
As a Paralympic sport
The Paralympic Games in Rio 2016 included Paracanoe as a disipline. All races were 200m sprint events and were raced in two possible craft.
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A specifically built K1 which has an added dimension of 50cm width at some point 100 ml above the water line. | A standard V1 (Va’a) outrigger canoe |
Queensland is at the forefront of canoe/kayaking for athletes with a disability as the location of the Paracanoe head coach, Andrea King, and the National Paracanoe program located at Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast.
Australia is very competitive in Paracanoe and finished third on the medal count at the 2014 World Sprint Championships in Moscow, Russia. Queensland athletes finished with a Gold and Silver medal to Curtis McGrath and Kara Kennedy respectively, both V1 paddlers.
Paracanoe events are held at the Queensland State Sprint and Marathon Championships and more often than not included in most club events.
Other Elite opportunities
Because of the link between Va’a and the Paralympic games. Many of our athletes will compete in Va’a racing.
At the World Va’a Sprints in Rio de Janeiro three of our athletes from the Moscow World Canoe/Kayak Championships joined 4 other Va’a paddling athletes to compete. The team brought home 3 Gold medals, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze individual medals all to Queenlsnad athletes. Then the combined to compete in the V6 1000 m and 500 m events winning the Gold medal in both events in world record time!
International events include
National events include
State events include
Club events
Queensland Canoeing Supports Queensland Sporting Wheelies