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Paddle All (Special Olympics)

Inclusive, adaptive paddling for everyone. We offer a safe, supportive, and fun environment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to discover the joy of water sports.

Ages

Ages 12 and older

Program Type

Recreational / Adaptive Learning

Cost

$200 (Includes Club Basic Membership Fee)

Duration

 8-Week Summer Program

Capacity

Highly limited – Maximum 5 participants per session!

Support Ratio

1:2 (Dedicated paddling partner/coach for every 2 participants)

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Inclusive Paddling on the South Georgian Bay

Introduced nationally by Canoe Kayak Canada, the Paddle All program promotes the sport of paddling for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Hosted out of the historic Watts Boathouse, the Collingwood Paddling Club is incredibly proud to bring this inclusive program to our local waterfront.

Using stable, recreational canoes and kayaks, our qualified coaching staff introduces athletes to basic water sport skills in a fun, enjoyable, and strictly non-competitive environment.

Unmatched Support & Instruction

We believe that everyone deserves a chance to get on the water safely. Every session includes a comprehensive safety orientation and technical instruction. Most importantly, each paddler is paired with an experienced paddling partner and coach, ensuring a highly supportive 1:2 coach-to-athlete ratio. This allows us to tailor the experience to each individual’s comfort level and learning pace.

Safety & Program Requirements

No prior paddling experience is necessary to join! However, to ensure a safe environment for all participants and coaches, all paddlers must:

  • Be generally comfortable being on and near the water.
  • Be able to follow simple instructions, especially those related to personal safety and the safety of others

Equipment Provided

Unlike some of our other programs, the club provides all equipment for Paddle All participants. This includes highly stable recreational boats, paddles, and Transport Canada-approved Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). (Note: Athletes are fully permitted and welcome to wear their own personal PFDs if they prefer the fit and comfort of their own gear).

Program Schedule & Registration

Because this program utilizes an intensive 1:2 coach-athlete ratio, registration is strictly limited to 5 participants. We encourage early registration to secure your spot!

Location: Collingwood Paddling Club (Watts Boat House – 25 Heritage Drive, Collingwood, ON)

ProgramDatesMeeting TimeCost
8-Week Recreational ProgramStarts the week of July 6Mondays, 5:45 PM - 7:00 PM$200.00
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Paddle All FAQs

Not at all! This is a beginner-friendly, recreational program. Our coaches will teach participants basic canoe and kayak skills from the ground up. Comfort with water and basic swim skills are helpful, feel free to contact us with any questions!
This means every two participants are paired with an experienced paddling partner and coach in a boat. This ensures direct, hands-on support, high safety standards, and individualized guidance on the water.
No. We provide all necessary boats, paddles, and PFDs for this program. However, if the participant has their own Transport Canada-approved PFD that they are more comfortable wearing, they are encouraged to bring it!
No. While Canoe Kayak Canada oversees the Paddle All initiative nationally, our specific 8-week program in Collingwood focuses entirely on recreational skills, confidence building, and having fun in a non-competitive environment.

Have Questions About Paddle All?

Want to discuss if this program is the right fit for your family member, or need more information about our accessibility? We are here to help.

Contact Our Team