Selkirk Trestle, walking & cycling bridge - spans from Banfield Park to Selkirk waterway paths on other side of waterway.
Views from the dragonboat. From today's practice. I'm with new #ParaDragonboating pilot program, run by #FairwayGorgePaddlingClub on Jutland. Our team name: Storm the Gorge.
One of my #ParaDragonboating teammates is a #BrainCancerSurvivor 💗 She is 12 yrs, #CancerFree this year. Every year she is cancer free, she adds a new flower tattoo to her body. This was the tattoo she got when first diagnosed, years ago.
I have a funny story to share about how I ended up with acompletely different group last weekend. No one knew I'd been ushered into wrong boat - til this morning😅 I paddled with an all non-disabled group last weekend because a coach misheard my question on arrival. I'd asked if this was the skeleton para-dragonboating group, on arrival last Sat. I was told yes so went with them. The session was more intense than I expected because it wasn't even my group! It was funny this morning..
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Today, I arrive at 10am - 15 minutes prior to when my team meets up. As I start walking to meet spot - coach from last week(from non-disabled group) runs up to me & tells me - You're late! Go grab a PFD & paddle & come join for stretches. I'm confused & tell him - my coach told me 10:15am is our meet time. I go grab PFD. when I get back, he's talking to my coach & he stops to tell me to go warm up. My coach - She's with my para pilot program! I'm like - I paddled with wrong group last weekend 🤣
40 minutes before our practice ended - big gust of wind blew my hat off my head & into the waters. We paddled backwards to rescue it. I tossed rescued, soaked hat on dock & we picked up another paddler, while docked.
My Mom is super supportive of all my parasports endeavors. She used to go to all my para-equestrian competitions. Mom couldn't go to my equestrian training sessions; her past work conflicted. She came to every sledge hockey practice.
Every single parasport I've tried out - has been supported by my parents. Dad would've loved seeing me getting into dragonboating. I tell him about it, every weekend & believe he hears me.
Part of our #ParaDragonboating - Storm the Gorge #team 🥰 We're all enjoying learning on the waters together. We have a very #diverse & #inclusive group of fine folks on our team. It's sure nice to be around fellow #disabled comrades. It's sure nice to feel fully included. It's great to be around people who understand me & vice versa.
This is Shirley-Ann. Part of our #ParaDragonboating team. She's a spritely senior lady, with amazing attitude & she's my paddling partner. We are usually in front or back of boat because we're 2 of the smallest sized paddlers on the team. Shirley has a few mobility issues & has had knee surgeries. She's become my biggest personal fan since we first met 3 weeks ago ❤️ Shirley is impressed with how well I adapt to move & paddle; despite my multiple illnesses & only one on team with mass paralysis.
We have 3 visually impaired folks on our team.
3 MS sufferers on our team too.
The only other mass paralyzed paddler has left program so I'm the only mass ambulatory paralyzed on the team now.
After individual coaching assessments today, I'll be placed on right side for races. Coach was happy with how I paddle & only gave one note on how I can work my left side paddling better. I'm limited on left due to severe paralysis from polio.
@slothrop I love island hopping, exploring remote areas & camping on extended sea kayaking trips. It has been awhile since I've done that though. I miss it. Need to find more new adventure buddies here.
@slothrop I'd never go sea kayaking alone & highly advise against it. Even the most longtime, experienced kayakers won't recommend solo long distance trips because the sea is very unpredictable & accidents can happen to anyone on open ocean - experienced or not. I always remind folks that playing it safe & going with at least one friend - is the safest & it keeps you alive - to enjoy more paddling days in future 😊
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