Adaptive canoe initiative in Dudley inspires participants to try something new

“He was a bit scared of water before he got in the canoe, but by the end of the session he was so relaxed, he was singing sea-shanties, the transformation was amazing," C2C Outdoors on the benefits for one participant.

Participants involved in canoe taster sessions on the Dudley Canal that were adapted to cater for a range of physical disabilities, neurodiverse or mental health conditions have heaped praise on the project.

On their adventure paddling across the waterways, they reaped the benefits of being active and engaging with nature in a unique way.

Facilitated by Active Black Country and delivered by C2C Outdoors in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, the free sessions took place at Dudley Canal & Caverns, with adaptive equipment available to make the experience accessible for all participants.

The project proved hugely popular, with over 100 participants saying they are keen to take part again.

The initiative, funded by the Activity Alliance’s Get Out Get Active programme, was designed to encourage the Dudley community to be more active and engage in a new way with the local environment.

The sessions were targeted at those who would usually have difficulties in participating in such outdoor activities due to health, disability or economic reasons. Over three days, the sessions sought to test a range of adaptations, including adjustments to seating, different hand-grips for paddles, and also delivery methods that might prove more suitable for participants with neurodiverse conditions.

Key outcomes and impact

The project left a lasting positive impact on participants, including:

• Participants learned a new skill in canoeing, gained confidence, and had a fun, positive experience.
• They spent at least 90 minutes in nature and in a socially inclusive environment, including one hour of physical exercise.
• They learned about the canal network and the work carried out by the Canal & River Trust, increased their connection with the local area, and were encouraged to take up opportunities to participate in similar events.

Key learnings 

C2C Outdoors said learnings included: 

• There is a definite appetite for adaptable delivery. Across the three days, over 100 people took part in the canoe sessions. Some needed physical adaptations, and C2C Outdoors was able to provide suitable equipment or modifications to enable everyone to take part comfortably. Others benefited from the quieter, stress-free environment.
• An appropriate venue is essential. C2C Outdoors praised the Dudley Canal & Caverns venue, saying they have “great facilities and a proven commitment to being an accessible venue”.
• There is an unmet demand for enrichment activities. Several of the time-slots were booked by local organisations who work with people with additional needs, like Green Team Dudley or Gazebo Theatre in Education Company (based in Bilston). Many of the time-slots were booked by families who are home-educating children due to additional needs that can’t be met in school, and those families invariably mentioned how difficult it is to access activities like these, and how valuable sessions like these were due to the rounded experiences they provided.

Sharing insights

• The organisers used Eventbrite so that the booking process was simple but also allowed participants to highlight any conditions they had so that it was possible to plan some adaptations in advance or make sure suitable equipment was available.
  
• The launch site for the canoes, and the route for the sessions, was chosen because it was quiet and secure, free of the over-stimulation of a town centre location. The venue also offered accessible parking, step-free access to the launch site, accessible toilets, and a café where family members could wait if they weren’t taking part.
• These sessions were intended to be pilots, to test different approaches. They proved popular, though there were some pros and cons to the limited booking process. For a few families, circumstances can change at the last minute (particularly when caring for people with additional needs) which led to some spaces being empty, while at other times there were a couple of people who’d turned up hoping there’d be an extra space. Choices around booking systems apply for all kinds of activities, but organisers may wish to allow extra flexibility when offering free sessions like these.

Active Black Country is proud to have supported the C2C Outdoors canoe project, which aligns with our mission: To use the power of physical activity and sport to influence opportunities for everyone in the Black Country to lead an active, healthy lifestyle.