Derrick Mertowski, Gold Medal Winner at 2011 USCA Paracanoe National V1 500m and K-1 500m Events
The International Canoe Federation explains that “Paracanoe gives opportunities for paddlers with physical disabilities to participate and compete at [the] club, national and international level.” 1 It is just within the last year that paracanoe was declared an Olympic sport and Paddlesport Training Systems has been happy to be included in the training for these inspirational athletes. Whether a paracanoe athlete is new to paddling or preparing for the Olympics, the Canoe Paddling Adapter can be a key component in
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Derrick Mertowski in his V1
his or her training. It is convenient for paddle-specific strength training and developing technique. The Rower monitor is very helpful in tracking strength development. Being on dry land makes it much easier for coaches to demonstrate and help with technique refinement. The Canoe Paddling Adapter also enables adaptive athletes to work on paddling–related balance during dry land sessions.
Augusto “Goose”Perez, gold medal winner in the V2 Mixed 200 meter race at the2009 ICF ParaCanoe World Sprint Championships in Nova Scotia, the gold medal winner in V1 (TA category) 500 meter race and silver medal winner in V6 (ECORA Team), both at the 2008 IVF ParaCanoe World Sprint Championships in Sacramento, California tells us:
Goose Perez in the ICF 2009 Paracanoe World Championships
“I consider my success at both the international and national levels a direct result of my training on the Paddling Adapter to the Concept2 Indoor Rower. The Canoe Adapter provided me the chance of doing canoe training during the winter months in East Syracuse, NY….where the outrigger canoe is in 3 feet of snow and below zero weather makes it impossible to paddle outside. This provided me the chance to have the closest and most similar training environment without being on the water…except for the chance of getting a tan….but I was told they are working on it.”
Jan Whitaker, instructor for Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana, Inc., a chapter of Disabled Sports USA, shares the following:
Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana, Inc. Instructor Jan Whitaker
The Concept II/ Vermont Waterways Paddling Adapter has been used in our winter fitness training program annually, since 2004. The ergometer provides excellent aerobic activity for paddlers with physical disabilities in all of the ParaCanoe classification categories (Legs-Trunk-Arms, Trunk-Arms, Arms) as well as those with visual impairment. The indoor set-up provides a perfect setting for a coach to closely observe and comment on a paddler’s stroke technique. It also provides opportunities for paddlers who need special seating systems, such as those with spinal cord injury, to try different seating and positioning set-ups in a safe and convenient environment prior to its use in the canoe.
