About 20 people with disabilities had fun experiencing a range of watersports in Raglan on Sunday.
The Flight Centre Halberg Foundation held the adaptive watersports day in collaboration with the Raglan waka ama club and local business Raglan Watersports at Te Kopua Domain.
Co-ordinator Ross Ormsby said close to 20 participants and 25 volunteers enjoyed the day.
“It’s so satisfying to see the enjoyment from people at experiencing a new, adventurous activity,” he said.
“For people with disabilities, the opportunity to be on water and engage in an environment that is not normally accessible can be life changing and challenging and enjoyable all in one.”
Raglan resident and amputee Wayne Trott, who is in the New Zealand para team competing at the IVF World Long Distance Championships in Tahiti in June, showed participants the ropes of waka ama.
“He provides that experience and link to a pathway of further possibilities of competition and New Zealand representation (in adaptive recreation),” said Ross.
Feedback from participants and volunteers on the day was “that was so much fun”.
Inger Vos
