Canoe Focus Autumn 2017 | Page 20

20 Midland Canoe Club present EZ Kayak Launch Facility 21 Midland Canoe Club presented the brand new EZ kayak launch facility, improving the club’s access and facilities along the River Derwent. John Chamberlin, President of Midland Canoe Club, said: The addition of the EZ Kayak Launch unit on to the extended pontoon means Midland Canoe Club is the first site in the UK to benefit from this new product. “The Midland Canoe Club’s new EZ kayak launch facility has improved even further the club’s ability to cater for paddlers/potential paddlers with disabilities or some other form of reduced mobility. Club members and friends flocked to the canoe club in Darley Abbey to witness the new installation in action for the first time, whilst partaking in some paddle sports themselves during the open day. Paralympic gold medallist Emma Wiggs, MBE and freestyler Maya-Ray Cross, were amongst those who attended, as they showed their support for the product. The EZ Kayak launch facility has been supplied by The Pontoon and Dock Company. The launcher is designed to enable easier access between the clubhouse and the water for disabled users and anyone with reduced mobility. “The overall facilities for wheelchair- bound paddlers received fulsome praise from Paralympian Gold Medallist Emma Wiggs, MBE. “The club is extremely grateful for the assistance received thus far from British Canoeing and Sport England regarding the funding, and we are grateful also to the Pontoon and Dock Company for their help with the project.”