ThePADDLER 124
THANKS Massive thanks to all of the Paddle Peak volunteers and coaches for working so hard over the weekend . Cromford Mills for hosting the event . Friends of Cromford Canal and Derbyshire County Council Countryside Services for their support .
Thanks also to Peak UK for supplying all the equipment , Pyranha Canoes for the kayaks , and Ainsworth for the paddles .
Paddle Peak is a community charity and British Canoeing club whose goals are to improve local youngsters ’ access to our outdoor spaces . Care for our local environment and protect its wildlife through river cleanups . They inspire and enable young people to take up paddlesports , improve their mental health , and promote a healthy lifestyle .
Viking Canoe Polo Club was invited down to the Paddle Peak Cromford Adventure Weekend to demonstrate and help showcase our unique sport . With six of our members , we showed onlookers a brief insight into what a Canoe Polo game looks like . Including drills , passing , scoring , teamwork and even a roll in the canal .
It was great to see spectators interested in Canoe Polo , and we hope we helped inspire the next generation of kayakers .
At Viking , we know the value of getting people into kayaking , specifically the younger generation , and we are always looking for our future A team and GB Canoe Polo players .
Viking Canoe Polo Club hope to be back next year for another demonstration . Aaron Pashley
THE FUTURE Paddle Peaks future plans include setting up a waterside club to enable local Derwent Valley Youngsters to take up paddlesports in our wonderful area with an ultimate dream of one day perhaps having our very own homegrown paddlesport Olympian . Anything is possible .