Seniors learning kayak skills through Nord-Bridge initiative

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on July 20, 2022.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Seniors from the Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre learned how to kayak from High Level Kayak instructors at Park Lake on Thursday.

Seniors from the Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre began their first of four kayaking lessons recently at Park Lake.

The lessons are being provided by High Level Canoes and Kayaks and it’s the first program of its kind being offered from both organizations.

“We had one of our co-workers suggest it because she loves to go kayaking and she said why don’t we try something fun and you know we might get a lot of people interested because they would supply everything, all the kayaks, you don’t have to bring anything,” said Ashley Kern, Nord-Bridge program co-ordinator.

“So that’s what got me thinking and then we reached out to High Level Canoes and Kayaks and they said that they can teach a group of us. They’ve never also done a senior group before either. So they were really eager to start something new.”

Kern said some of them are new to kayaking and others have been in a kayak before but they just want to know some more information.

“So there’s all different levels that come and, yeah, you only have to be 55 or older to come and be in the kayaking program,” said Kern.

The seniors are taught gear safety with instructors in terms of what they can wear, the types of kayaks, going in the water to do a water check and concluded with some who were comfortable to flip in the water.

“It’s basically just safety today and getting used to the kayak and then the next three weeks will be more so getting on the water and getting used to whatever kayak you like,” she said.

The social aspect is an integral part of the program.

“There’s a lot of people that have never really been to Nord-Bridge and they just decided to join this program because they just retired and they wanted to meet some new people,” said Kern.

“We really promote water safety,” said Abby Pohl, High Level Canoes and Kayaks instructor.

“We start with what we call a wet exit so that they can actually get used to the water (and) know how it feels when they do flip over.”

Pohl said if they’ve never had experience in sport like this before, then putting them in a controlled setting is very important because depending on abilities and limitations, it’s good to know what they can do and to what extent they can do it in this controlled environment.

“So absolutely by having supervision and having that knowledge, it helps prevent future injuries and or accidents from happening,” she said.

The class goes for four weeks on Thursdays from 1- 4 p.m.