Program brings paddling to community groups
The Selkirk Canoe and Kayak Centre is participating in a pretty cool program to bring paddling to local groups. The Centre was chosen as one of 27 clubs and provincial sport organizations in Canada to receive funding as part of Canoe Kayak Canada’s We Paddle program, which is supported by 2025-2026 funding from Sport Canada’s Community Sport for All Initiative (CSAI).
“We’re going to offer programs for Selkirk Mental Health Center. . . and we’ve been working with the Selkirk Friendship Center, Youth for Christ and Selkirk Huddle. We’re going to work with them, each, individually. Part of our goal is to meet them where they’re at,” said Bonny Wynnobel from the Selkirk Canoe and Kayak Centre.
The goal of the We Paddle program is to introduce new paddlers to the water, expand adaptive and inclusive programming, and create welcoming entry points into paddling for participants who may not have previously had access to the sport.
The Selkirk Canoe and Kayak Centre is a non-profit volunteer organization which creates space for people of all abilities to get paddling. Regardless of your experience level, they have options to get you on the water, and they also have accessible options.
The We Paddle program starts this week, with Head Start and Youth for Christ being the first organizations to head out on the river.
“We’re going to give them a series of opportunities, introducing them to different types of boats and different opportunities. For example, particularly for the youth, we’re going to be teaching them, ‘Okay, this is how you’re going to paddle a kayak.’ And, we’re going to start with the stable kayaks and the stable K2s, where you can have a lot of fun with somebody else in the boat with you. And then, we’re going to move towards, for those that want to, they can then try some of the more competitive type boats,” explained Wynnobel.
She said that it’s not just about learning how to paddle, as programs like this allow participants to benefit in many ways.
“The benefits for the mind can include things like lowering stress levels, lowering levels of depression and anxiety and building confidence. And that’s the thing about paddling, is you can start with no experience at all, and we have the type of boats that you go in and develop confidence quite quickly,” she said.
Additionally, Wynnobel mentioned that it’s a low impact sport and a full body workout, which can have the added benefits that being active can provide like protecting your cardiovascular health while being kinder than other sports to the body’s joints.
“The most important thing that we’re looking for in this (for participants) is they’re going to have fun,” said Wynnobel.
In addition to this We Paddle program, the Canoe and Kayak Centre will also be hosting their summer camps, and people can also pick up a membership which includes full access to all equipment (individual and family rates) and access to special events.
And, for those that want to participate or cheer on some competition, the Canoe and Kayak Centre is hosting the Manitoba Cup on June 20.
“We want these children that we’re introducing to these sports to actually then experience competitive paddling because it’s lots of fun,” said Wynnobel.
She encourages anyone who might be interested in learning more about the Canoe and Kayak Centre to connect with them.
“We are always wanting to create a space where people feel welcome. So, it’s all abilities. We want to see people feel welcome and have fun and do the thing that gives them joy,” said Wynnobel.
You can keep up with the Selkirk Canoe and Kayak Centre online at www.instagram.com/selkirkcanoeandkayakcenter. You can also learn more about their summer camps and sign up for a membership at paddleselkirk.ca.
Wynobel also wanted to thank Fort Distributors, Home Hardware, and the Selkirk and District Community Foundation for keeping them paddling.
