It was never Bev Paddock’s plan to turn a long-time personal passion for kayaking into a non-profit, but life’s journey has taken her in that direction. In October of 2024, Paddock and her husband Cliff applied for a 501(3)(c) non-profit status for a new program, PAIRnc, Paddling for Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation. “It will accommodate people with various disabilities — physical, intellectual, developmental and communication,” Paddock explained. “We want to give them the opportunity to paddle, to teach them how so they can do it in more places and not just in a paddle program.”
After retiring from a 40-year career in diabetic education, the Jamestown resident became a L2 kayak instructor with the American Canoe Association. Two years ago, she attended an Endorsement Workshop and began teaching adaptive kayaking.
“I realized that many of the same skills I used during my career could be used to assess people’s abilities and teach them how to kayak safely,” Paddock said.
Although she enjoys teaching all levels of kayaking, she was drawn to working with the adaptive classes. She serves as a coordinator of the GetOutdoors Pedal and Paddle program, which provides ACA certified instructors and trained safety boaters for two types of adaptive paddling opportunities. The Adaptive Paddling Experience provides people with all abilities the opportunity to enjoy kayaking, whether doing it for the first time or renewing the experience. Adaptive Paddling Skills Class is an instructive program for people with physical or communication disabilities who want to learn paddling strokes, techniques and safety that can lead to more inclusive paddling opportunities.
“GetOutdoors is known for wanting to teach people,” Paddock said. “Its goal is to move participants up.”
The classes have a one-on-one safety ratio with most of the instructors L2 certified. Other volunteers who serve as safety boaters have kayaking experience. “All volunteers are safety boaters, but not all are instructors,” Paddock explained.
During warmer weather, classes are conducted on various lakes in Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem. When colder temperatures take over, kayaking is done at the Ragsdale Family YMCA pool. Each one-time class lasts approximately one and a half hours, but participants may sign up for as many classes as desired.
Greensboro Parks and Recreation has supported the adaptive kayaking program including purchasing tandem boats and other adaptive equipment to use at Lake Higgins.
But Paddock envisioned the adaptive paddling program becoming larger. She wanted to establish a budget to buy specialized equipment that could be used on multiple lakes not just specified ones. She also wanted to provide scholarships for those who need one.
Her vision has resulted in PAIRnc, which is still in the early stages of development. Current board members include Paddock, her husband, Laura Phillips and Mark Springfield.
Springfield works with the Disability Advocacy Center in Greensboro. Although he uses a wheelchair, he has not let that keep him from enjoying the sport of kayaking. He participated in numerous adaptive classes offered through GetOutdoors Pedal and Paddle and became proficient enough to become a safety boater volunteer. His training not only serves as a role model to others, but gave him confidence to go kayaking on Lake Michigan during a work trip.
Phillips will be in charge of developing a safety boater program, which trains experienced paddlers to assist participants on the water.
Paddock is training to teach other instructors with American Canoe Association through its Adaptive Paddling Workshop.
“Three of my safety boater people have taken the workshop so there are now four in this area who have been trained,” Paddock said. “Part of the training includes proper etiquette when working with people with limitations — how to communicate with them.”
Paddock has begun consulting with municipalities that have lakes to help them get adaptive kayaking programs started in their area. She is purchasing additional equipment that will belong to the non-profit and can be used on any lake. PAIRnc’s website is expected to be completed by March and a newsletter will be forthcoming.
“I see my role as networking to let people know about the program and I have a lot of ideas for the future,” Paddock said. “I’m also interested in working with adaptive camping. When Cliff and I go camping I look around to see the setup — if the campground could be used to accommodate people with disabilities.
“Doing this brings me great joy.”
Volunteers interested in working with PAIRnc or anyone interested in donating to the non-profit may contact Paddock at 336-509-8710 or email PAIRnc24@gmail.com.
Want to go?
Spring adaptive pool session: GetOutdoors Pedal & Paddle will sponsor an adaptive kayak pool session March 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Ragsdale Family YMCA. Registration is required under the “Classes and Trips” tab at shopgetoutdoors.com.