We help ensure people with disabilities have the opportunity to enjoy adaptive outdoor experiences.
Our paddling program uses specially adapted equipment – accessible kayaks and wheelchair paddleboards. We have a lift on the dock to handle transfers, or you can self-transfer via a board, after which you will be launched into the water.
Our centre of operations is at False Creek near Science World in Vancouver, a peaceful and sheltered stretch of water with views ranging from city condos to the North Shore Mountains. There are some great restaurants and pubs nearby, too.
Our program staff and volunteers have extensive paddling experience to ensure you get the most from your time on the water and will accompany you on the water for your safety and comfort.
SCHEDULE:
Our 2023 paddling/kayak program operates seven days a week May 22-August 31. The hours are from 10am to 6pm.
The Booking System opens May 15, 2023 at 10 AM
COST: $10 per 60-minute paddling session.
Paddling COVID-19 Safety Information
Administration
All staff members, clients and volunteers are not allowed to participate in our paddling program if they are feeling unwell, exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, or have been outside of Canada in the last 14 days. In these cases, please inform the BCMOS Paddling Coordinators. A pre-screening checklist will be sent to all clients and volunteers prior to the start of our paddling program.
Since most activities will require staff members or volunteers to be within six feet and have physical contact with clients, all participants and volunteers are required to wear a mask at all times in our paddling program. These PPE supplies and sanitization products, like hand sanitizers, wipes and rubbing alcohol will be available at our paddling location.
Paddling Location
The summer paddling program of 2022 will be held at Creekside Paddling Centre across from the Creekside Community Centre at False Creek. If you go down the ramp to the False Creek Ferry dock (The Village Dock) and make a right, you will find a set of doors where we will greet you. There are public, wheelchair-accessible washrooms available at Creekside Community Centre however if there is a closure of the centre, the nearest is located at Main and Terminal Street.
At the Dock, we will ensure that people will maintain the appropriate social distance measures with clearly marked pathways.
Map
It’s well placed for the Main Street/Science World and Olympic Village SkyTrain stations, and Main Street bus routes. We share the docks with the Vancouver dragon boat community (who are great neighbours).
Reservations
All paddling reservations and payments are preferred to be made online through our booking system on our BCMOS website prior to the paddling session. Reservation confirmations and waivers will be sent via email ahead of the paddle. The purpose of this is to limit transactions at check-in and to limit the number of touchpoints between our staff, participants and volunteers. However, we will also have a cashbox for contactless payment and a box for paper forms on site.
Safety Protocols Orientation
In order to allow our volunteers to get to know the entire crew while practicing social distancing, there will be a volunteer orientation at the Creekside Paddling Centre prior to the re-opening of the season. During this orientation, the paddling coordinators will go through the safety protocols, as well as to get to know one another better. Details about this orientation will be confirmed at a later date.
Equipment Safety Procedures
Due to safety reasons and to limit touchpoints, our paddling coordinators are responsible for setting up and handling the following equipment:
- Kayaks
- Paddleboards
- First aid kit
- Paddles
- Lifejackets
- Hoist
- Transfer board
A sanitization area will be set up at the paddling location. All equipment has to be sanitized with wipes and rubbing alcohol by our paddling coordinators before and after the paddling sessions.
Check-in Procedures
On the day of the paddling session, please arrange your own transportation and meet at the Creekside Paddling Centre at the designated time. Due to safety reasons and to limit touchpoints, our participants and volunteers do not have access to the paddling shed at the dock.
We will provide the participants with a mask if they choose to wear one during their paddling session. However, volunteers and staff will be required to wear a mask at all times when at Creekside Paddling Centre. A sanitization station (with hand sanitizers and wipes) will be set up at the paddling centre. There will also be posters and signage located at the dock, please refer to them and follow the rules.
Paddling Procedures
At the paddling centre, please try to keep at least 2 metres apart where possible. Eating and drinking (unless necessary like drinking water) are not encouraged during the paddling session in order to minimize the chances of touching other shared surfaces and to take off your masks. After the paddling session, please return the equipment to the designated cleaning area and the paddling coordinators will sanitize them.
Some possible scenarios that would happen during the paddling session and the suggested solutions are listed below.
Overcrowding
In the case of passing people on the dock, please stay on the right side and allow the other users to pass on the left. We will make sure that only people who have booked a paddling session at the given time will be allowed on the dock. Safety first.
Medical Emergency
In the case of a small injury, please wear gloves and perform first aid measures with tools in the first aid kit. Wipe down the equipment after use and clean your hands with hand sanitizers. In the case of an emergency, please call 911 and inform the paddling coordinators.
Communications
This safety protocol would be sent to all our clients and volunteers via email. Signage and posters at the paddling center will also display a simplified version of the rules and procedures. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our paddling coordinators at paddling@bcmos.org.
The Disability Foundation and its affiliated societies comply with COVID-19 protocols as determined by the provincial health authorities (e.g., BC: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/covid-19). Our workers and volunteers will follow such protocols and must be vaccinated to work with and within our organizations (offices, program locations, and home visits), unless a medical exemption is in place. To protect our workers and volunteers, we expect our clients and partners to comply with COVID-19 health and safety regulations which means fully vaccinated unless there is a medical exemption.
Thank you for making everyone’s health and safety the top priority.