Paracanoe

Derrick Mertowski

Derrick Mertowski, Gold Medal Winner at 2011 USCA Paracanoe National V1 500m and K-1 500m Events

The International Canoe Federation explains that “Paracanoe gives opportunities for paddlers with physical disabilities to participate and compete at [the] club, national and international level.” 1   It is just within the last year that paracanoe was declared an Olympic sport and Paddlesport Training Systems has been happy to be included in the training for these inspirational athletes.  Whether a paracanoe athlete is new to paddling or preparing for the Olympics, the Canoe Paddling Adapter can be a key component in

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Derrick Mertowski in his OC1

his or her training.   It is convenient for paddle-specific strength training and developing technique.  The Rower monitor is very helpful in tracking strength development. Being on dry land makes it much easier for coaches to demonstrate and help with technique refinement.   The Canoe Paddling Adapter also enables adaptive athletes to work on paddling–related balance during dry land sessions.

 Augusto “Goose”Perez, gold medal winner in the V2 Mixed 200 meter race at the2009 ICF ParaCanoe World Sprint Championships in Nova Scotia, the gold medal winner  in V1 (TA category) 500 meter race and silver medal winner in V6 (ECORA Team), both at the 2008 IVF ParaCanoe World Sprint Championships in Sacramento, California tells us:

Goose Perez in ICF 2009 Paracanoe World Sprint Champioships

Goose Perez in the ICF 2009 Paracanoe World Championships

I consider my success at both the international and national levels a direct result of my training on the Paddling Adapter to the Concept2 Indoor Rower.  The Canoe Adapter provided me the chance of doing canoe training during the winter months in East Syracuse, NY….where the outrigger canoe is in 3 feet of snow and below zero weather makes it impossible to paddle outside. This provided me the chance to have the closest and most similar training environment without being on the water…except for the chance of getting a tan….but I was told they are working on it.

1 http://www.canoeicf.com/icf/Aboutoursport/Paracanoe.html