Last summer, Jim Southwick, a long-time volunteer for the NAC, was facilitating a paddle sports program with a group of participants with visual impairments.
Using voice commands, he guided the participants “a little to the left, a little to the right.” Jim said that bystanders wouldn’t have known they were visually impaired and that was astounding to him.
“THESE PADDLE SPORTS PROGRAMS EXPOSE THE POSSIBLE FOR OUR PARTICIPANTS,” JIM SAYS. “THEY GAIN A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT FROM A DAY OUT ON THE WATER.”
In the summer months, you can also find Jim volunteering his time during sessions at the NAC Archery Field. Once the temperatures drop and snow hits the ground, he’s out on our our Nordic ski programs.
Jim says that guiding Nordic skiers and paddle boarders who are visually impaired is very similar, except in Nordic he has a headset to communicate, which can make things easier.
If you foster a good sense of teamwork and communication out on the water, participants, volunteers and instructors alike are guaranteed a good time.
KAYAK, CANOE OR PADDLEBOARD WITH THE NAC THIS SUMMER!
