WATERSPORTS INCLUSION GAMES

The hugely popular Watersports Inclusion Games and its new Regional Events as planned for 2020 have been postponed to 2021 due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The main event will take place on 19th and 20th June 2021 at Lough Derg Yacht Club. Regional events will be re-scheduled in due course.

HOWEVER

we are very pleased to announce that the
Watersports Inclusion BLITZ
will be taking place this year in lieu.

Lough Derg Yacht Club - September 5th and 6th
WATERSPORTS INCLUSION BLITZ 2020

This is a free event celebrating watersports for all who may experience barriers accessing mainstream sport.
It is aimed at young people and their families and friends in particular, but all ages are welcome!

Yacht Sailing, Motor Boating and Kayaking/Canoeing are on offer!

Our downscaled event is formatted to consider the implications of facilitating accessible watersports in the context of Covid 19.
The event is split into four sessions (a morning and afternoon session over two days), with each session welcoming a separate group of 25 people for half a day only.

We will offer selected watersports experiences that will respect social distancing for participants and volunteers. Participant numbers are restricted compared to recent years to ensure as safe an environment as possible, a waiting list will be compiled for excess applicants.

All activities and equipment are provided and no experience is necessary.

Event Programme

Saturday 5th September

Morning Participants: Arrival 9.30, Departure 13.15-13.30

Session 1: 10.00 -11.15,
Session 2: 11.45 - 13.00

Afternoon Participants: Arrival 14.00, Departure 17.45-18.00

Session 1: 14.30 - 15.45
Session 2: 16.15 - 17.30

Sunday 6th September

Morning Participants: Arrival 9.30, Departure 13.15-13.30

Session 1: 10.00 -11.30,
Session 2: 12.00 - 13.00

Afternoon Participants: Arrival 14.00, Departure 17.45-18.00

Session 1: 14.30 - 15.45
Session 2: 16.15 - 17.30

Booking

Booking is via private Eventbrite link.

All inquiries including access to Johanne at wsinclusion@gmail.com

Thank you to all the 2020 supporters

The Watersports Inclusion Games is supported by the Sport Ireland Dormant Accounts Sports Inclusion Fund

Lough Derg Yacht Club

You can take the pledge and make a difference too ... go here

Testimonials

“An excellent event, we all enjoyed so much. Volunteers were so lovely and warm. My daughter progressed from paddle boarding in a wheelchair to on her own over the 2 days and that was down to volunteers, Lorna and Nico. Having her siblings and parents in activities with her made it so much easier and also allowed siblings to have a great time. A wonderful weekend for all the family”

“…..it was truly fantastic event. Probably the best organized, with the most helpful, kind and caring volunteers I have ever come across. I worked for a huge Corporate Company as Event Manager for years & I was blown away with how fantastically this was run. Well done & Thank you so much”

“Overall I thought it was such an amazing event. I volunteered to bring one young man with an ID on the Saturday. He loved the whole day as did I. I got to take part in some of the sports, chatted with family members, instructors and volunteers and had an amazing day. lunch was great, venue was perfect and the sun shone. I cannot commend the organisation, volunteers and staff enough. Well done to all. I just wish it was in Galway more often. Thank you to everyone involved”

“Thought it was very well organized and volunteers were excellent , really really enjoyed the day”

Accessability

Participants who may require assistance with accessing vessels or craft should attend with a carer or guardian who they live with or are comfortable being in close contact with, which individual(s) can also participate in activities, as our volunteers will require to maintain social distancing.

Lough Derg Yacht Club is fully accessible with a gender-neutral accessible toilet/shower/changing room in addition to ladies and gents changing facilities, and there is a lift accessing first floor level.

Amenities

The beautiful Shannon-side amenity that is Lough Derg Yacht Club boasts a spacious facility and several easy-access launch sites suiting the range of watersports that will be on offer. There will be a drop off area immediately outside the yacht club with signage directing you to parking adjacent. Although no lunch will be provided this year, participants can bring their own snacksa and indeed a picnic lunch if required which may be enjoyed at the grassed camping area adjacent to the club where space will be set-aside for participant use before or after your activities slot. Drinking water will be available on site. There are ambulant accessible toilets adjacent to the camping area. Participants will not be able to access the main activities area at the yacht club before or after their assigned activities segment apart from any necessary visit to the accessible shower-room/toilet at the premises, as areas will be sanitised after each group attends.

Event Documents

MAIN EVENT

What to Bring
Main Event Promotion Poster
Main Event Participation and Volunteer Declaration
Registration Form Template (to follow)
Volunteer <18 Parental Consent Form 2020
Private Owner Vessel Declaration
Participant Facilitator Agreement
Participant Centred Transfer Guidelines
Event Safety Plan (to follow)

REGIONAL EVENTS

What to Bring
Regional Event Participant and Volunteer Declaration (to follow)

Volunteer Booking

VOLUNTEER BOOKING

As always this event couldn’t happen without the amazing volunteers who annually feedback about the amazing fun they have had helping out. Volunteers receive free lunch on both days and a volunteer t-shirt (while stocks last!!), as well as Après Sail Barbecue dinner on Saturday night.