Schools and Community Groups

The Paddle OZ program is designed to provide young people with an enjoyable introduction to paddling that encourages lifelong participation. Experiential learning through participation in games and activities is the focus of the programs. These games and activities allow the participants to develop the essential skills and safety knowledge that underpin all future paddling pathways. Gaining knowledge of the different forms of paddling, making links to local clubs and understanding further development pathways is an important feature of the program.

Aims:

• Enable more young people to try paddling and stay paddling
• Provide an enjoyable, sociable and safe introduction to paddling
• Use games and activities to support experiential learning
• Establish basic paddling skills and knowledge that support future paddling pathways
• Provide a progression through to specialised areas of paddling
• Develop an awareness of all aspects of paddling
• Provide links to clubs, Paddle Education and other paddling opportunities
• Assist clubs in developing young paddlers
• Allow flexibility in delivery according to venues and situations
• Increase the level of safe paddling practices in the community through educating young people

Sporting Schools is a $200 million Australian Government initiative designed to help schools to increase children's participation in sport, and to connect them with community sporting opportunities.

Sporting Schools programs are provided free to children and their families to help students build the confidence and capability to be active for life. To help achieve this, Sport Australia has partnered with more than 32 national sporting organisations. There is a program for primary schools, and a targeted program for Year 7 and 8 students in secondary schools.

Paddle OZ will introduce participants to the sport of paddling, providing education on basic water safety and paddling techniques, while also offering opportunities for participants to continue paddling at the conclusion of the program.