[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”28px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” background_pattern_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.2)” background_mask_color=”#ffffff” text_shadow_horizontal_length=”text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_vertical_length=”text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_blur_strength=”text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” toggle_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”toggle_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ toggle_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” toggle_text_shadow_vertical_length=”toggle_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ toggle_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” toggle_text_shadow_blur_strength=”toggle_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ toggle_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” closed_toggle_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”closed_toggle_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ closed_toggle_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” closed_toggle_text_shadow_vertical_length=”closed_toggle_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ closed_toggle_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” closed_toggle_text_shadow_blur_strength=”closed_toggle_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ closed_toggle_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”body_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”body_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”body_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length=”body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength=”body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=”body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=”body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=”body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=”body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=”body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=”body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What does the term \u2018Paradragons\u2019 refer to?” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
Paradragons are dragon boat paddlers who are living with some form of physical, psychological, neurological, sensory, developmental, or intellectual impairment. <\/span>\u200b<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The term is also used more generally to refer to a race category where some or all paddlers have such impairments.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”\u2018Impairment\u2019 or \u2018disability\u2019?” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Although \u2018impairment\u2019 and \u2018disability\u2019 are often used interchangeably, IDBF sees a clear distinction between them and encourages everyone in the dragon boat community to treat the two words appropriately. For us:<\/span><\/p>\n an \u2018impairment\u2019 is the condition that a person is living with; while<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n a \u2018disability\u2019 is a restriction on that person\u2019s ability to carry out functions because of the impairment.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \u2018Disability\u2019 is therefore related to context. For example, a visually impaired person has a sensory impairment that may make it difficult or impossible for them to drive a car safely; they are considerably \u2018disabled\u2019 as far as driving is concerned, but the impairment may have little effect on their ability to paddle powerfully.<\/p>\n \u200b<\/span><\/span>IDBF has prepared a \u2018lexicon\u2019 to explain terms related to Paradragons and also to describe some of the more common impairments that some people live with. Download the Paradragon Lexicon<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How can a Paradragon participate?” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Paradragons can be part of a club that mainly has unimpaired paddlers or be part of a club specifically formed as a Paradragon club. Pretty much any club anywhere in the world will welcome a Paradragon paddler and although there are many fewer Paradragon clubs, their numbers are increasing. If you are interested in finding out more, one starting point could be the national federation of the country you are in. A list of points of contact<\/a> in national federations that actively support Paradragon involvement.<\/p>\n Or contact IDBF\u2019s Para Athletes Commission<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Are there special rules for Paradragon racing?” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off” title_tablet=”Are there special rules for Paradragon racing?” title_phone=”Are there special rules for Paradragon racing?” link_option_url_new_window=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_stops=”#2b87da 0%|#29c4a9 100%” background_color_gradient_stops_tablet=”#2b87da 0%|#29c4a9 100%” background_color_gradient_stops_phone=”#2b87da 0%|#29c4a9 100%” background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_tablet=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_phone=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” 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horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_phone=”0″ z_index=”1″ z_index_tablet=”1″ z_index_phone=”1″]<\/p>\n Yes, you can read the Rules for Paradragon racing<\/a>, which supplement the other IDBF rules for racing. [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What about \u2018adaptive\u2019 equipment?” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n To paddle safely and effectively some Paradragons need to use equipment that has been modified or adapted to suit their individual impairment(s). Coaches and athletes are reminded that, whilst adaptations are permitted under the race rules, they must conform to the race rules and be deemed safe by race officials.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What about coaching Paradragons?” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n IDBF has produced a handy guide for anyone involved in coaching who may have a Paradragons in their club or team. The guide is about how to work with individuals more than it is about how to coach a Paradragon team<\/a>, but the principles can be extended.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What is the IDBF Para Athletes Commission, and who does it comprise?” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\n
Developing these rules wasn\u2019t easy. Read more about the background to the rules for paradragon racing<\/a>.<\/p>\n