{"id":2759,"date":"2023-04-10T13:37:06","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T13:37:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dragonboat.sport\/?page_id=2759"},"modified":"2023-12-14T13:14:55","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T13:14:55","slug":"integrating-paradragons-into-clubs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dragonboat.sport\/paradragons\/integrating-paradragons-into-clubs\/","title":{"rendered":"Integrating paradragons into clubs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;28px||3px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221; next_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; 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box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_phone=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;box_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_phone=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread=&#8221;box_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_phone=&#8221;0px&#8221; hover_transition_duration=&#8221;300ms&#8221; hover_transition_duration_tablet=&#8221;300ms&#8221; hover_transition_duration_phone=&#8221;300ms&#8221; hover_transition_delay=&#8221;0ms&#8221; hover_transition_delay_tablet=&#8221;0ms&#8221; hover_transition_delay_phone=&#8221;0ms&#8221; hover_transition_speed_curve=&#8221;ease&#8221; vertical_offset_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; vertical_offset_phone=&#8221;0&#8243; horizontal_offset_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; horizontal_offset_phone=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;1&#8243; z_index_tablet=&#8221;1&#8243; z_index_phone=&#8221;1&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>Many of you reading this will know what a Paradragon is, or what Paradragon racing is all about. Some of you may have seen someone with an obvious impairment paddling at a dragon boat event. A few of you may be aware of people living with \u2018invisible\u2019 impairments (like mental health issues) who paddle. Even fewer of you may already actually be a Paradragon in your own right. But most of you will probably paddle regularly without giving too much thought to those who live their lives while living with the challenges of impairments.<\/p>\n<p>First of all, some definitions. The term \u2018Paradragon\u2019 describes both the individual paddler and a class of racing. To be a Paradragon paddler, you must be living with a physical, psychological, neurological, sensory, developmental or intellectual impairment. The impairment can be mild or severe \u2013 there is no minimum threshold, and the sport tries to accommodate those with even the most challenging impairments.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Paradragon\u2019 also refers to a class of racing, where Paradragon paddlers can compete against other Paradragon paddlers. IDBF has a special set of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dragonboat.sport\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/IDBF-Rules-for-Paradragon-Racing-Edition-1.3-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">race rules that set out the criteria for Paradragon racing<\/a> and how individual impairments are addressed.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, there is the also the term \u2018para athletes\u2019 which you might have heard of. IDBF uses this interchangeably with \u2018Paradragons\u2019 but usually only when in dialogue with organisations external to IDBF. For example, when IDBF talks to other sports bodies, \u2018para athletes\u2019 is a common term that is readily understood. \u2018Paradragons\u2019, on the other hand, is mainly used within our sport.<\/p>\n<p>Around the world there are many dragon boat clubs who have teams that compete in local Paradragon racing. But IDBF runs international Paradragon racing too! In 2022, in Sarasota, USA, the first ever Paradragon races were run as part of IDBF\u2019s 13th Club Crew World Championships. In 2023, in Pattaya, Thailand, international Paradragon teams will compete against each other in IDBF\u2019s 16th World Dragon Boat Racing Championships.<\/p>\n<p>However, Paradragons aren\u2019t constrained to racing only in Paradragon events \u2013 there is nothing to stop them racing in any race.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=&#8221;What should I or my club be thinking about&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221; open=&#8221;on&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s start by offering a few general thoughts about Paradragons. They:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>may have special needs (but not always), and can be a real benefit to a crew largely comprising unimpaired paddlers ;<\/li>\n<li>are not \u2018disabled\u2019 people; they just happen to have an impairment that might affect how they paddle ; and<\/li>\n<li>are people with stories to share and with lifestyles that might be different to yours, but they are paddlers!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If your club is looking to recruit Paradragons, or a Paradragon has expressed interest in joining your club, there are a few things you need to think about. First and foremost, your club ethos must be supportive. If club members are willing to embrace Paradragons, there is virtually no obstacle that can\u2019t be overcome.<\/p>\n<p>\u200bBut, you will need to think about:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Accessibility \u2013 your facilities (clubhouse, boat loading areas etc) will need to be able to cater for the expected impairments. For example, would a visually impaired person be able to move safely around the club\u2019s facilities? Is the site suitable for those in wheelchairs or using crutches? Make sure a proper risk assessment is undertaken.<\/li>\n<li>How to create a welcoming and supportive environment \u2013 this is as much about how you and the other paddlers behave as it is about the physical features of your club\u2019s site.<\/li>\n<li>How to adjust coaching instructions and training sessions. Coaching Paradragons brings different challenges to coaching unimpaired paddlers, and this is made a little more difficult because each impairment will bring unique challenges. There is no simple solution and coaches will need to learn how to adapt so as to bring out the best in everyone \u2013 impaired and unimpaired. IDBF has produced some \u2018tips\u2019 about coaching Paradragons.<\/li>\n<li>Training members to be able to respond appropriately if a Paradragon experiences a problem. Knowing how to administer medication (if required and if it is permitted), who to call in an emergency, or how to deal with incidents will be specific to the individual; like coaching, every situation will be unique. Getting to know the individual Paradragon is the best thing you can do. In many cases, people feel uneasy about even asking a person about their impairment but actually that person is happy to share information. Don\u2019t be judgemental, or rely on stereotypes, talk to them! Find out what you and others can do in the event something goes a bit wrong. That said, some people living with impairments really don\u2019t need or want help \u2013 they know their own limits etc and are best placed to look after themselves. For example, don\u2019t assume that someone in a wheelchair needs help getting in and out of the boat \u2013 if they do, they will ask!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=&#8221;How to find out more&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221; open=&#8221;off&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"font_8\">If you\u2019ve not found the answers yet to your questions about Paradragons and how you or your club can help them participate,, then send an email to <span>the&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:chair-para@dragonboat.sport\">Para Athletes Commission<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;9px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221; prev_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243;][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many of you reading this will know what a Paradragon is, or what Paradragon racing is all about. 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