News

The European Para Youth Games (EPYG) is a biennial multi-sport event for young para-athletes aged between 13 and 23 from the member countries of the European Paralympic Committee (EPC). This year's seventh edition of the EPYG brought together 650 para-athletes, and in addition to them were paracanoeists showcasing their sport.

 

Although paracanoeing is not included in the official competition programme — which features Para Archery, Para Athletics, Boccia, Goalball, Para Judo, Para Table Tennis, Para Taekwondo, Para Swimming, and Wheelchair Basketball — it was part of the special Discovery Program, which allowed sports that may be added in the future to be presented.

 

The European Canoe Association (ECA) was represented at the event by three members of the German team: coach Arne Brendholz, and parakayak and paracanoe athletes Johanna Pflueergner and Moritz Berthold. With support from the Turkish Canoe Federation, they demonstrated kayaking and canoeing techniques on ergometers, and those interested had the chance to try paddling themselves. Paracanoeing was also presented on TV screens, featuring footage of paracanoe competitions, showing the types of boats used by para-athletes and how the competitions are organised. Coach Arne Brendholz also provided information about the paracanoe system and classification to interested attendees.

 

“We hope that many were inspired to try paracanoe and will apply through their national federations or clubs,” said Robert Weiss, Paracanoe Technical Committee Chair.