Displaying items by tag: Christophe Martin

23rd June 2012

Irish Wheelchair User Joins Kitesurfing Clinic in Athens

#KITESURFING - Northern Ireland's Jenny Ridley will be among those joining a kitesurfing clinic for people with disabilities in Athens, Greece from this weekend, as Surfer Today reports.

The five-day workshop at the Karavi Beach Club in Schinias will be hosted by Christophe Martin, developer of a special kiteboarding seat for paraplegic athletes.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Jenny Ridley has been learning to kite on land under the tutelage of friend Jason McGrugan who has worked with her to design a custom seat and board that will enable her to get on the water.

And she's promised to do just that in Greece this week, joining many other abled and disabled riders in the warm Aegean waters.

Martin will demonstrate the latest techniques developed to teach kitesurfing for people with disabilities. Those taking part will get a chance to go on the water using modified catamarans to show how accessible watersports can to be to everyone.

Surfer Today has more on the story HERE.

Published in Kitesurfing

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About the Watersports Inclusion Games

The Watersports Inclusion Games are an award-winning event organised by Irish Sailing with partners from across the watersports sector, that enable people of all abilities from the physical, sensory, intellectual and learning spectrums to take to the water to participate in a wide range of water activities.

More than 250 people with physical, sensory, intellectual and learning disabilities typically take part in the weekend's events.

Participants will have the opportunity to try more sports than ever before, with an expanded range including sailing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, rowing, surfing, water skiing and powerboating all on offer.

The Games typically take place each August.

The organisers of the Games want to let people of all abilities know that there are multiple watersports available to them, and to encourage more people from all backgrounds to get involved and out on the water regardless of ability. They aim to highlight that any barriers faced by people with disabilities can be eliminated.

There are social, health and wellness benefits associated with sailing and all watersports. These include improved muscle strength and endurance, improved cardiovascular fitness and increased agility, enhanced spatial awareness, greater mental wellness through the balancing of serotonin levels and the lowering of stress levels, improved concentration and the forging of positive relationships.