Kayaking
Spring/Summer (June through August)
Email Contact:
db5515585@msn.com
Overview:
Practices are held locally on Monday evenings between 5:00PM and 7:00PM at Greenwell State Park from June (right after Summer Games) through August. An athlete must be able to swim and be seizure-free to participate. State competition is held in Late August. Races vary from 100-meter, 200-meter, 500 meter, and 1000 meter. Requires some arm strength. A unified event also exists with an athlete and a partner in a boat.
Equipment:
SOMD-SMC supplies the kayaks and paddles along with the other necessary equipment needed to perform kayaking events. Athletes are required to wear some type of beach or sailing shoes but needs to check with the head coach prior to purchasing equipment.
Uniform Requirements:
SOMD-SMC will provide athletes with uniforms but they are only worn for qualifiers and state competition. Athletes should also be wearing athletic clothes (examples: swim trunks or shorts, uniform shirt and hat while playing in the sun. NO JEANS!
Practice Overview:
Practices are held locally on Monday evenings between 5:00PM and 7:00PM at Greenwell State Park from June (right after Summer Games) through August. An athlete must be able to swim and be seizure-free to participate. State competition is held in Late August. Races vary from 100-meter, 200-meter, 500 meter, and 1000 meter. Requires some arm strength. A unified event also exists with an athlete and a partner in a boat.
Training:
There are on water and off water.
Location:
Greenwell State Park past Francis Knott Lodge, 25420 Rosedale Manor Lane Hollywood, MD 20636
Timing:
Your coach will provide days and times.
Activities:
There are several coaches both on and off the water. The rest of this paragraph should describe what happens at each practice such as warm-ups, practice and then cool-downs.
Eligibility for State Competition:
There are a required number of qualifiers needed to attend the state competition. Some of those can be the required qualifiers announced throughout the season. Each athlete must also attend at least 8 practice sessions to be qualified to compete at the State competition. The athletes and families will receive notification of all qualifiers.
State Competition:
The state competition for the Kayaking Program is normally held at Washington College, 300 Washington Ave, Chestertown, MD 21620, USA the third Saturday of August.
Participation in Other SOMD-SMC Sports:
Kayaking athletes can participate in other SOMD-SMC sports as long as the athlete can maintain full practice participation in each participating sport.
Athlete Participation Contract:
Not Required.
Housing Requirements for State Competition:
Athletes participating in the Kayaking State Competition are allowed, but not required, to stay overnight at Washington College, but it will be at the athlete/families expense and all athletes must be accompanied by a family member.
Other Considerations:
None.
Volunteers:
We always need help for a successful season. We are a 100% volunteer coaching and management staff. Parents who wish to help, please register as volunteers. (See information at the bottom of this page).
Only registered SOMD-SMC athletes and registered volunteers are allowed in the training area. Parents and spectators who are not registered as volunteers MUST watch from outside the training area.
Anyone with an intellectual disability age 7 and older are invited to become a Special Olympics athlete. ATHETES MUST BE AGE 8 PRIOR TO BEING ALLOWED TO COMPLETE. Athletes age 7 are allowed to train with the other athletes but just cannot compete.
All athletes/volunteers must sign up for sport training prior to attending practice. Please sign up online as soon as possible so that we can make plans for coaching needs.