Capture the wave
Friday 10 June 2011
Southampton Solent University is sponsoring a free event on 17 June for children in the region aged 11-16 with physical, sensory or learning difficulties.
The event is open to year 7 to 11 pupils from schools in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Its aim is to raise children’s awareness of local opportunities for them to participate in watersports – such as sailing, swimming and rowing - and to encourage their future participation.
Aptly titled ‘Capture the Wave’, the event is part of the University’s Equality Programme for 2011 and is being held in collaboration with Sport Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council.
Organisations participating in the event will include RYA Sailability, the Jubilee Sailing Trust, Active Nation, the Southampton Water Sports Activities Centre and the UK Sailing Academy.
The event, inspired by the London 2012 Paralympic Games will be formally opened by Solent University alumnus Geoff Holt MBE, quadriplegic sailor, Yachtsman of the Year 2010 and member of the Paralympic Steering Committee.
The programme for the day will be a mixture of fun activities for the children, with short talks and interviews with Paralympic sportspeople, and video presentations from local organisations offering watersports to children with physical, sensory and learning difficulties.
Paralympic heroes, Peter Hull and Andy Cassell, as well as Paralympic hopefuls Ali Lalani, Gus McKechnie and Helena Lucas will be on hand to share their experiences from their respective sports. And an informal lunch and refreshments will be provided, giving the children the opportunity to meet and talk to the athletes and other speakers.
Peter Hull, Paralympic athlete and County Development Officer for Sport Hampshire and Isle of Wight say:
“‘Capture the Wave’ will be a fantastic opportunity for young people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to get a real feel for what the Paralympics is all about. As well as a chance to board an adapted sailing dinghy and an adapted rowing boat, the children can try out some Paralympic sports like Wheelchair Basketball, Boccia and Table Tennis. The highlight will be an opportunity to hear, and ask questions of, past and future paralympic athletes, allowing everyone to get inspired to get into sport and be more active.”
The event - held at the Active Nation Chamberlayne Leisure Centre, 150 Weston Lane, Southampton SO19 9SJ - will begin at 10.30am and close at 2pm.
For further information contact the Media Office on +44 (0)23 8031 9079
The ‘Capture the wave’ event has been awarded the Inspire mark by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
The Inspire mark is awarded to specific projects and events which are:
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Genuinely inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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Well planned and managed.
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Fully funded from non-commercial sources and with no commercial association.
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Innovative and inspiring.
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Likely to achieve at least one of our key outcomes. For example, increased participation in grass roots sports.