**Serenity on the Water: My Kayaking Adventure with Adaptive Paddling Solutions**

Mohadeseh is wearing a purple paddle jacket, a green PFD. She is paddling a blue and white delta 15s kayak. There are 2 fishing boats in the background in Terence Bay

Serenity—that’s what I felt for the hour and a half I spent kayaking. To my left, the coastline unfolded in a tranquil panorama, while to my right stretched an endless expanse of beautiful blue. Scattered across the water, several lobster boats added a picturesque touch as I glided past them.

Pauline and Karen, my guides, were incredibly welcoming and encouraging. They struck the perfect balance between offering support and allowing me to learn independently. I wasn’t babied, nor was I left to fend for myself; instead, I was taught how to move my body to propel the boat as swiftly as possible without tipping over.

The wind was quite severe that day, requiring extra effort to keep my boat on course. Yet, with Karen and Pauline’s encouraging words, I found the strength to push through and believe in my ability to steer and command the boat.

The joy of being on the water was enhanced by the camaraderie among the paddlers. As a visitor from Montreal exploring Halifax, I was warmly embraced by Karen, Pauline, and Paula. They were passionate about paddling and dedicated to making it accessible to everyone. I used Karen’s kayak, Paula’s boating gloves, and Pauline’s paddle. This spirit of sharing and support from such passionate individuals uplifted my spirits, even as I struggled with balance, endurance, and steering.

This experience deepened my passion for contributing to this wonderful cause. It reinforced the importance of breaking down barriers so that people of all abilities can experience not just the exhilaration of being on the water but also the friendships and camaraderie that come with it.

Mohadeseh