Brad Ball and Ron Holland, right, seated at the bow of an outrigger canoe, smile while paddling in Upper Newport Bay Friday during an outing organized by Project Independence and Makapo Aquatics. (Eric Licas)
Ron Holland got into a mostly steady rhythm during his first time paddling on an outrigger canoe. But he couldn’t help himself from pausing every few strokes to take in the beauty of the algae-green waters, scenic bluffs and wildlife of Newport Beach’s Back Bay.
Adults with developmental disabilities as well as staff and volunteers with Project Independence and Makapo Aquatics paddle outrigger canoes in Upper Newport Bay on Friday. (Eric Licas)
“What a great workout,” said Holland, a 58-year-old Garden Grove resident who normally stays fit by running; his favorite events are the 1500-meter, 400-meter and 200-meter races.
Volunteers with Makapo Aquatics show adults with developmental disabilities served by Project Independence how to paddle outrigger canoes. (Eric Licas)
He was among about a dozen adults with developmental disabilities from Orange County who took part in Friday’s paddling session at the Newport Aquatic Center. The event was organized by Costa Mesa-based nonprofit Project Independence and Makapo Aquatics, an organization dedicated to broadening accessibility to water sports. The latter provided instruction to the group of mostly first-time paddlers and supplied the canoes and necessary gear for their outing.
A volunteer with Makopo Aquatics gives adults with developmental disabilities and staff with Project Independence a crash course in outrigger paddling at the Newport Aquatic Center in Upper Newport Bay on Friday. (Eric Licas)
