Three days of events planned for the French Para Canoe-Kayak Adapted Championship in Avignon

Kayakers from Bagnols train at the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse site before the start of the French Championship. – Canoë-Kayak Bagnols Marcoule

The events of the French Para Canoe-Kayak Adapted Championship begin in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse on September 27. To launch the festivities, an opening ceremony takes place on Thursday, September 26 in Avignon.

It's only a matter of hours. The first events of the French Adapted Para Canoe-Kayak Championship begin on Friday, September 27. The parakayakists begin the competition with slalom events on the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse site. The competition continues the following day in Avignon with the “Solo Sprint Race” rounds. Finally, the championship will end on Sunday 29 with the “Crew Sprint Race” on the site of the City of the Popes.

A team from Marcoule

The athletes registered for this championship mainly suffer from autistic disorders and Down syndrome. Among the competitors, the Canoe-Kayak Bagnols Marcoule club is represented by eight members aged between 28 and 45. The Bagnolais athletes have a recognized level and have been regularly congratulated by the municipality. “This type of competition is very important for kayakers, says Cédric Castel, one of the club's instructors. It brings them an evolution, allows them to structure themselves and encourages them to progress."

A first edition for Vaucluse

The competition is taking place for the first time in Vaucluse. Previous editions were mainly organized in the northwest and center of the country. "The department only has one site for speed events and even if it is a great place, access is difficult, explains Cédric Castel. But things have been put in place to facilitate the passage to the bankss and allow the organization of the championship in Vaucluse."

The festivities are launched on Thursday, September 26 with an opening ceremony to welcome the athletes. The educators are counting on the summer enthusiasm of the 2024 Paralympic Games to attract a fairly large audience.