Baton Rougians drifted through Liberty Lagoon’s brand new “lazy river” Saturday at a much faster pace with the help of kayaks and canoes as a part of BREC’s summer initiative Paddle Up.
Around 20 participants attended the event, geared toward teaching adults with disabilities important water skills.
Saturday marked the second weekend in a row that the event has taken place. Sessions will continue throughout the summer and into the fall each Saturday morning from 8:30 to 10:30.
Paddle Up participant Shane Holm was enthusiastic about the event and what he learned.
“I loved the event. I learned to paddle and how to work kayaks. It was really fun,” he said. “This is my second time coming, and I will definitely come again.”
Instructor and Baton Rouge Community College student Megan Cook said the event’s lasting effects were evident.
“With any sport and any activity you do, you can bring that over to different parts of your life. I know it’s a good work out, and it’s really relaxing. If I can help them do that during the weekend, I think that’s a success,” Cook said. “You can definitely see it in their faces as they are going around the river that they really like it.”
The program is scheduled to progress in three steps through September.
Participants begin learning the basics in a pool, water park or pond. They will then progress to open water at the LSU Lakes and then to a river environment at the Comite River near Denham Springs.
BREC Recreation staff member Ben McGuire organized the event on what he calls the three E’s – education, experience and enjoyment. He said it was a part of his goal to increase the prominence of water sports in Baton Rouge.
“We wanted to introduce the citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish to the fun and enjoyment of participating in water activities particularly through the use of watercraft such as seas kayaks, canoes, YOLO boards and paddle boats,” McGuire said.
McGuire, who taught canoeing and kayaking at LSU for 10 years, thinks the initiative will impact LSU students.
“We feel we can bring more people out to enjoy the beauty of the University Lakes and the water areas,” he said. “It will appeal to students as they enjoy the historic tradition of fishing out of pirogues and boats. We will have the fishing out of sea kayaks as later part of the program.”
The Paddle Up initiative plans to spread to work in other areas of the parish. Groups are scheduled to paddle in ponds in Zachary, Baker and Central.
BREC in conjunction with the Department of Recreation and the Department of Engineering is also opening a new waterfront area in Baker called Greenwood Community Park at the end of September or early October, according to McGuire.
The park will have 11 sea kayaks, eight canoes and six paddle boats for citizens to use and will provide rentals, lessons, camps and trips.
The next Paddle Up session will be held at Liberty Lagoon, 111 Lobdell Ave from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. It costs $16.00 per session.
 
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Contact Laura Furr at [email protected]