Mark Griffin has been making a huge splash in Canoe Marathon classes over the last year which is an astounding achievement when you read the personal challenges Mark has had to overcome to paddle his way to success.

“Kayaking was a sport in which I’d like to think I excelled”, says Mark. “In July 1999 I was training in preparation for the Devises to Westminster Marathon, I had no idea I wouldn’t step into a kayak again for many years to come.

I was involved in a car crash in which I fractured my skull leaving me in a coma with severe brain injuries. What followed was the most traumatic period of my life, months of rehabilitation having to relearn basic skills, from eating to standing and sitting, whilst dealing with huge memory problems. I was paralysed down my left side, had double vision and poor balance. I was forced to take early retirement. My career and active lifestyle snatched from me, I truly felt my life wasn’t worth living. I needed to rebuild the life I once had; or as much of it as possible.”

Splashing around

Mark expressed his frustration of watching kayak racing in the Olympics as he didn’t know whether he would ever have the chance to enjoy kayak racing again. This frustration turned into determination and so Mark bought two plastic kayaks and persuaded his support worker to go along with him to the river. Mark said “It was great fun having a splash around, but to me it just didn’t have the same thrill of serious racing”.

Mark added: “The experience spurred me on to go back to a racing boat and when I did, it felt unstable, sitting in it was similar to balancing on a knife-edge, not the best starting point considering my poor balance and limb weakness.  Even with the help of my support worker it was a few seconds before I capsized and was swimming to the riverbank, I was soon on my way home feeling totally deflated.  However, I wasn’t prepared to give up yet, so I strapped foam pipe insulation to the sides to make it more stable, allowing me to paddle the boat without assistance”.

After reflecting on that experience Mark decided to join Lincoln Canoe Club where he met Gary Quittenton. Gary gave Mark the expertise and support he needed to be able to develop and adapt to canoeing.

Mark explained the difference having the support from Gary and the club made, saying: “Gary watched me on the kayak ergo which allowed him to asses my balance and technique then putting me in a very stable racing/touring kayak, I asked ‘should I try to improve or just give up?’  Gary encouraged me to stick with it, which gave me the confidence I definitely needed”.

Hope

Mark’s hope was to compete in a kayak race again, he has participated in many races and this has allowed him to progress up to division seven in regional kayak racing. He competes at national sprint regattas and won bronze in the K1class at the 2013 National Marathon Championships.

Lincoln Canoe Club has appointed Mark as joint Paddle-Ability Committee Member so that he can give support to other disabled participants who want to participate in canoeing.  Mark said “I want to draw on my experiences and use them to give a people a positive canoe experience”.

Paddle-Ability is the British Canoeing programme that supports adaptations to all forms of paddle sport.  It is diverse with many different types of activity and craft available; there really is something for everyone. Paddle-Ability activities take place in different environments, for example, local clubs, centres, as well as regional and national competitions. It is a fun way to get active, make friends and learn new skills – it also an exciting and adventurous family day out.

For more information on Paddle Ability, how to get involved and finding your nearest club, visit: www.canoe-england.org.uk