Adapted Water Sports
Zone Leaders
Maeve Johnston
Senior Physiotherapist
West Clare Children’s Disability Network Team
Katie O'Brien
Irish Paralympian and para-rower
Maeve Johnston is a Senior Physiotherapist based in West Clare Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT). Maeve has 11 years’ experience working with both children and adults with disabilities in Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. Maeve is passionate about enhancing community participation opportunities for all and volunteers with the West Coast Surf Club Inclusion Programme in Lahinch, Co. Clare, now in its fourth year.
Katie O’Brien is an Irish Paralympian and para-rower who represented Ireland at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Alongside her sporting career, she is a qualified veterinarian and animal nutritionist. Katie is actively involved in promoting inclusive sport and physical activity for children with disabilities. At the EACD+ Conference she will be delivering a “Try Rowing” experience, demonstrating how rowing can be adapted across the three international para-rowing classifications and helping families understand pathways into accessible community sport in Ireland.
Adapted Water Sports Information Hub
Thursday 4 June
09:00 - 13:00
Alumni Plaza
Outdoor Marquee
University of Galway
All welcome
No Registration Required
Information sharing, showcasing and discussing Inclusive Surfing and Rowing in Ireland.
Adapted Water Sports Talks, Showcasing and Discussions
Thursday 4 June
19:00 - 21:00
Bank of Ireland Theatre
O'Donoghue Centre
All welcome
No Registration Required
Hosted by: West Coast Surf Club, Clare, Liquid Therapy Donegal, Paralympics Ireland and physiotherapists/ occupational therapists from children's disability network teams
MC - Katie O’Brien, Paralympian Rower
Irish paralympic swim team observation session with Q&A
Friday 5 June
12:00 - 13:30
Swimming Pool, Kingfisher Club, University of Galway Sports Centre
All welcome
No Registration Required
An opportunity to meet Irish paralympic swimmers, see them in action and be part of a dynamic Q&A session.
NextGen Paralympics Ireland
Friday 5 June
13:00 - 15:00
Alumni Plaza
Outdoor Marquee
University of Galway
All welcome
No Registration Required
NextGen Events and picking your sport
Adapted Surfing Demos and Tryouts
Friday 5 June
13:45 - 15:00
Swimming Pool, Kingfisher Club, University of Galway Sports Centre
Cost: Free
(Registration required for participants / spectators welcome)
An exciting opportunity to explore the fundamentals of water-based skills including floating, balancing and paddling a surfboard. Experience surf equipment used in an Inclusive Surfing Session from a controlled pool environment.
Pool and Beach sessions are led by the West Coast Surf Club, Clare and Liquid Therapy, Donegal.
Attendees are required to attend both pool and beach sessions to get most benefit from the Inclusive Surfing opportunity.
Parents are required to accompany the young person (if under 18) in the water.
Para rowing
Saturday 6 June
11:00 - 13:00
University of Galway Sports Centre
(Registration required for participants / spectators welcome)
Experience para-rowing in a fun, safe and fully supported environment.
Delivered by Rowing Ireland coaches alongside the Get Going Get Rowing programme, the session introduces children with disabilities to the sport of rowing using adapted indoor rowing equipment (ergometers). Activities are designed to be inclusive and engaging regardless of ability level.
Participants will be guided through games and short activities that develop movement, coordination and confidence while learning basic rowing skills. The session also demonstrates how rowing can be adapted for different needs and abilities.
The programme will showcase the three international para-rowing classifications:
PR1 – rowers with limited trunk and leg function
PR2 – rowers with trunk use but limited leg function
PR3 – rowers with leg, trunk and arm function, including athletes with visual impairment
The aim is to allow children to try a new sport, build confidence in physical activity, and help families understand pathways into inclusive community sport across Ireland.
Lahinch Beach-Based Inclusive Surfing
Saturday 6 June
14:00 - 16:00
(children)
14:30 - 16:30
(congress delegates - registration opens 1 April)
Lahinch Beach
(Registration required for participants and congress delegates)
People with lived experience and their families will experience an Inclusive Surfing session at Lahinch Beach, Co. Clare led by experienced Surf Instructors from Liquid Therapy, West Coast Surf Club Lahinch, experienced Physiotherapist and trained local volunteers.
This is a high-demand event and places are limited. Registration will close once capacity is reached.
Attendance at the pool-based session on Thursday 5 June at 12.30pm is mandatory for children to participate in the beach session in Lahinch.
