I was born profoundly deaf. After going to mainstream school until I was 11 when I went to Mary Hare School – a specialist oral school for the deaf based in Newbury as a boarder. It was here that I was able to join in canoeing for the first time and enjoyed it so much I slowly worked my way up paddling on the canal with the local club Adventure Dolphin during the summer term.
I was fortunate that towards the end of my time at Mary Hare some of the staff were keen paddlers and instructors so were able to help them out and get a taste of coaching. . After leaving Mary Hare I did some volunteer work at my local activity centre near home helping with teaching kayaking during the holidays with various groups. I was offered here to do my level 1 coaching course which was a great course.
My hearing loss meant I had to think of creative ways to communicate especially when doing some of the wetter games and activities. After becoming a level1 coach I did some various work for a charity helping with disabled teenagers summer activity programmes allowing them to take part in activities such as canoeing and kayaking which they would probably never get to do in normal circumstances.
After leaving university I embarked on my level 2 training and with some charity funding and great support from Mark and Rob at elements www.elements.eu.com I was able to get a sign language interpreter to come on the 4 day training course which helped a lot. After completing my portfolio I went for assessment and passed. I have also spent a season back at Adventure Dolphin working with children and adults alike during their summer holiday programmes which was extremely good fun although hard work but with an great team who were great at helping me where I needed it.
Coaching canoeing and kayaking with a hearing impairment does have its challenges especially when working with young people or demonstrating activities. I find there is a need to concentrate a lot more and make the most of observation skills in keeping groups safe while having as much fun as possible. As my hearing aids are not waterproof I have to have great control over how demonstrations of activities that could end up getting people wetter than usual are carried out/ In my own time while I am not coaching on the Thames or Exe I have been developing my own skills on moving water paddling up to grade 3 and 4.
The biggest challenges on moving water is being unable to wear my hearing aids on the water due to the dynamics however most people struggle to hear due to the noise of the water so this is one sport where hand signals come into play often. Some of the major challenges to missing some of the river banter. A challenge when you paddle with different groups of people regularly and is something I am still working on improving while on the rivers and will be embarking on this challenge while I am in Scotland with Reading University Knights Canoe Club in 2 weeks. No matter what your disability if you put your heart and mind into focus and know what you want to achieve, then go for it. Don’t let barriers or providers put you off, sometimes its just misconceptions or experience that changes people opinions. Let them know in advance then there is no excuse.
To find out more about Oliver's adventures, visit: www.oliverrichardson88.co.uk
Oliver is 24, was born profoundly deaf and is currently studying for a masters in Environmental Management at Reading University.
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