By Sarah Burton
For the 2023 academic year, the Paddle Sports Club has returned to Houghton University. With many students enjoying the re-opening of the pool in the Nielsen Center, this club channels their enjoyment and provides students with another way they can utilize the pool.
One main event the club offers is a pool session, which is typically held every Tuesday night from 6:30-8 p.m. to practice kayaking skills.
Ryan Ballard, an instructor, describes the sessions by saying, “At these we will do a skill lesson right at the start and then we provide students with time to work on skills at their own pace either by themselves or with one on one help from an instructor.”
All of this is in preparation for several kayaking trips and a white-water rafting trip, which will take place later in the semester.
Ballard also explained the opportunities for learning and gaining experience from the club, stating, “It has been great refining my leadership and teaching skills through doing something that I am passionate about but not an expert in.”
For students unfamiliar with kayaking or paddle sports, instructors such as Ballard are there to offer their assistance and guidance.
Ballard expressed great passion for the club, providing personal accounts of how the club has allowed him to grow as a person.
For any students interested in the club or looking for something new and fun to do, he states, “I believe that students should join this club because oftentimes it pushes them outside of their comfort zones and it inspires confidence.”
With leaders and instructors such as Ballard, Paddle Sports Club is an opportunity for students to learn something new while building a greater community together. ★
