Paddling tanks shared by the Quinte Rouge Paddling Club and the Quinte Rowing Club. (Photo: Quinte News)
The Quinte Rouge Paddling Club can expand their efforts to get more people of all ages out on the water due to the generosity of the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Saturday a local volunteer with the Foundation, Stuart Wright, told a crowd attending an open house at the club that the foundation was granting it $58,500 for new equipment and for the hiring of a summer student to promote paddling as a sport to the wider community.
“Paddling is a great way to get out for exercise, fun, and to meet people,” said Wright. “We are so lucky to have the Bay of Quinte here and
the club’s application for Trillium funding was so compelling, we at the Foundation, found it easy to select them for a grant and that’s remarkable
because there’s never been so much demand from community organizations for funding.”
Local volunteer with the Ontario Trillium Foundation Stuart Wright speaking at the club’s open house Saturday, April 01/23. (Photo: Quinte News)
Started 15 years ago as a competitive adult Dragon Boat racing club, the Quinte Paddling Club was born when the club’s owner moved away and
the members bought the club and its Keegan Parkway Belleville clubhouse. They then turned it into a non-profit organization.
(Photo: Quinte News)
Club President Jeff Durish said although the club’s adult Dragon Boat teams often won gold at world competitions the members want to grow
the sport and offer recreational programming for all ages while still competing.
They have succeeded and are now offering opportunities to train on dragon boats, standard and short, kayaks, outrigger canoes, and stand up paddle boards. Durish said the club now has 31 boats of various types in its inventory.
President of the Quinte Rouge Paddling Club Jeff Durish. (Photo: Quinte News)
Inside the clubhouse, shared with the Quinte Rowing Club, are paddling tanks and exercise equipment so members can train year-round.
More information on the Quinte Rouge Paddling Club can be seen here.
(Photo: Quinte News)
Quinte Rouge Paddling Club/Quinte Rowing Club clubhouse and training facility. (Photo: Quinte News)
