Kayaking program to make a splash again for summer seniors
By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on June 30, 2023.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com Nord-Bridge Senior Centre is gearing up for their summer programming, which begins as early as next week with the return of intro to kayaking for seniors over 55 years old.Program coordinator Ashley Kern said their intro to kayaking was so successful last year, that they decided to bring it back for all seniors in the community.
“It was super popular last year, even though a lot of people were really nervous about kayaking. For some just getting out onto the water had them nervous, while others were nervous about never been kayaking or even in a kayak before,” said Kern.
She said they had no idea what to expect but she saw the camaraderie and confidence increase as they continued.
Kern said some of the seniors who participated in the program last year enjoyed it so much that they continued to kayak after the program was completed.
“They were just so happy that there is something like this available, so that’s why we brought it back,” said Kern.
The intro to kayaking will be offered at Park Lake Provincial Park. This program is being offered in partnership with Highlevel canoes and kayaks, which is providing all equipment needed for the program.
Kern said during the program seniors will learn about safety, paddling techniques and about their equipment among other things.
She added that since their summer programs are so popular among seniors they have created two new programs for them to enjoy: The Golden Yogis and Nordic Pole Walking.
“We have a new instructor who’s taught yoga class for cancer patients, and she also has her certification in Nordic Pole Walking, and a lot of the walking programs outdoors in the summer are really popular for us, and last year we were filling up quite fast,” said Kern.
 She said that since they did not have other options for those who did not get a spot in their program last year, they created the new program this year.
The Golding Yogis program is an outdoor yoga class in the park and Kern said that was another type of program that filled up fast last year, prompting the creation of a new program with the option of doing yoga outdoors.
“We don’t usually have options for other yoga classes, so again we’re just giving more options for our members to choose from and also to choose between being inside or outside and enjoying the sun while we can,” said Kern.
She said it is important for Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre to offer a variety of programs to seniors in the community, not just to members, so they can feel a sense of purpose and create a routine after retirement.
“I know there’s a lot of people, from what I’ve heard, that have recently retired and they worked all their lives and then all of a sudden now they’re like ‘oh now I need to get into a new routine’ or  ‘I don’t have any hobbies, what am I supposed to do now?’ so, I think it’s really important to give people that sense of purpose and a new routine through the programs that we offer, all year round,” said Kern.
Summer programs will take place as follows:
Intro to Kayaking first session will take place Thursdays from July 6 to July 27 at Park Lake Provincial Park, Nordic Pole Walking will take place Mondays from July 10 to Aug. 21, and Golden Yogis will take place Tuesdays from July 11 to Aug. 22.
Another event seniors can look forward to do through Nord-Bridge is L-Skip Park Play at Chinook Lake Park, which will take place on July 18 in partnership with Family Centre and Building Brains Together.
For this event, Kern Said seniors partnered up with children for a variety of activities around the lake.
“We do activities together at different stations around the lake. It’s an intergenerational getting to know each other group, and at the end we have snacks and some prices,” said Kern. Follow @APulidoHerald on Twitter 4
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