The Pitt Meadows Paddling Club is doing something that has never been done in Canada before - it is hosting a national training camp and holding trials for a chance to represent Canada at the 2012 World Championships in Poznan, Poland.

Usually this event takes place in Florida, but the accommodations there

have been booked solid for national and international team training for the Olympics in London 2012.

The local event takes place in less than two months and club commodore Rick Hammer said he has his work cut out for him in the coming weeks.

Hammer, volunteer Russ Clark, and para-athlete Teddy Dixon were on-site at the paddling club's site Saturday, discussing ways to prepare for the event.

Clark is a retired heavyduty mechanic who volunteers at the paddling club five days a week.

"I'm good with my hands. I can fix anything," he said.

However, a lot of work needs to be done with this recent announcement.

"The race on April 14 will be sanctioned by Canoe Kayak BC," said Hammer, who added that the national para-training camp will start two days later on April 16.

"Athletes will be coming from all over Canada, and a majority of the athletes have competed at the national or international level," said Hammer.

"Canoe Kayak Canada has been instrumental in promoting the sport," he added.

The association will be providing coaching, assessments, and are sponsoring the training camp and qualifying race.

This year Pitt Meadows Paddling Club is hoping Dixon, a newcomer, will represent the club.

And with top-notch coaching at the club, as well as Dixon's natural abilities around the water, chances are good he'll represent Canada in Poland.

"I just got into it last year, I love it. There is no sport like it," said Dixon, who thinks paddling is the best sport for shoulder sockets.

Dixon was 33 when he was a gun-shot victim in 1991 in Vancouver. After being shot, he was hit by a truck and doctors were never able to confirm which event caused his T3 damage.

Now 53, Dixon wants to encourage other wheelchair-bound people to give canoeing or kayaking a try.

"I meet a lot of people who are afraid to get into sports because they are not sure what they are capable of doing or what to do," said Dixon.

When he first started his rehabilitation 20 years ago the rehab centres pushed getting into basketball or sledge hockey.

"There really weren't a lot of opportunities," he recalled. "A lot of people in chairs fear being babied or hand held because we are robbed of our independence - but para-canoe doesn't do that," said Dixon, who believes if he had gotten into basketball 20 years ago he would have problems with his shoulders by now.

"I have a second wind to be good at something at age 53," he said.

Volunteers are welcomed year round, and are especially needed in the next two months. The club is at 14411 Harris Rd. and can be contacted at 7788998879.

smclaren@mrtimes.com