The Handi Cap’Access Centre will celebrate its 12th edition this year at the Grand Pavois La Rochelle. Remember that the aim of this centre, unique of its kind, is to inform visitors, and guide and assist people with disabilities who have come to try water sports thanks to first-time experiences and shared experiences. In partnership with the Charente-Maritime Departmental Council, the two Departmental Adapted Sport and Handisport Committees, La Mutuelle Intégrance and with the support of Grand Pavois Organisation, this year, the Handi Cap’Access Centre will again be offering maiden trips aboard sailboats present in the in-water space at the Grand Pavois La Rochelle and the chance to try water sport activities at the La Plage area (jet-skis, etc.).

A specific 100 sqm tent will be available at the entrance to the La Plage area with the presence of the Adapted Sport 17 and Handisport 17 Departmental Committees and  Charente-Maritime Departmental Council to inform, welcome and assist people with disabilities wishing to obtain information or discover and try out watersports activities.

Note that during the last edition of the Grand Pavois La Rochelle in 2021, 828 people benefited from a preferential rate on admissions, 535 watersports initiations were organised aboard live-aboard or other types of sailboats, two-seater monohulls and jet-skis provided free of charge by associations, private owners, and a company. This represented an increase in 2021 of 26% compared to 2019! (Editor’s note, the 2020 edition of the Grand Pavois La Rochelle was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic).

26 volunteers were on hand every day in-water and on-land to organise initiations and ensure the smooth running of the centre, the reception of participants, activities and to provide support for people with disabilities. 

Six associations and two private individuals provided the committees with their equipment free of charge, not to mention the help provided by the Municipality of La Rochelle itself which supplied Hippocampe and Tiralos type beach wheelchairs. Also, in 2019, 31 employees and/or volunteers were present at this space over the week. Since last year, with the two stands now available (one at La Plage and the other on the pontoon), there are now 28 people present each day.

Focus on the Handisport 17 and Sport Adapté 17 Departmental Committees

The Adapted Sport and Handisport Committees supported by La Mutuelle Intégrance and Charente-Maritime Departmental Council share one common goal, namely to integrate the values of social cohesion, include people with disabilities in sport, and develop sport among this population. A great ambition shared by the Grand Pavois La Rochelle for 12 years!!

See you in 2022 at the La Plage area and on the pontoons to live and share watersports for all.

Additional information:

–          Handisport 17 means 16 affiliated handisport clubs and sections. Further information: https://handisport17.org/

–          Sport Adapté 17 means 2,050 licence-holders for 2020/2021 and 10 clubs affiliated to the Adapted Sport Federation. Further information: https://sportadapte.fr/

–          The actions of the Charente-Maritime Departmental Council: https://la.charente-maritime.fr/personnes-handicapees/sport-et-handicap

Our thanks for the valuable help at the Grand Pavois La Rochelle 2021 Handi Cap’Access Centre provided by the partner associations and private individuals with Yakapartir, VAPR, the Régates de Royan, the Cercle Handi Rochelais, Jet sensation, Luc Perrineau, Jean-Claude Pourajaud, and all the volunteers.