On August 24th, 2022, Special Olympics Bremen organized a Stan-up Paddling event which brought together a diverse group of individuals. For some, it marked their inaugural encounter with Stand up Paddling, while for others, it was a familiar endeavour in which they excelled. Despite the range of expertise, what united everyone was the enjoyment derived from the activity. This event, in particular, held a special significance as it provided an opportunity to engage with individuals who are taken care by the Special Olympics organization. These remarkable individuals with unique needs consistently demonstrated that even the smallest acts of assistance can propel them to overcome their perceived limitations and revel in life's fullest experiences.
"The SuP was a great event! Even as a beginner, you quickly learn to keep your balance and go. What made this event special for me is that many participants came from the Special Olympics and therefore had different forms of disabilities. It was great to see how much fun all participants had together and how everyone helped each other" - Julia Wrage, TMFF Implementation Lead
"It was a really enjoyable experience! At the beginning I was a little bit nervous to keep my balance but after a while it felt so relaxing. What I liked the most was to see that all the attendees were helping each other. Some people were a little bit afraid of what would happen but, in the end, they were proud to have tried it. You could see it in their smiling faces" - Verena Kreye, Freight Forwarding Specialist
"I also stood on the board for the first time. I was really looking forward to trying it out, but when I was in the water and I had to get on the board, I was a bit scared. Not because I might fall into the water, but because I didn't know how I would get back on the board ;) I was, until the last second, unsure on the board. But I still enjoyed it and will borrow one again soon and hope to be more confident then. Also, I often see that people with special needs are not so different from me. I like their humor and honesty. Thank you very much for this experience." Marc Oliver Veltwisch, Project Manager, Global Business Solutions
'It was super fun for me. Since I had already done stand up paddling a few times, I didn't have to learn it again but could focus more on others. It was great to encourage everyone, cheer them up, and praise them. The greatest thing about this event for me was the courage of the participants to try to stand on the board, the pride and the happy faces when they made it. I would love to be a supporter again for more CRS events with Special Olympics.'' Franzi Gresens, Project Management Officer, Global Business Solutions
