Last year, Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 Kim Inglis dipped her paddle into the water with a deeply personal mission香蕉视频直播攖o honour her late cousin Tyler by raising awareness and support for autism through a solo paddle challenge. 

What started as one woman香蕉视频直播檚 tribute has grown into a national movement, one that香蕉视频直播檚 already raised $78,000 in support of Autism Canada.

The initiative, Making Waves for Autism, launched its second year on May 1 and has already raised nearly $32,000. Inglis raised $46,000 in 2024. 

香蕉视频直播淓very time I open my email, it seems like there香蕉视频直播檚 a new donation,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 amazing. That香蕉视频直播檚 $78,000 in just over a year going directly to Autism Canada.香蕉视频直播�

Tyler, who passed away in August 2023, left behind a wife and a young son on the autism spectrum. Inspired by his memory, Inglis rowed and paddled 365 kilometres in the first year of Making Waves For Autism.

香蕉视频直播淚 thought to myself, if one person can have this kind of impact, imagine what a whole community could do,香蕉视频直播� she said.

This year, Inglis is not paddling alone. The Making Waves for Autism campaign has expanded nationwide, engaging individuals, teams, and clubs across Canada in customized challenges from stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking to rowing machines and dry-land events.

Participants can pick individual challenges, team challenges, or a 香蕉视频直播淐hoose Your Own Adventure香蕉视频直播� option, giving people the flexibility to get involved in a way that works for them. 

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 about accessibility and inclusion, which is at the heart of everything we香蕉视频直播檙e doing,香蕉视频直播� said Inglis.

Canoe and kayak clubs from coast to coast have signed on, including the Kelowna Paddle Centre, which will host a large team event on May 25, with OC6 team boats 香蕉视频直播� six-person outrigger canoes 香蕉视频直播� going out every hour throughout the day to collectively paddle 365 kilometres.

Dry-land events are also part of the movement. Inglis香蕉视频直播� employer, Raymond James, is hosting a community event at Red Bird Brewing on May 9, featuring five rowing machines running all day. 

香蕉视频直播淎nyone can walk in off the street and contribute kilometres. It香蕉视频直播檚 going to be a fun, community-oriented day with music and prizes,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Inglis has also partnered with Canoe Kayak Canada, the national governing body for the sport, to help promote the initiative. 

香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檝e been amazing in spreading the word,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淎nd many clubs involved already promote inclusivity, so this just fits perfectly.香蕉视频直播�

One of the more meaningful aspects of this year香蕉视频直播檚 campaign for Inglis is the education component. Clubs that raise more than $2,500 will receive specialized training from Autism Canada, allowing coaches to better support autistic children in their programs. 

香蕉视频直播淢aking paddling more inclusive for everyone is a big goal of mine this year,香蕉视频直播� she added.

The campaign has also drawn support from . A fellow paddler from Inglis香蕉视频直播� early days in sprint canoeing, Vincent is participating in an individual challenge and offering an exclusive webinar for participants who raise over $500. 

香蕉视频直播淜atie has always championed inclusivity in sport,香蕉视频直播� Inglis noted. 香蕉视频直播淪he jumped at the chance to be involved.香蕉视频直播�

Personal stories have furthered the campaign香蕉视频直播檚 expansion. One that especially touched Inglis came from a young autistic paddler in Nova Scotia. 

香蕉视频直播淪he thought Making Waves was an amazing idea and would love to see it in Nova Scotia,香蕉视频直播� Inglis added. 香蕉视频直播淣ow, her club is participating in a team challenge.香蕉视频直播�

The impact of Making Waves for Autism has extended beyond the water. Funds raised last year helped far sooner than expected. Inglis said the program addresses one of the most urgent gaps in autism care香蕉视频直播攖he often years-long wait for diagnosis.

香蕉视频直播淚n Canada, it can take up to four years to get an autism diagnosis,香蕉视频直播� she pointed out. 香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 an eternity for a child. Private assessments are faster, but they can cost up to $4,000--money many families simply don香蕉视频直播檛 have. This program helps bridge that financial gap.香蕉视频直播�

The ability to make a difference has only deepened Inglis香蕉视频直播� commitment. 

香蕉视频直播淚t means the absolute world to me,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淚t blows my mind how successful this has already been. Tyler香蕉视频直播檚 legacy is living on in such a meaningful way, and I think that香蕉视频直播檚 why people are responding. Autism touches everyone in some way.香蕉视频直播�

With the campaign running all through May, there香蕉视频直播檚 still plenty of time for people to get involved. 

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 not too late to sign up,香蕉视频直播� Inglis added. 香蕉视频直播淭here are so many ways to participate, whether you香蕉视频直播檙e a seasoned paddler or someone who wants to help by jumping on a rowing machine. It香蕉视频直播檚 truly open to everyone.香蕉视频直播�

For more information, to sign up, or to donate, visit the .