Meet the Crew: The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Recreation, partner

We're excited to share that Adventure Crew is working with The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Recreation as our first-ever accessibility partner for Ohio River Paddlefest, our largest community event! Motz Moves, the purpose arm of The Motz Group, has come "on board" as our first-ever accessibility sponsor.

Founded in 2020 by a team of medical professionals, community advocates and adaptive athletes, The Bridge strives to eliminate the barriers for people with disabilities to participate in sport and recreation in our community.

The Motz Group is an athletic field construction company that designs and installs synthetic turf and high-performance natural grass systems all over the globe. The Motz Group team is driven by purpose, which is reflected in every aspect of their work. As they put it, "Motz Moves People to Better Lives."

In 2022, The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Recreation hosted an adaptive paddling workshop in collaboration with the American Canoe Association. Members of The Bridge and Great Parks' Adventure Outpost participated in a two-day training to learn how to modify boats to meet various paddlers' needs and to ensure safety on the water. They are also expanding their fleet of fully-outfitted adaptive kayaks, designed by Creating Abilities. Through a partnership with Adventure Crew, The Bridge will use these skills and equipment in a pilot program for four adaptive paddlers, preparing them for several paddling outings leading up to the 4.5-mile Paddlefest MINI.

During the second session on June 29, adaptive and support paddlers accompanied Joe Motz, founder of The Motz Group and philanthropist, as he launched Paddle For A Purpose, an initiative of The Motz Group and Motz Moves.

This 3,000+ mile journey (in a wood kayak that he made himself!) is also a fundraiser for The Bridge. The initiative aims to raise $300,000 to support the organization’s program quality, sustainability and infrastructure.

Adventure Crew looks forward to future collaborations with The Bridge. "An objective of the partnership leading up to Paddlefest is to learn how we can better support students in our 27 partner schools who have physical or cognitive disabilities, expanding access, inclusion and belonging throughout all Pathways programs," Adventure Crew Executive Director Libby Hunter said.