A special bond between father and daughter has been rapidly strengthened by volunteering at the ICF Slalom World Championships in Penrith. 

When tickets went on sale for the recent ICF Slalom World Championships, Ian Wallbridge, a paddle canoe and kayak instructor from Victoria, immediately tried to buy a week’s worth of tickets. 

That was before his daughter Beck, a school teacher, came up with an even better plan.

“I volunteer in my own sport, Ultimate Frisbee,” Beck said. “I know Dad is super keen on slalom and I am a school teacher, and it was school holidays and I’m a big advocate for alternate sports, so I thought we could volunteer together. 

“[I’m always] letting my kids know it is not just AFL, basketball, soccer, that there are all these other amazing sports out there. 

“To be involved in sport, you don’t have to be an athlete, you can be part of the community by volunteering and giving up your time. There's lots of different ways to give back to a sport and get involved in these sport communities without actually being an athlete competing and you still feel a part of what’s going on.”

With that, Ian and daughter Beck decided to make the trip from Victoria to Penrith to volunteer at the ICF Slalom World Championships. 

Ian helped out with the Olympics Unleashed schools program, delivered in partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee, and put his instructor skills to work at the ‘Come and Try’ paddling activation. Beck used her skill set to support the management of the volunteer workforce and helped in areas where they needed an extra hand. 

“The thing I’ve loved about being here is the amazing people you meet, people volunteering here are from all across Australia,” Beck said. 

“They are from across the country and there are international volunteers from Germany as well. Making those connections is amazing. 

“Chatting with people before your shift and finding out their stories, it might be their first time, being a part of it is awesome.”

For Ian, volunteering was a chance to rekindle his love of teaching and catch up with a lot of old friends from the sport. 

“I have been encouraging families and children to have a go at the sport. I love the sport, I love being on a river, where you can be on the water and you see a platypus or a fish and there is no noise and the bird life as well, and I want people to realise that we need to care for this and enjoy it while we can. 

“I love it. There were some guys here that I still paddle with and there are also people I used to compete against in the 1970s. It is fun renewing those acquaintances, and chatting to them, talking about the old times.”

The father-daughter duo got an incredible sense of pride and privilege to volunteer and share their love of sport with so many like-minded people. 

“Seeing dad so happy, it’s been like watching a kid in a candy store,” Beck said. 

“Seeing dad at 70 doing something he loves is pretty cool, to bond over that and have that moment together is really special. 

“I could see him watching the athletes and physically moving his body as they went through the course, mimicking their actions. It’s been awesome to watch.”

For Ian, having worked and competed in the sport, it has been a special week to cherish alongside his daughter. 

“It has been fantastic volunteering with my daughter and working together,” he said. 

“It's fabulous, we’ve had a great time together.”

Paddle Australia’s Sport Development Coordinator, Naazmi Johnston, said the Championships embodied the true spirit of participation through volunteering.

“The National Sports Participation Strategy, Play Well, reminds us that everyone has a place in sport, and volunteering is one of the most powerful ways to belong and contribute,” Johnston said. “The Wallbridge family’s story shows how volunteering connects people to the community and creates lifelong memories. Under our Volunteer & Event Admin Coordinator, Emily Scott’s leadership, the volunteer program at the World Championships set a new standard for inclusion and engagement, helping us build the skilled, passionate workforce that will carry Australian paddling proudly toward the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Volunteers are the heart of paddling, supporting everything from grassroots participation to international competitions. Whether you’re looking to give back to the sport, gain new skills, or be part of an amazing community, Paddle Australia has opportunities that cater to various interests, availability, and experience. There’s a place in our paddling community for everyone!

Find out more about volunteering with Paddle Australia here: https://paddle.org.au/participation/volunteering/

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