Last year, Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 Kim Inglis dipped her paddle into the water with a deeply personal mission乌鸦传媒攖o honour her late cousin Tyler by raising awareness and support for autism through a solo paddle challenge. 

What started as one woman乌鸦传媒檚 tribute has grown into a national movement, one that乌鸦传媒檚 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. 

乌鸦传媒淓very time I open my email, it seems like there乌鸦传媒檚 a new donation,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 amazing. That乌鸦传媒檚 $78,000 in just over a year going directly to Autism Canada.乌鸦传媒�

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.

乌鸦传媒淚 thought to myself, if one person can have this kind of impact, imagine what a whole community could do,乌鸦传媒� 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 乌鸦传媒淐hoose Your Own Adventure乌鸦传媒� option, giving people the flexibility to get involved in a way that works for them. 

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 about accessibility and inclusion, which is at the heart of everything we乌鸦传媒檙e doing,乌鸦传媒� 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 乌鸦传媒� six-person outrigger canoes 乌鸦传媒� going out every hour throughout the day to collectively paddle 365 kilometres.

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

乌鸦传媒淎nyone can walk in off the street and contribute kilometres. It乌鸦传媒檚 going to be a fun, community-oriented day with music and prizes,乌鸦传媒� she said.

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

乌鸦传媒淭hey乌鸦传媒檝e been amazing in spreading the word,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淎nd many clubs involved already promote inclusivity, so this just fits perfectly.乌鸦传媒�

One of the more meaningful aspects of this year乌鸦传媒檚 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. 

乌鸦传媒淢aking paddling more inclusive for everyone is a big goal of mine this year,乌鸦传媒� she added.

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

乌鸦传媒淜atie has always championed inclusivity in sport,乌鸦传媒� Inglis noted. 乌鸦传媒淪he jumped at the chance to be involved.乌鸦传媒�

Personal stories have furthered the campaign乌鸦传媒檚 expansion. One that especially touched Inglis came from a young autistic paddler in Nova Scotia. 

乌鸦传媒淪he thought Making Waves was an amazing idea and would love to see it in Nova Scotia,乌鸦传媒� Inglis added. 乌鸦传媒淣ow, her club is participating in a team challenge.乌鸦传媒�

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乌鸦传媒攖he often years-long wait for diagnosis.

乌鸦传媒淚n Canada, it can take up to four years to get an autism diagnosis,乌鸦传媒� she pointed out. 乌鸦传媒淭hat乌鸦传媒檚 an eternity for a child. Private assessments are faster, but they can cost up to $4,000--money many families simply don乌鸦传媒檛 have. This program helps bridge that financial gap.乌鸦传媒�

The ability to make a difference has only deepened Inglis乌鸦传媒� commitment. 

乌鸦传媒淚t means the absolute world to me,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淚t blows my mind how successful this has already been. Tyler乌鸦传媒檚 legacy is living on in such a meaningful way, and I think that乌鸦传媒檚 why people are responding. Autism touches everyone in some way.乌鸦传媒�

With the campaign running all through May, there乌鸦传媒檚 still plenty of time for people to get involved. 

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 not too late to sign up,乌鸦传媒� Inglis added. 乌鸦传媒淭here are so many ways to participate, whether you乌鸦传媒檙e a seasoned paddler or someone who wants to help by jumping on a rowing machine. It乌鸦传媒檚 truly open to everyone.乌鸦传媒�

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