Whitewater Paddling Club – Riding the Digital Rapids
Volunteering for Calgary’s whitewater community, I led the design and management of their website, developing tools like an event calendar and booking system to enhance member engagement and simplify operations.
2 min read • 2025 - 2026 • WhitewaterPaddlingClub.com
About the club
The Whitewater Paddling Club is more than a sports organization, it’s a community. Located in Calgary, AB, the club brings together people passionate about whitewater kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Our focus is on fostering community connections, providing opportunities for skill development, and promoting safe and enjoyable paddle experiences.
My Role & Responsibilities
Volunteering with the club allowed me to take full ownership of our digital presence and user experience.
My responsibilities include:
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Website design and management: Creating an intuitive, visually engaging platform for members and visitors.
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Branding and design system: Developing a consistent visual language to unify the website, forms, and communications.
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Social media management: Crafting and posting content to engage and grow the club community.
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Digital product development: Designing tools like the booking system and event calendar to streamline operations.
By combining design, UX, and technical execution, I ensured the club’s online presence was professional, approachable, and easy for both members and administrators to use.
Website & CMS Strategy
The site was built using Wix, chosen for its accessibility and flexibility.
Since most of the team has limited technical experience, Wix allowed us to:
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Quickly implement a functional website without heavy development costs
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Enable team members to make updates and manage content independently
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Build a structured design system and master components for consistency across pages
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Minimize time spent training staff on site updates
This approach ensured the club’s digital presence could grow sustainably while remaining visually consistent and user-friendly.
Key Features & Innovations
The website was designed to serve both members and the club’s operational needs:
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Event calendar widget: Provides an at-a-glance view of upcoming trips and pool sessions
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Online booking system: Allows members to register for winter drop-in sessions directly on the website
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Custom registration forms: Collect vital information including emergency contacts, health considerations, and skill levels
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Responsive design: Ensures the website is accessible and easy to use on both desktop and mobile devices
These features significantly improved member engagement, streamlined administrative tasks, and helped the club communicate events and information efficiently to the community.
Impact
Through this project, I helped the Whitewater Paddling Club establish a strong and functional digital presence. The website solves real challenges, streamlining event management, simplifying member registration, and improving communication within the community.
By integrating custom tools like the booking system and event calendar, I made it easier for both members and volunteers to engage with the club. My work strengthened the club’s visibility, encouraged community participation, and created a scalable platform that can grow with the organization over time.
Visual Identity
To establish a strong brand identity, I created a comprehensive design system aligned with the club’s colors, dark blue and red. The design system includes:
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A clear typography hierarchy for readability and accessibility
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Color palette, icons, and UI elements for visual consistency
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Reusable components for pages, forms, and widgets
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Guidelines for layout, spacing, and interaction patterns to maintain a professional and cohesive experience
