Hi

I know of one other paraplegic who does whitewater kayaking. Are there any others out there?

Anyone fancy trying this as an activity?

As with just about all other sports in this section I would love to do it if I had the money and time. I got a taste of rapids once on vacation by going down the Snake River in Wyoming in a raft and it was awesome. I'd love to be able to go out kayaking, but there aren't any places here around Texas with whitewater rivers.

I've rafted the upper and lower Kern river in central California numerous times and I love it. It is an adrenalin rush for us self proclaimed junkies. Just make sure you go with a reputable guide company as it can be VERY dangerous if you fall out of the raft. You need an extra AB in the boat that is willing and capable of jumping in after you before you get rally beat up on the rocks. Especially during a drought season, like now, as there are far more rocks showing to run into and bruise or brake bones that you might not even be able to feel.
Rafting is great fun and the food always seems to taste better while camping along side a roaring river...LOL... I love the feeling of the hot sun and cold water combination.

Darryl

Went rafting on the Upper Trewyrn (sp??) in Wales - a classic bit of river I'm not good enough to paddle in a kayak. I had a suicide strap to stop me falling out of the boat and an extra 'expert/coach' to make sure I got out of the boat in the event of a capsize.

Great fun!!!!!

I don't know how fun kayaking would be for a girl like me these days. I've been kayaking a few times in various places.. never have I been through real rapids though. Sounds fun and exciting but I personally would be way too terrified.

2 years ago I was in Baja with some friends, we decided to rent some kayaks and head out to explore the caves, blow holes, and all the great marine life swirming around. The ocean isnt easy to get around in, it takes some major arm strength but the experience alone was worth the aches n pain. Even post injury I could see myeslf going back to do something like that again, very rewarding.

hahaha you said blow holes




I tried the whole kayaking think in rehab in there swimming pool. I could not keep my balance long. By time i got my "sea legs" i would try an paddle but that would just toss me off balance.

Your moms a blow hole

Im rubber an your glue anything you say bounces off me an sticks to you.

try this one...I love you

Aww Kfed you shouldnt have.

AWWWWW I love you to ches

You pervert

you started it.

Am interested as to what level of whitewater you manage. I used to kayak to quite a high level and have raced down the Tryweryn a good few times in my youth. I've resisted the offer to kayak since my injury simply because I've always felt that at my level I'd never be able to do anything like I used to. Would love to get in a pool again and see if I could roll though.

I can paddle grade 2/3 stuff fine - I have only been doing this for about 3 years so I'm still paddling with the abled bodied people I started with - there is probably not much difference in skill so far, just a slight difference in attitude (I dont / wont throw myself down stuff I dont feel confident with and coaches are probably a little more cautious of taking me down harder rivers).

I regularly paddle the Dee (at the Mill near LLangollen) and Jackfield rapids - very grade 2/3 ish I know!

I can nearly roll (can roll pool type boats but not my boat). I find I use my stomach muscles a lot more than ABs but there are loads of people out there who it takes ages to learn to roll, so I'm frustrated rather than hopeless!! Hopefully this time next year I might have it cracked. I also know rolling is not impossible for a para, just hard (I know of 1 para who can roll and have been told by a coach that they know a different para who can roll). I think we are all pretty low level paras though, T10 and below.

If you cant kayak any more to the level you want to, what about rafting? The seat thing I used could easily be used by pretty much anyone, regardless of level, so long as you dont mind suicide straps!

Why not hook up with your local club and see what you can do again? (I did that with horse riding, as I was quite a good rider before my accident - hated it and havent sat on a horse since!). The summer is a great time to be on the river

Hi all!

I was really exited to find this topic; kayaking is one of my all-time favorite activities! I have a Dagger RPM boat, as it's small enough for me to handle on my own. I usually kayak tour (flatwater kayak), but also have done some of the whitewater here in AZ. I'm up for anything!

I usually do level II or maybe III rapids; like I said whitewater isn't my forte. I like to keep an open mind though. "Where ever there's water" as they say.

I had a head injury several years ago, so I'm not paraplegic, but do use a wheelchair on land due to balance issues. Personally, I think that kayaking is wonderful for those who use wheelchairs; it's an upper-body sport and it can be adapted to fit about a zillion different ways.

See you out on the water!!

I started kayakin a bit since my injury. The kayak i currently have is only rated to Class III but i haven't figured out how to roll or anything. Last year i did flip it but i just bailed when i did... to roll you would have to be strapped in yes/no? So far I've on yaked wimpy waters... if anyone wants to go i think i'll be kayaking/trout fishing the Lower Cumberland River this summer... probably early August. But I'd definitely be down to whitewater... but need some training first!

I dont strap myself in (suicide straps), just have a fairly tightly outfitted boat, so the hips and thigh braces are pretty snug. I bail when I capsize, which happens with regular monotony (at least for the poor sole who ends up emptying my boat!

For azx43 I have a Liquidlogic Jefe Chicco, with the surfer pattern on it (white boat with pretty flowers - very girly) and the 2007 outfitting so its like sitting in an armchair - the most comfy boat I have ever sat it.

One of my friends has been arrested for kayaking on the Dee in Llangollen (details on the link below). If you have any friends / colleagues wanting to go whitewater rafting or kayaking, I would ask them to steer clear of JJs in Llangollen (aka Whtiewater Active).

http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/v...p=298311#298311

Hey i was actaully just looking for other paraplegic that kayak!
i started end of last year

ive just come from a back up kayaking course in north wales (plas y brenin centre)

It was great and Im hoping to join a club or something to carry it on.

Im based in central London and heard there was one up in Islington so Im gona check it out.

I was wondering tho- u say you do rapids- if you're a para, can you train yourself to have sufficient balance?

Also, can you do rolling?

Yes you can definitely train yourself to be stable.
for the first year i paddled i was fairly stabble but could not do my roll i had to do a T-rescue......
which ment alot of trust in the people that i paddled with....
in the first year i had done up to class three rapids
in the last 3 months I've learned my roll and have paddled class 4 rapids.
(which i would like to add that is was one of the most awesome/scariest i have ever done totally worth it)
i find one of the biggest things for me is finding the right gear i have a wave sport fuse (play boat) and i like to use a 201 cm played and thing smaller than that makes it hard for me to roll!
i started out with a liquid logic space cadet and a 191 cm paddle..........that was one of the reason i could no roll!

i hope i was able to answer your question........i like to ramble....and get side tracked


P.s I'm also from a small town in northern British Columbia

Thanks for the info caleb- I suppose its just trial and error to get the kit that fits you best. What was the reason you couldn't roll in the liquid logic?

Have you ever fallen out of a boat in a rapid? I fell out in a level 2 rapid and got pretty battered..

I assume when you can roll you just do that if you come unstuck in a rapid..

Thanks for the info caleb- I suppose its just trial and error to get the kit that fits you best. What was the reason you couldn't roll in the liquid logic?

Have you ever fallen out of a boat in a rapid? I fell out in a level 2 rapid and got pretty battered..

I assume when you can roll you just do that if you come unstuck in a rapid..
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well it happens to be one of the harder boats to roll my reasoning for that is because of the wall heights on either side of it. it kinda looks like a box! haha but if you can't roll it's a pretty good boat very stable and it's surf it wonderful!
yes i have swam a couple times once when i lost my liquid an that was probably some class 3 stuff. I've also swam in some glass two but that was before i knew how to roll, but i tried my hardest to keep it in my boat if you have friends that no what there doing you should get them to work on a team rescue or T-rescue it's what has kept me from swimming more than 3 times the only problem with it is that you send alot of time under the water waiting around for people, thank fully i can hold my breath for a very long time, and have the ability to try a roll and get a breath of air helps alot to!
what kinda boat are you using? play river or creek?

I love kayaking and although I have not yet done anything more adventurous than a small creek or tributary.....I'm open to the idea of a little more active water. I am afraid though to roll. I have this fear of being caught in the water upside down and I would love to have a friend who is experienced on the more active waters to accompany me. I live North of Atlanta so if anyone's close and is game, I have extra kayaks and gear. I'm always looking for a kayaking buddy!
~Stella

hey Stella the one thing that got most of my friend past that fear is going with a Tab(temporarily Able bodied) to a pool or a lake (pool is better no sand) and get them to roll you over and you tear out of your boat and then get them to empty it and then do it again and the next time take alittle more time getting out slow everything down well your doing it! and after doing this 10+ times you will most likely be tired and very confident under the water

Hi Ruth,
Have you tried sea kayaking? Used to do a lot of WW paddling before accident, since then i've re-learned to role and get out on the local lake and do short sea trips with friends. Yo
cheers

I have just started kayaking again, couldnt quite roll yet ( i could before). I am trying to buy a sea kayak. I have really loved the few times i have been out. getting back on WW is next.

I used to rock climb a lot prior and figure i will take up kayaking to fill the void. I could kayak before but never had the time.

I've been trying to find a suitable boat for the past year or so. Tested quiet a few before I decided, lots of variables to consider i guess.

just bought a sea kayak called a Mission Eco-Bezhig. seems to look really good as it has a moulded foam seat that goes all the way to the coping. and a large cockpit opening. so it should be easy to get in and out of and also have fewer hard bits to catch and rub.

i will post some photos when i can.

Q

Cool! I was looking at Wilderness Systems Tsunami. Look forward to your feedback.

PS, also, this may be obvious but i went with a plastic kayak so that i can get dragged up and down the beach with me still in the kayak. they are a little heavier (27kg) but almost essential. I could even get dragged or lifted short distances to camp sites.

this cant be done easily with a fibre glass or carbon/kevlar sea kayak without damage.

I hope to be able to do overnight and multiday tours in it.

Not sure yet if i will take my Wheelchair for the camping or whether i just resign myself to siting next to the camp fire and dragging myself to the tent. my mates have also been able to piggy back me relatively easily to get over difficult terrain. (like sandy beaches)

hey guys started paddling about 8 weeks ago. Thing is im having MAJOR problems T rescueing i just cant do it! I have a weak left forearm and not a fantastic grip with my left hand (my ring and little fingers are curled up). Have any of you guys had similar problems im currently paddling a friends liquid logic lil joe which is flat bottomed. Any hints would be awesome as im more than a little frustrated (read chucking toys well and truely out of the pram)

Thanks in advance guys

Wriggley:)

hang in there

there are heaps of ABs that struggle with fundamentals in kayaking. I know ABs who have been competent kayakers (up to grade 4) for 20 years and cant eskimo roll.

The key i think is to practice rescues and rolls in a controlled environmental like a pool or warm lake with clear water and googles.
being comfortable when over turned in very important.

techique wise i think it is very indivual.

I had a bomber roll before my SCI and havent been able to do it since but hope to soon by modifying my technic.

I am just stoked to be on the water again.

The key to getting up is your body position - try to get your body either flat on the back deck or flat on the front deck rather than out at a right angle as you lift yourself out of the water and it should be a lot easier.



Sorry but the phrase "kayaker (up to grade 4) for 20 years and cant eskimo roll" doesn't belong in the same sentence as competent. I've taken people who can't roll on grade 4 and it's generally just an exercise in practicing rescue techniques :-) but they'd never have had the nerve to describe themselves as competent. Used to be able to roll without a paddle using only one hand (used to play a lot of canoe polo) but it's all in the hip movement which most para's just don't have.

As I understand it for most paras who can't hip flick (using your hips to flick the boat from upside down to right way up while your body is lying flat on the water) and use a seat with a supporting back then you need to adopt the same method used by canadian paddlers for rolling which involves a forward sweep of the paddle and ending up on the front of the boat rather than the more normal rearwards sweep used by kayakers - if you can find a C1 paddler (boat type not an SCI designation :-)) get them to show you how they roll, you may find that easier. Just an idea and not something I've done although if I could find a pool to use I'd give it a go.

Learning to roll has to be done in a pool IME.

Cheers russ

as always a fountain of knowledge

I'll have a chat with some of the guys down at the next pool session

As im sure you guys appreciate im getting left behind by the other club newbies and if i dont get my act together soon im going have to wait on the next intake in september as all the the trips coming up will just leave me as a liability infact the chance of swimming is to an extent that i probably wouldnt need a boat as id spend so much time in the water!

i got out on the river for the first time in flowing water. We were on a big wide high volume river that is mostly fast flowing and the occasional rapid (grade 1-2).

I was pleasantly supprised by my stablity although i was using a sea kayak.

but hope to try WW soon.

loving getting out there. and leaving the chair behind.

Just out of interest what do you folks paddle?

the first thing i trying in a swimming pools was a Qkayaks Cyclone canoe polo kayak, and it was ok,
i have paddled a Necky Narpa sea kayak a couple of times and have just bought a Mission (perception) eco-bezhig sea kayak.

I have discovered that sense of adventure again through sea kayaking and am looking forward to some serious trips.

i hope to try WW up to grade 2-3 soon and will probably try a creeker type kayak which should be less "endy" than modern playboats.

I found it pretty frustrating that most "adaptive paddling" is done in sit on tops. and mostly paddling around in cycles on flat water.
Kayaking in one thing that i feel 'fairly normal' doing and dont seem to be restricted from doing what the ABs are doing.

i am a little more unstable but not to bad and hope to improve that with fittout of the kayaks,

just updated my blog from a great weekend kayaking trip,

www.quentinsmith.co.nz

awesome

Hey wriggley, to start off i paddle a Wavesport fuse i used to paddle a liquid logic space cadet thanks to not been able to roll it i was trashed in a hole at flooding and lost it haha then bought my fuse i love the boat because of the flat bottom and the thin sidewalls make it stay up very well and easy to roll well nothing was easy to roll it took my 7months to learn my roll and not till my fuse! did i get it!
for T-rescues i you say use both hands and get a sea kayak paddle strap and attach your paddle to your boat i know it sounds sketching but if it get caught on on anything it's your boat stuck there not you! and it will allow you to uses both hands! as i did for 7months from flat water to grade 3 and then i started getting my roll.

any other questions i would enjoy helping you out as much as i can! always good seeing others learn to paddle!

oh and i also used a 203cm paddle to learn how to roll

Proly won't be hittin' much white water again. But I did get a flatwater boat adapted last summer. I'm lookin' forward to next summer as I've gained a bit of strength.

Hurb

the eco bezhig has proven to be very good.

it is stable yet fast, i have been fine without a rudder.

we created a nice foam bulkhead which helps a bit but it can be hard to get your feet to sit in a good position. i often wedge a peice of foam between my heels that helps.

there are some vid and photo on my blog at www.quentinsmith.co.nz

Just boat myself a boat, a wavesport Diesel 65 and padded out the inside. Its a bit longer and flatter than the liquid logic lil joe im usually in. It was fine but i know it sounds rediculous but it was almost too stable. i found it reallydifficult to work out where the edges were to catch eddies. it seemed as i leaned out to tun as soon as it started to go i was already upside down! One of the guys that doesnt hang around our club that much very "helpfully" said dont forgot to bring your knee up to help catch the eddy. My friends nearly wet themselves

I,ve been a regular kayaker for the last three years and am currently enjoying my second kayak (pyranha burn) finally found an activity that gives me total access and freedom, would recommend it to anyone looking for socialisation, solitude, adrenalin or personal nirvana. Would love to bump boats with other para,s.... Dave B.

I started out with a liquid logic trigger which is the smallest in the lil joe and hoss range and one of the sexiest boats available for WW but being flat bottomed proved to be more of an issue on flat water than rapids, then last year moved onto a pyranha burn much higher volume and so comfy, have taken it up to Scotland and done the Spey, Tay and river Ness enjoyed it so much am looking at relocating next year.

hey Pryanha Banana what class of river are you running? and are there any plans to flying to Canada anytime in your future?

Hi Caleb i will usually run up to a grade 3 any heavier than that i will steer away from, my roll isnt bomb proof and once you bail you,re putting your buddies at risk.
As for Canada no plans as yet but if you live on the banks of the Bonaventure and you have a spare room........

Haha i live alittle ways from there, it's around a 5'738 km Drive
Whats going on there?

So reading through this thread there's obviously other paras kayaking all over the place (Hi Q in NZ!) and loving it. How many of you have got your rol yet?

I'm having a hard time getting a roll in my boat (Pyranha H2 245) and wondered what type of rolls/techniques people are using. I've got a suicide strap fitted (an airplane seat belt for quick release) and am using a 200cm paddle.

I've been trying the "C to C" roll and can get the boat back up pretty easily but essentially just capsize again because I've run out of momentum and my body is still hanging over past my point of balance. Been playing with a back sweep too but not having much luck with that either. I hate having to do a wet exit and having to muck around getting sorted out again and really want to get my roll. Plus I really want to do a few solo expeditions but wont until I have a reliable roll.

Any tips or pointers from anyone would be great.