[Dan_H]

Hi

I was a patient in Oswestry between Oct 2002 and Feb 2003.

I'm a T4 complete para-plegic . In June this year I'm going to attempt to canoe The Mississippi in the USA with 2 able bodied friends to raise money for charity.

To follow the trip, support us or find out more about adaptive canoeing
(especially in The Midlands, UK) , check out our sites:

http://www.mississippipaddle.co.uk

Thanks

Dan

[brackman22]

Good luck to you Dan. What is the charity you are rowing for? If you hear Dueling Banjos or somebody tells you have purty lips, row your ass off!

Brett

[Deej]

Yeah, good luck Dan,
I think it will be awesome - I'll definitely follow your progress in June.

[bigsmiles]

Wishing you lots of luck Dan and as Brett said …ROW YOUR ASS OFF!!! (like that one)

( My friend was in Oswestry Aug 2002 )

[Chilepepper]

WOW what an adventure and experience to enroll in. Looks like you will be wearing a lot of gloves through that trip.

Oh yah when you get back, tell us about how that new canoe seat worked out for you.

This post has been edited by Chilepepper: 15 April 2007 - 04:16 PM

[Dan_H]

We're doing it for Spinal Research and a local Canoe club that I'm a member of. We're looking forward to it a lot and are training hard!

I'm a bit apprehensive about getting skin problems from that much paddling though! Need to be careful that my seat doesn't rub me!

Does anyone know what the best material is to prevent skin abrasion?

Thanks

Dan
http://www.mississippipaddle.co.uk

[Chilepepper]

Yes agree Dan_H, skin abrasion and also moisture will be your Achilles’ heel on this trip. You are going to have to somehow prevent your hips, butt and legs from moving while paddling. I'm not sure how this can be done. If you can figure that problem out then the abrasion will be set to a minimum. Start googling the internet, they has to be something out there can help you get through this trip. Plus I'm sure someone from here can help you out.

[gsp23]

Thats awsome! I was hoping to start canoing this year. I live in MN less than 10 miles from the Missisipi and grew up about 60 miles south of hear also about 10 miiles from the Mississipi.

One question I have is how will you be handling all the dams? In certain areas like Lake Peppin in MN for example you can lock down as needed to the other levels by holding onto another boat which I have seen being done. But in other areas such as the Coon Rapids dam or in Little Falls there are no locks. I assume you will be just getting out of the canoe, into your chair and then going down the river a ways and then load back in again? Always curious how swimmers and people in boats, etc always swim or boat the length of a river.

[Texaswheelz]

Sounds like a blast, have fun and hope all goes well.

[Dan_H]

Yes, all the dams on the upper river without locks we will portage around. I'll have my wheelchair on top of the canoe and my mates will have to do all the lifting. I've got two massive bags of catheters etc prepared (About 700!!).

As we get to Minneapolis there are locks that we can go through.

Thanks for the support.

Dan
http://www.mississippipaddle.co.uk

[russ1]

Hi Dan

Hats off to you and good luck from an ex kayak racer (pre injury). That Hawaiian canoeing looks a real blast.

The transatlantic rowers all seem to sit on sheepskin to look after their butts so that may be worth investigating although they usually seem to row nude and that may not be an option for you.

Have a great paddle

Russ

[bigsmiles]

Now that would be a pleasant site! Nude rowers sitting on sheepskin…sorry couldn’t resist that one.

Hope you have fun.

[edlee]

Dan, I wish you much luck and a lot of good weather. Try not to set any deadlines, they will only cause you problems down river. If it takes an extra week or two, who cares. It's not a race, it's an adventure. Enjoy every mile of it. Ed

[Dan_H]

If anyone reading this is near the Midlands, UK or can get there to train (Leek) we need some more paddlers in our Hawaiian Canoe Team ( www.trenthamoutrigger.org.uk ). We have some events coming up over the next year:
1. Great River Race (22miles on the thames (London)) - Sept 8th
2. Race in New York, USA in Sept
3. World Championships, USA - next year.

The sport is new and upcoming. The canoes can ride 40ft swells on the sea or paddle lakes and rivers etc.

We really need to boost numbers especially for a great team for the World Sprints next years. I can't promise anything, but if you're dedicated and work hard there's a good chance you could be going. See the website above if interested.

Regards

Dan
http://www.trenthamoutrigger.org.uk
http://www.mississippipaddle.co.uk

[Chilepepper]

WOW this looks so cool. I wish they had something in Canada. Looks like a great way to get in shape. Or should I say better shape than already am.

[Dan_H]

Chilepepper, on Apr 24 2007, 06:01 PM, said:

WOW this looks so cool. I wish they had something in Canada. Looks like a great way to get in shape. Or should I say better shape than already am.

I think there are a couple of disabled friendly Hawaiin Canoe paddle clubs in canada. Try these for more details. http://www.gibsonspaddleclub.ca/

If the locations not right they may have more contacts. I know there have been Canadian paddlers at the Worls Sprints.

Dan
http://www.mississippipaddle.co.uk
http://www.trenthamoutrigger.org.uk