67 replies to this topic

[ruth]

Hi

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

Anyone fancy trying this as an activity?

[Texaswheelz]

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.

[chefonwheels]

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

[ruth]

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!!!!!

[Ches]

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.

[Kev-O]

Ches, on May 22 2008, 09:01 PM, said:

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.

[Ches]

Your moms a blow hole

[Kev-O]

Ches, on May 22 2008, 09:15 PM, said:

Your moms a blow hole

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

[Ches]

try this one...I love you

Aww Kfed you shouldnt have.

[Kev-O]

Ches, on May 22 2008, 09:21 PM, said:

try this one...I love you

AWWWWW I love you to ches

[Ches]

You pervert

[Kev-O]

Ches, on May 22 2008, 09:24 PM, said:

You pervert

you started it.

[russ1]

ruth, on May 20 2008, 04:14 PM, said:

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!!!!!

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.

[ruth]

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

[azx43]

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!!

[LuckyinKentucky]

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!

[ruth]

LuckyinKentucky, on May 26 2008, 06:30 PM, said:

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.

[ruth]

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.ukriversg...p=298311#298311

[caleb]

ruth, on May 19 2008, 08:11 AM, said:

Hi

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

Anyone fancy trying this as an activity?

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

[sigmunt]

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?

[caleb]

sigmunt, on Aug 18 2008, 06:23 PM, said:

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

[sigmunt]

Quote

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!

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..

[caleb]

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..
[/quote]

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?

[StellaLAtella]

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

[caleb]

StellaLAtella, on Aug 30 2008, 02:26 AM, said:

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

[JohnG]

ruth, on May 19 2008, 02:11 PM, said:

Hi

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

Anyone fancy trying this as an activity?

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

[qman]

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.

[JohnG]

qman, on Nov 10 2008, 11:01 AM, said:

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.

[qman]

JohnG, on Nov 11 2008, 12:48 PM, said:

qman, on Nov 10 2008, 11:01 AM, said:

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

[JohnG]

qman, on Nov 13 2008, 11:45 PM, said:

JohnG, on Nov 11 2008, 12:48 PM, said:

qman, on Nov 10 2008, 11:01 AM, said:

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.