[AC83]

I am T10 and kayaked for a long time before my accident. Since then I have continued to paddle, I have adpated my boat with a socket for a padded fibreglass brace that I wear around my waist. The brace stays on me if I need to exit the boat so I do not have to mess arounf with any straps and I have more rigid support all around me whilst I am paddling than any strap system I have ever tried. I have paddled up to grade 3/4 rivers with this system but almost exclusively sea kayak now. This gets me to the remote places that I love and that a wheel chair would never get to. I can roll my kayak, it is nowhere near as reliable as when I was able-bodied as I rely on my buoyancy aid to bring me up against the deck so that I can reach the surface with my paddle when I am upside down and then roll with an extended paddle reverse screw roll; as I can't use my hips I roll the way that you are taught not to as an AB paddler, coming up with the boat rather than turning the boat upright with your hips and then sitting up. It gets me up and that is what counts. Surf kayaking is a friendlier environment to roll in than most river as there is calm to set up the roll between the waves and then the next wave helps you up, also if you miss the roll you wash on to the beach and so does your kit, on a fast moving river you just keep going downstream.

[mtnlife]

qman, on 10 November 2008 - 10:01 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.

Have you checked out this website? http://www.nolimitstahoe.com/

[qman]

Thanks for the link,

Am well aware of the guys who have climbed big walls, and i don't want to take away from what is a huge feat, but

It doesn't really appeal to me, hauling up ropes. It isn't really "rockclimbing" in the way that i loved. It was about the tactile nature of it, and the movement, the asthetics and freedom of it. Whereas hauling up ropes is the complete opposite of that to me, it isn't hands on rock, it isn't freeflowing, and isn't an attractive aesthetic.

There are some of my pre accident activities that i have found fulfilling alternatives for and others i haven't. I have had to cut rockclimbing away as one of the sports/activities that "for me" there isn't a fulfilling expression for in a wheelchair. Skiing, Kayaking, cycling (to an extent) all allow me to perform at a moderately high level. I just can see a way to get that in Rock Climbing.

[MTB John]

qman, on 26 June 2011 - 02:42 AM, said:

Thanks for the link,

Am well aware of the guys who have climbed big walls, and i don't want to take away from what is a huge feat, but

It doesn't really appeal to me, hauling up ropes. It isn't really "rockclimbing" in the way that i loved. It was about the tactile nature of it, and the movement, the asthetics and freedom of it. Whereas hauling up ropes is the complete opposite of that to me, it isn't hands on rock, it isn't freeflowing, and isn't an attractive aesthetic.

It pains me to say it but I agree with you on this one..

[ajl338]

I've not gone back to climbing for that reason. I can at a push haul myself up a wall but it isnt enjoyable, just hurts and I get no sence of enjoyment from it.

Paddling is something i never did pre injury as is skiing, both I do well and paddle as well as my mates and sister who learnt the same time as me.

Also climbing it is obvious that you are a cripple, paddling isnt really so until you get out, on the water you are equal. I have found that paddling has improved my balance hughly

ann

[qman]

yeah it is nice to not be obviously different sometimes. kayaking is really great like that.

I can ski as well as many of my AB friends but it is a bit harder to blend in.

[Usewhatchagot]

K, I have been reading all the info on here about kayKing and am looking for more advice. I am a T2 para - yes, 2 vertebrae from quad. However, I am determined to be as independent as possible while kayaking. I just started this yeR and have done about 8-10 pool sessions in a massive daytripper with a gigantic cockpit. I am anxious to get a smaller boat that is stable or that I can maybe mount some sort of pontoon system to. I can wet exit and wet entry (if someone stabilizes my boat from the opposing side).

I do sit-ski. Took me 3 years to get on a mono but I'm there now. So, I figure kayaking will be a similar growing process. Specific advice I am after: what sort of boat do U recommend that is super stable, and short enough to fit INSIDE a mini-van (I can't load on top by myself). Any ideas about pontoon systems that work? I saw a kayrak and wanted to get one, but the guy isn't building them anymore Any advice about how to stabilize my torso would also be helpful.

I am hoping to learn to roll, but have NO ab function. Do U think with a paddle float I could power over a roll? Any tjoughts on that would be great too looking forward to any thoughts or words of encouragement.

[dianna318]

Are you dead set on a hard shell? I got me a sea eagle inflatable this summer and while they are open like a canoe, the consider them a kayak too. They are rated up to class 4 rapids, I got the 385ft, only rated to class 3, but I am mostly on lakes and slower rivers right now anyway. For wet entry I have a cord attached so I can also pull from the opposite side I am climbing in from. Makes it easier for me.

Any way, it's pretty light and folds up. Will fit in the truck of a care and can even be taken on aircraft. I would recommend the elec pump.

Nice to meet you and keep us posted on what you find out and your progress, Dianna