67 replies to this topic

[qman]

JohnG, on Nov 14 2008, 12:00 PM, said:

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.

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)

[wriggley]

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:)

[qman]

wriggley, on Nov 15 2008, 01:58 PM, said:

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.

[russ1]

wriggley, on Nov 15 2008, 01:58 PM, said:

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:)

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.

qman, on Nov 15 2008, 11:04 AM, said:

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.

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.

[wriggley]

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!

[qman]

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.

[wriggley]

Just out of interest what do you folks paddle?

[qman]

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,

[qman]

just updated my blog from a great weekend kayaking trip,

www.quentinsmith.co.nz

[wriggley]

awesome

[caleb]

wriggley, on Nov 25 2008, 08:46 PM, said:

Just out of interest what do you folks paddle?

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

Edited by caleb, 27 December 2008 - 10:37 AM.

[hurbshankin]

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

[qman]

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

[wriggley]

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

[pyranha banana]

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?

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.

[pyranha banana]

wriggley, on Nov 26 2008, 02:46 AM, said:

Just out of interest what do you folks paddle?

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.

[caleb]

pyranha banana, on May 20 2009, 09:27 AM, said:

wriggley, on Nov 26 2008, 02:46 AM, said:

Just out of interest what do you folks paddle?

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?

[pyranha banana]

caleb, on Jun 15 2009, 11:50 PM, said:

pyranha banana, on May 20 2009, 09:27 AM, said:

wriggley, on Nov 26 2008, 02:46 AM, said:

Just out of interest what do you folks paddle?

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........

[caleb]

pyranha banana, on Jun 29 2009, 05:08 AM, said:

caleb, on Jun 15 2009, 11:50 PM, said:

pyranha banana, on May 20 2009, 09:27 AM, said:

wriggley, on Nov 26 2008, 02:46 AM, said:

Just out of interest what do you folks paddle?

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?

[pawperso]

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.

[qman]

It is on the plans to get in the pool and work on my roll. I have been sea kayaking mostly but hope to get back on WW soon.

but i did stumble on a guy called Greg Mallory who seems to be paddling very serious water. there is a short video of him on Disaboom if you can navigate that terrible web site.

i figured a C to C would be the way to go also but maybe with a sweep forward once you are up. this would help finish you off and get your COG low. When you are mostly up sweep forward with the back of the paddle. Just and thought.

In my veiw sweeping to the back wouldnt be the most stable for me. and is always worse for your shoulders. and i seem to be stronger in the forward position.

[USMC_FMAgirl058]

Heya! I actually just got to start kayaking. We're taking it slow, though not so much because of me but more for my mom. >.> Anyway, we went on the James river, which technically doesn't classify above the 1st tier, but there were some hairy parts anyway. Hopefully this winter we can learn how to roll our kayaks so we can start stepping it up and getting into things that actually get the adrenaline going. I didn't get much the second time I went last weekend.

How does one roll themselves anyway? I don't exactly strap down into the kayak so I'm a tad worried I'd just slip out while the kayak is upside down. I've almost tipped once (though that was my own fault and got stuck sideways on top of a rock that dropped a bit on the other side).

-Hannah

[ajl338]

I'm guessing that you are the person i met in a white boat with a green helmet (i think) back at the beginning of this year at JJ's. I think i was doing a WWSR course or paddling my canoe.

I currently see kayaking as the dark side of paddle sport, i much prefer my spec WW canoe, with a single blade. I paddle G3 in that without a problem and apparently its harder to paddle a canoe than a kayak. I strap myself into my boat and despite hours and hours of trying still can not roll it yet.

but

I might be converted over to the dark side.....
Next weekend will be my first time on a WW river in a K***k, dont tell my friends.

I'll let you know what grade i can paddle, i suppect we will be at mile end mill playing and i might manage a grade 3/4 if i get it wrong and end up down town falls!

ann

[playboater J]

Hey I'm new to this forum. I'm a t12 para and I'm also a whitewater kayaker. I've been boating whitewater for almost 6 years, been a para for almost 13 years. I've also been an ACA certified kayak instructor. I have taught in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado. I would be willing to teach anyone here at no cost and help out in any way. I feel this is an awsome sport fo lower level paras and a great equalizer.
Our website www.kansaswhitewater.org
my email james@kansaswhitewater.org

Thanks
James Smith

[ajl338]

I now have my new boat, i have a bright pink pyrannah burn medium. Its a fab boat. It got delivered to my work pigeon hole on a thursday (some access issues here, big boat, little slot) and i put it on the car roof and onto a trailer and went to the Usk in South Wales, straight onto a large river after lots of rain. It was excellent, a good G3 lots of standing waves and wave chains and 3 large ledge drops.

Give it a weekend off and i got a suprise invitation to N/Wales to paddle with some people i met the week before and i went down the Lower Trwyelen. including a good G4 bala mill falls. I then went onto the upper into the graveyard (which says a lot)

I'm off to the alps next year for my first taste of Alpine paddling- cold water but sunshine.

ann

[qman]

hi guys,

finally got back in a WW boat

i had done a reasonable amount in a sea kayak on lakes and fast flowing rivers up to G 1-2 with great success,

The WW boat was a little more interesting. i fell in twice but i think that was largely because of a short paddle with a different offset to what i am use to. i managed to ferry glide and eddy ok but required a fair bit of concentration.

I tried a strap under the seat across my legs which was ok but proved pretty dangerous when i went over. So i will revisit that before i try it again.

But i am super keen to get out again.

Q

[dart43uk]

playboater J, on Dec 24 2009, 05:47 AM, said:

Hey I'm new to this forum. I'm a t12 para and I'm also a whitewater kayaker. I've been boating whitewater for almost 6 years, been a para for almost 13 years. I've also been an ACA certified kayak instructor. I have taught in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado. I would be willing to teach anyone here at no cost and help out in any way. I feel this is an awsome sport fo lower level paras and a great equalizer.
Our website www.kansaswhitewater.org
my email james@kansaswhitewater.org

Thanks
James Smith

Hi James

Great to read your story and excellent that you are now teaching other to paddle. lm T11 para who has been paddling for 12 years (doesnt seem that long) - for the past 6 or so years l have been a BCU coach. l paddle all manner of craft - Open Boat - suppose you would say Canadian - Sea Kayak (Wilderness Systems - excellent and well set up with great comfort) - White Water - Pyranha Burn at the mo. l have to agree that getting onto the water releases so much freedom - once on that liquid and your at one with the paddle.

Whats the paddling like in Kansas??

Keep up the good work.

Paul.

pyranha banana, on May 20 2009, 04:27 PM, said:

wriggley, on Nov 26 2008, 02:46 AM, said:

Just out of interest what do you folks paddle?

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.

Hi Dave hows it going - are you still down on the Marshes near Lydd fella - hows the paddling going nowadays.

lm still out there paddling & coaching

dont be a stranger m8

Paul.

[qman]

i recently got out a bit more and paddled a 2+ river, and was feeling way more confident,

interestingly i was also paddling a burn, love the boat, great fit out and easy enough to get in and out.
but love how it bites into eddies etc..

am pretty sure i will get one in the spring.

just got a new paddle,

Q

[selmasuki]

Hi everyone!

Been lurking for a while on the message boards and am new to the whole posting thang.

Great to hear that there are other paras out there who are also into kayaking.
I joined a local club that kayak/canoe on a nearby reservoir - has been so great getting out on the water in the sunshine and forgetting about the wheelchair. Would love to kayak on whitewater but at the moment am just developping my technique and trying out different boats.

I'm the first wheelchair member the club has had and generally people are pretty good about learning as we go along..but would be great to have tips from some of the trained and more experienced disabled paddlers out there on how to handle things. For example, some club members go really over the top in terms of trying to help me with everything...

Thanks

Selmasuki

[mellowgator]

hi there,

next week for spring break i am taking my 17 year old daughter and a couple of her friends to our family cabin in sapphire, north carolina. while there we want to go white water rafting. we went several years ago with an outfit called Nantahala Outdoor Center. the group did a good job and we really enjoyed the experience.

that being said, if anyone from this forum knows the area locally and has any suggestions on how to make this experience even better i'd appreciate your local knowledge.

sincerly,

mellowgator