One warm and sunny August afternoon, Caitlin had the opportunity to try Adaptive Kayaking!  Not only did she have fun, but it was also great exercise.   From safety to equipment, there was a lot I learned about this wonderful activity.

Benefits of Adaptive Kayaking

It’s challenging to get a good aerobic workout for Caitlin because of her limited ability to stand and walk.  Kayaking is done in a seated position so it is a good aerobic option for those with limited lower body mobility.  Also, the rowing motion uses a lot of upper body and arm strength.  Holding and maneuvering the oar increases hand strength. 

Kayaking is also good for the soul.  Being out on the water and in nature is peaceful and relaxing.  It can be fun working as a team when rowing with a buddy.   Or if done independently, moving about the water can be freeing and rewarding.     

A  Well-Equipped Program

The activity was offered by the Michigan Adaptive Sports Summer Program.  Michigan Adaptive Sports is a chapter of the national organization Move United. Check with your local chapter as I imagine that all chapters are run differently.

The local Michigan program is well-equipped with everything needed for a successful boating excursion.  Participants just needed to bring lots of enthusiasm and energy!

Life jackets of all sizes were available and all participants were outfitted properly.   Many sizes and styles of oars were also available.  Single and double kayaks were available depending on participant’s skill level.   

Safety is Top Priority  

The session started with a bunch of questions to assess Caitlin’s skill and comfort level.  Some questions asked were…   Does she have any previous kayaking experience?   Is she comfortable being far away from the shore?  How comfortable is she with a volunteer she does not know?  What is her ability to grasp or maneuver an oar? 

For all activities, I also do my own personal assessment to gauge Caitlin’s readiness for an activity.  I use a combination of verbal and non-verbal cues to evaluate going forward with the activity, or not.  Some examples are:  asking  yes/no questions, observing her facial expressions, observing her interaction with volunteers, taking note if her body is tense or relaxed.

After chatting a bit more, it seemed she was ready to give kayaking a try!

I tend to get a little nervous when I’m not directly involved in the activity with Caitlin.  But the focus on safety eased my concerns.  Here are some examples of their safety precautions:

• Since she had never kayaked before, she was teamed up with a buddy.  Her buddy was an experienced volunteer.  She was very patient and super nice to Caitlin.
• They selected an appropriate kayak.  Since Caitlin was a beginner, they thought it would be best to have a double kayak so her buddy could be in the same boat.  That way, the buddy could do most of the paddling and maneuvering. 
• A properly sized lifejacket was selected and securely buckled
• An army of volunteers helped prepare boats, launch boats and assist participants into the boats.
• They ensured that the boat was steady and balanced before leaving shore.
• They practiced paddling before leaving shore.
• Other experienced volunteers were floating around the lake to assist and check on participants.

Modifications for More Fun

The kayak had some modifications that increased the engagement and independence for a beginner paddler like Caitlin. 

• Two stabilizing buoys were attached to the back of the boat.  This helped to keep the kayak steady and reduce effort for the boaters to stay balanced. 
• An attachment on the front held the oar in place but still allowed the user to rotate the oar.  Caitlin is not able to grasp with her right hand and this was perfect for a one-handed rower.    
• The kayak had a comfortable back rest for trunk support.   (I wish we had one when we went City Canoeing!)

Other Tips

The adaptive kayaking activity was offered only 3 days of the summer.  This meant that there were limited spots for participants.  Here are some suggestions to maximize your enjoyment.

• Call ahead to ask about what equipment is available for use and what they suggest you should bring
• Be on-time and ready for your scheduled time
• Look up the location ahead of time.  In our experience, the boat launch was a bit of a walk from the parking lot and it took extra time to get there.
• If there are other activities that you signed up for, ensure that there is enough time in-between to change or take a break.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks.
• Sessions are limited and many times there is a waiting list.  Be courteous and call to cancel if you’re not able to attend.

Additional Resources on Adaptive Kayaking 

• https://moveunitedsport.org/sport/kayaking/  Move United offers adaptive kayaking at many chapters around the US
• https://www.angleoar.com/adaptive-paddling  Adaptive paddles mounting products and locations that offer adaptive paddling
• https://heroesonthewater.org/the-healing-benefits-of-kayaking/  Nice read on healing benefits of kayaking
• https://www.creatingability.com/  Neat products for modifying a kayaking
• DNEM | Your Link to Community Resources (dnemichigan.org) Disability Network of Eastern Michigan offers Adaptive Kayaking clinics in the summer months.

I think Caitlin really enjoyed her kayaking session, don’t you?

Have you tried Adaptive Kayaking?  I would love to hear of your experience in the comments below. 

If you have a great program in your area, please share it with us!

JoAnn

JoAnn’s journey as a parent and caregiver to an individual with disabilities started when her daughter was born pre-maturely with multiple health issues resulting in cognitive, physical and speech disabilities.  Over the years, JoAnn discovered that recreation, travel and social experiences can bring happiness and relief to a life that is often stressful and frustrating.  She loves to seek out adaptive, accessible and fun activities for her daughter and the whole family to enjoy.  She started the blog www.OurSpecialFunOasis.com to share her uplifting stories and positive ideas to help and to inspire others.