Inflatable Kayak Blog

by Darren Young

A long time friend of mine came back from Iraq recently. We rejoiced at his homecoming, but his zest for life was gone. Tim was an avid outdoorsman. When shrapnel ripped through his lower back resulting in the paralysis of both his legs, his heart was ripped to shreds along with them.

When he arrived stateside, Tim’s physical therapist struggled to find activities Tim would enjoy. In my friend’s eyes, his disability was insurmountable and he had no interest in meeting new friends through wheelchair sports.

One day, out of frustration more than kindness, I grabbed my Innova Sunny inflatable kayak, borrowed Tim’s conversion van (with him grumbling in the passenger seat) and set out to jolt him into a better disposition by a good talking to in the middle of our favorite lake.

The whole way there I heard every conceivable excuse and complaint about the trip. By the time we arrived at the boat ramp, I was not only ready to get out onto the water, but to push Tim in it.

Since I had to endure his kibitzing, I made Tim carry the kayak and pump in his lap down to the ramp. All the while, he complained. When we got to the edge of the grass, I lowered the boom, “Ya know what dude? If this is how you’re going to treat your best friend who’s trying to have some quality time with you, then you can put the boat in the water yourself!”

With that, I went for a walk to cool off. Yes, I felt guilty. While I was out kicking up dust, I imagined Tim just sitting in his wheelchair with the deflated kayak and pump, struggling with what to do next. Much to my surprise that wasn’t what I came back to.

With a broad smile painted on his face, Tim was sitting in the inflated Innova Sunny and called out, “What took you so long? Why don’t ya take my wheelchair and this pump up to the van and let’s get going.”

Kayaking is an excellent sport for people with disabilities, and gives them a new kind of freedom on the water. With a little determination and help from a friend, one can free themselves from the stresses of everyday life. And because padding is all upper body work, those with lower limb limitations actually excel at the sport.

There are a number of potential problems to be aware of, but by taking a few extra precautions, individuals with disabilities can experience a sense of independence that only kayaking has to offer.

Getting in and out of a kayak can pose a challenge, but as Tim and I discovered, getting into the inflatable while on the grass near the waters edge was easier than entering from a boat dock. So long as you have a friend to retrieve any special mobility equipment from your vehicle, using the inflated sides of the kayak act as an intermediate step help make entry and exit into a wheelchair much easier.

Launching in a lake, sheltered harbor or bay is safer than launching in surf. Like Tim and I, you’ll want to find a sandy or grassy area, free of rocks, right next to the boat launch. This will help reduce the amount of scratches on the bottom of the kayak, while keeping you away from boaters, who may be in a hurry to launch their vessels.

Somewhere during the fifteen minutes I was taking a time out, Tim had found his chutzpah. It felt good to see him forget his situation for a while and be the athlete I’ve always felt privileged to call my best friend. I guess sometimes it takes finding the right sport to remind us of how capable we really are.