By Cliff Bridges
from Total Access, Summer 2000

Looking for a new rec opportunity? Kayaking is one sport that can be adapted for almost all levels of ability.

Bonnie Friesen wants people with SCI to know that kayaking is an equal opportunity sport.

“Basically, leaving the wheelchair on shore makes everyone equal on the water,” says Friesen, who is employed with the Vancouver Park Board as an adapted aquatic specialist. “Once in kayaks, paras look the same as everyone else. A quad may be only slightly more visible because of the need for balance and support apparatus.”

Together with kayak instructor Mercia Sixta, Friesen has helped developed Creative Options for Recreational Kayaking (CORK for short), an offshoot of the Pacific International Kayaking Association. Each year, this unique program introduces people with disabilities to the joy of kayaking.

“Flat water kayaking is more conducive to learning,” says Friesen. “We start our program in a pool setting and then onto a flat lake. And then, for paddlers who are kayak-safe, it’s out to the open water.”

By open water, Friesen means the Pacific Ocean—CORK programs culminate in a two-day seminar at Camp Squamish just north of Vancouver.

While CORK emphasizes ocean paddling, Friesen explains that, depending on a person’s injury, river kayaking isn’t out of the question. River kayaks are more maneuverable, but less stable. As a result, the “Eskimo roll” is a necessary skill—but one that requires excellent upper body and lower trunk strength.

Training begins with a thorough assessment. “Before entering a kayak, it’s very important to assess a person in the water using progressions,” says Friesen. “For example, is a person comfortable getting wet and getting their face in the water? Can they blow bubbles? Can they swim with and without a PFD (personal floatation device)? Are they comfortable going under the water when doing a wet exit? If a person is not comfortable at any of these stages, training should be given.”

Once a person is ready to paddle, it’s important to build confidence and skill. “Again, progressions are used to learn how to get in and out of the kayak, paddling techniques, and safety and rescue techniques,” says Friesen.

She adds that everyone must learn wet exits—extracting yourself when the kayak tips. If a person isn’t able to wet exit, the kayak must be adapted to make it untippable by adding sponsons—floats on either side of the kayak. “If there’s any doubt, use them,” she cautions.

Generally, kayaking requires good upper body strength, and Friesen recommends that interested paddlers take part in an exercise program to build up muscles that may be needed. But she adds that virtually anyone, regardless of strength, can enjoy the water with a double kayak and a willing partner.

Overall, Friesen says that being flexible and inventive is the key ingredient to make kayaking a successful experience for people with disabilities.

For example, commercial seating assists are available but are generally expensive.

“To enable people to sit with support and maximum comfort, we’ve used swimming kick boards, foam, all sorts of padding, collapsible foam stadium type seating (such as thermarest seats) and anything else that will work,” says Friesen. “To be honest, sometimes we’re very successful and other times things just haven’t worked for some people.”

She adds that additional padding may be required to keep slimmer hips more stable in a kayak (but make sure you can get out when doing a wet exit).

There’s also the issue of hand strength for quads—obviously, you’ve got to keep a grip on the paddle.

“We’ve used commercial therapeutic gripping gloves,” says Friesen, “but in most cases they’re not ideal because they velcro the hand to the paddle, so when the kayak goes over the paddler can’t let the paddle go. We like to use pieces of bicycle inner tube cut into about ten inches in length and then we duct tape it to the paddle. The paddler can then slide his hand under the tubing and it helps support his grip. This system also allows the hand to come free easily if necessary.”

When it comes to transferring, Friesen says independence is encouraged when possible. Typically, a paddler first transfers onto the back of the kayak and sits on some padding, and then lowers onto a lower profile cushion in the kayak. Using kayaks with large cockpits allows people with limited mobility to transfer more easily. The further up the beach you transfer, the more stable the kayak—but naturally, the farther your kayak from the water, the more help you’ll need getting into it.

Skin damage is a concern for paddlers with SCI. A thorough self-assessment is recommended, and a properly fitting wet suit or dry suit is necessary (baby powder sometimes help to get people into suits). When transferring, avoid bumps and bruises—sometimes it doesn’t take much to bring on a pressure sore. While paddling, be aware of any rubbing of skin. Remove or cover sharp parts inside the kayak with foam, blankets or padding of some sort. Remember to do regular weight shifts and increase length of trips as stamina and skin tolerance builds. Like any other water sport, when you’ve finished kayaking, dry well, do a thorough skin check, and change into dry clothes. If your wheelchair cushion was used in the kayak and the cover is wet, change the cushion cover.

Friesen urges anyone interested in kayaking to find a way of testing the waters—for example, contact a club, try out a kayak at an outdoor show, or ask for advice and contact information at a store that specializes in paddling.

This article first appeared in Total Access, Summer 2000