Bluewater kayaking: a sport for everyone - includes source information for disabled paddlers

Parks & Recreation, August, 1996 by Nola Syfert Kundu

If you paddle an ocean kayak for the first time, you are bound to become addicted. On the water, you will relish the graceful sensation of gliding over sleek, rolling waves. On shore, you will find yourself planning trips and craving the feel of a paddle in your hands. Ocean kayaking is remarkably accommodating; it's easy to learn, it's great exercise, it's educational and it's fun. The best thing about ocean kayaking is that it is suitable for all ages from the pre-teenager to the senior enthusiast. All you really need is some basic instruction and a desire for adventure.

As a recreational activity, ocean kayaking has only come upon the scene in the last decade. Today, the sport has gained unprecedented popularity. Tour groups and sports stores cater to the kayak enthusiast. Extended expeditions or weekend excursions are available to explorers, naturalists or the casual paddler. Ocean kayaking is quickly becoming one of the most popular self-propelled recreational activities in North America.

Frequently referred to as `sea kayaking' or `bluewater kayak touring,' the activity originated as a practical method of hunting and traveling by the Aleutian Innuit of the high Arctic. In the late 1970s, kayakers started appearing in coastal regions near the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Since then, explorers and eco-tourists have adopted the sport as a favored method of traveling through wilderness areas with minimal impact. Today, ocean kayaks are found wherever there is a body of water; on wilderness lakes, in rural and urban waterways, near city beaches and along open shorelines.

Ocean kayaking is as different to river kayaking as downhill skiing is to cross-country skiing. The ocean kayak is a larger, sea-worthy craft designed to remain upright in moderate to heavy waves. Unlike a river boat, the ocean kayak is not designed for speed or maneuverability, but rather for stability and comfort. The craft is ideally suited for younger or older paddlers with little or no experience, and many recreational centers are quickly adding ocean kayaking to their itinerary of leisure programs.

People who are physically challenged (particularly those with lower limb disabilities) are finding sea kayaking to be one sport in which they can be in control. Other benefits to the physically challenged include good aerobic exercise, being out in natural environments and experiencing a feeling of equality with other paddlers who are not physically challenged.

Some minor adaptations may be necessary and will vary, depending on the level or nature of the paddler's disability. Adaptations could include the design of the boat itself (seat, rudder, paddles), techniques for entering and exiting the kayak and possibly variations in landing or launching the vessel. Some paddlers may elect to paddle in a tandem kayak and avoid the technicalities of having to manipulate or operate a single kayak on their first exposure to the sport. It is recommended that all paddlers--abled and physically challenged--begin paddling in groups that include a few skilled paddlers who are familiar with the novices' level of skill and physical conditioning.

One attraction to ocean kayaking is its quick learning curve. With the right supervision, beginners can start paddling efficiently on their first attempt. Turning the boat is quite simple: a foot operated rudder controls the direction of the boat (or with hand operated modifications for those with lower limb disabilities).

In most kayaks, bulkheads separate the bow and stern hatches and allow for equipment to be carried in sealed compartments. Rigging is stretched across the deck for the attachment of bird-watching guides, aquatic maps, chocolate bars or anything the paddler may want to keep handy. For additional stability (for teaching young or physically challenged children), inflatable sponsons are available to make the craft virtually unsinkable: beginning paddlers can safely and confidently travel on short orientation trips to become familiar with the sport.

Ocean kayaking can also be considered a stepping-stone for developing many other interests. Bird-watching and wildlife photography are naturally associated with sea kayaking. Paddlers are able to travel into environments rich in pelagic and shoreline wildlife. Whales, seals, moose, waterfowl and shorebirds are all easily seen from the seat of an ocean kayak.

As with many other adventure sports, safety must always be remembered when traveling on the water. Life jackets or government approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) are a must. Novice kayakers are often misled by irresponsible veteran paddlers who refuse to wear a life preserver. Such mistakes sometimes lead to tragedy.

Experienced paddlers have learned that certain self-rescue techniques are also a fundamental part of ocean kayaking. For those who develop a serious interest in the sport, supplemental courses and workshops are offered by a number of regional sports stores and tour outfitters. Kayaking clubs and watersports organizations are listed in recreational magazines or at your local library, and can often provide information about special needs, beginner, intermediate, or advance paddling programs available in your area.