ADAPTIVE SOLUTIONS FROM MARNA POWELL
The following essays were originally in the form of emails. Some are composites of several email questions and answers. All personal identifying data has been removed. I hope the responses are helpful to others. My heart goes out to anyone who would like to try kayaking but does not know where to start due to physical, medical, developmental, or cognitive issues.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to stay as healthy as you can. Please discuss kayaking and kayaking adaptations with your personal physician, sports trainer, physical therapist, or occupational therapist before beginning any kayak sport. Every person has different strengths and physiques. We all have different kayaks, paddles, and paddle on different types of water in different environments. NEVER attach your body to the kayak or paddle, or stuff any outfitting in so tightly around you that you are not able to fall out in a capsize. You absolutely must be able to fall out of the boat if it tips upside-down.
Focus on your strengths and what you CAN do!
The following advice is very general and is meant to inspire creative minds to utilize resources available around them. Forgive me for the fact that some of the answers are redundant. Many problems have similar solutions.
Contents:
GREENLAND PADDLES AND UPPER BODY AILMENTS (Shoulder, elbow, wrist. lower back) Even if you have no injuries, you will find good info in general about your forward stroke here.
AMPUTEE: LEG
AMPUTEE: ARM
SMALL CHILDREN (sometimes a handicap) Can't really take them anywhere but you can still have fun!
HAND ADAPTATIONS
LUMBAR SUPPORT
AUTISTIC YOUTH
MOTORIZED KAYAK
SPINAL CORD INJURY This is another spot to find great general safety and paddling info, even if you have no injuries or medical conditions.
TBI
GREENLAND PADDLES AND UPPER BODY AILMENTS
Q: … I live on the east coast so obviously I can not attend your classes, but I am seeking some advice. I am a recreational kayaker & am happy with my Necky Santa Cruz. However I have bilateral shoulder arthritis/& elbow tendonitis (tennis elbow) Also ,sorry to say, my back is an issue as well. However I take a stadium style seat & pad it plus add foam rolls for lumbar & back support & do all right. Fellow kayakers in my group have recommended a Greenland style paddle to me. Do you have any information or opinion on whether or not this style of paddle will lessen shoulder discomfort? I appreciate your input.
MP: Take a peek at my website and download the two-page PDF for Adaptive Paddling Tips. It is under the "Articles" section on the website.
Can you rotate your torso back and forth? If you can then a Greenland paddle will be your answer. If you cannot then it may be the answer. In either case, get a good physical or occupational therapist to line you up with some easy exercises to do at home EVERY SINGLE DAY and do them! Strengthening your torso will alleviate your back symptoms, make you a better paddler, give you better posture, and make you more attractive! Also get some good easy exercises to obtain and keep as much range of motion in your shoulders as you can.
For the "tennis" elbow a cock-up wrist split worn while driving and sleeping can really help, plus directed exercises that I cannot explain in an email! You may want to wear a neoprene wrist brace while paddling. You do not want to be cranking your wrist into a downward position. This puts stress on the tendon bundle inflaming the “Tennis Elbow” syndrome. Many paddlers make the mistake of pulling on the paddle with the lower hand (the side of the paddle in the water). This causes the wrist to crank forward, the elbow to bend back, and stress on the shoulder. Whether you use a Greenland, Aleut, or European style paddle you always want to get your strength from your legs and use torso rotation to move the paddle. Easier to demonstrate than to explain.
First of all, have a loose grip and not a “death grip!”
Keep the paddle parallel to your chest. Gently rotate your torso back and forth. As you do so you will shift your weight from one foot to the other. ( If I am really paddling hard my legs look like I am riding a bicycle! ) Try to keep the paddle shaft parallel with your chest. Hold the paddle out away from your body but do not hyper-extend your elbows. The forward stroke is all about getting leverage. Think about having to push your car if it dies on the road. You don’t sit on your butt and pull with your arms. You plant your feet and push with your arms! Engage your glutes and quads! In a nutshell: Paddle parallel to chest. Rotate torso. Plant the forward blade into the water (the “catch”) and keep that paddle shaft parallel to your chest. As the blade goes into the water, push with the foot closest to the blade in the water to get your leverage. Do not pull with your lower hand and bend that elbow. Instead, push with the top hand as you unwind your torso and keep the shaft parallel to your chest. This torso rotation should set you up for the catch on the other side where you will repeat the process. Work on one element at a time. Really strive to not pull with the lower hand. Again, this compromises your wrist and elbow and makes your shoulders work too hard. The entry and exit and hand positions are different for Greenland and Euro paddles. The basic premise of leveraging your stroke remains the same.
If you came to me as a client and you had never paddled I would put you right into a Greenland Paddle and not even give you the Euro choice. You want a Greenland paddle to be made for the size of your body. Some have "shoulders" and some do not. Without working with you and seeing you I can't say which is best. Theoretically a shouldered paddle could be planed down later if the shoulders aren't working for you.
I will tell you right now that I find the Greenland paddle to be a joy to paddle with, and that it takes little effort. That said, I personally paddle with a very short, fat, high vertical stroke Euro paddle. In fact, I often use a whitewater paddle in a sea kayak. The paddle I use in whitewater is a mere 191 cm long (or short). My sea kayak paddle is 205 cm. It is the longest paddle I've had in years! Given my bias in the other direction, I think it drives home the point that I think the Greenland paddle is great for upper body ailments.
The Greenland stroke is different from the Euro stroke (whether high or low shaft angle). Your Greenland stroke will catch at a slight forward angle (for a neutral position entry) much farther in front of you and the release is farther behind (for a neutral position exit). The paddle is held with your hands a tad closer together and at a fairly low (horizontal) shaft angle. The paddle will give you good feedback to tell you where it should be!
The basic stroke can be modified such that you can pretty much leave your elbows at your side and rely on torso rotations and leverage (with your lower body) to get your forward momentum. It is difficult to describe without actually working with you. I hope this all makes some kind of sense.
The Greenland paddle also has less of a load than the Euro paddles (especially the fat blades I love). The lighter load transfers as being easier on your upper body and lower back just as lifting something light is easier than a large heavy object.
Regarding your back: Is it your lower back? Try some sort of under-thigh support but MAKE SURE YOU CAN STILL WET EXIT! Also, Try an adjustable back-band, rather than a Rec seat with a high, firm back. You can add a Thermarest lumbar support. Be sure to engage your lower body (legs) while paddling. This keeps your circulation flowing, avoids pinching your sciatic nerve, and keeps moving all those parts that cause your back to ache such as when trying to merely stand and not move.
I am cc-ing my friend who is an ACA instructor and also an avid Greenland paddler and paddle maker. While I seem to be an authority on adaptive technique, Michael Morris is much more of an authority on actual Greenland paddling technique.
I can't say that I know any east coast instructors but you could check with the American Canoe Association and see if there are any adaptive instructors in your area.
Good luck. I commend you for continuing to paddle given your various ailments. It is such a wonderful sport and kayaking lends itself so well to all of our body types and histories.
Please let me know how all this works out for you.
MICHAEL MORRIS ADDS: I recommend you go to the QAJAQUSA website at
QAJAQUSA.org and then go to the "Greenland Forums" section. Put it out there that you are "so and so from such and such and can anyone nearby help me out with Greenland paddles and technique?" I may be wrong but I'm guessing you will get an avalanche of responses. I know there are folks in your area that are into the Greenland thing and they would be more than happy to help you out. If you were out here I'd loan you a paddle and give you a lesson. GPs are not for everyone but some folks with joint/wrist/elbow/shoulder issues find relief with them. I've converted a number of fellow paddlers out here with them. A word of caution; some of these Greenland aficionados can be enthusiastic to the point of zealotry. Don't be afraid, they're mostly harmless.
Good Luck,
Michael H. Morris
AMPUTEE: LEG
Q: …I am a modified hemi-pelvectomy amputee, but don’t have any trouble in a boat (I tip them over getting into them, but that’s only been on ramps and the shore). I like kayaks best because my balance is best when my bottom (and center of gravity) is at or near the waterline.
MP: As an amputee, do you have any special needs for kayaking? We usually put some sort of ballast in the cockpit to balance the weight of the missing leg. Water bladders work well for this. You always want the ballast to stay low in the cockpit and not roll around displacing any weight balances.
Paved boat launches give acceptable access but we can also work with floating dock access. Getting in and out of the kayak is when most people tip them over. It doesn’t matter how many limbs they have! The trick is to always keep your center of gravity as low as possible and over the center of the kayak. Keep in mind that if the boat tips then that “center” has moved. The real trick is to NEVER try to stand in the boat. If it is even in a half inch of water it can tip when you place the weight of your foot into it while most of your weight is up high (standing) and not centered over the cockpit (alongside the kayak).
AMPUTEE: ARM
Q: … I am missing my left arm, would this make it impossible for me to kayak? Have you worked with people with missing upper limbs? Anyway, I would really like to try it, but wanted some input from the pros.
MP: Do you use a prosthetic? Many prosthetic devices cannot be placed in water. While it is unlikely you would fall out of the kayak it is a possibility so I must ask.
Depending on what you use we can sometimes adapt a kayak or canoe handle to your device. Sometimes we cannot.
It is critically important that you be able to let go of the paddle in the event of a capsize so whatever we do we can't attach it to you or your prosthetic.
One man had his elbow intact but was missing the rest of his limb. He was able to hold a canoe paddle by placing the "T-handle" in the crook of his elbow.
If nothing else, we can put you in a double kayak with your friend and you can take pictures. Not as fulfilling but still a wonderful experience to be with a good friend in a beautiful place on the water.
There is a double-bladed kayak paddle from a company called “Propel” that can be used with just one arm. Since all the adaptive work we do is out of pocket, we have not yet been able to afford this product. I a hope to get one this year.
I hope this is helpful information. If you plan to come, let me know in advance so I can bring some extra stuff to make potential adaptations. Have a great trip!
SMALL CHILDREN (a different sort of “handicap”)
Q: …Can you give me more information on your tour led outings and the youngest children you allow to kayak.
MP: In regard to the young child question, it really depends upon what you wish to do and the size of the child. Open ocean kayak trips would not be appropriate for very small children. The lagoon trips and lagoon kayak rentals can accommodate small children, but again we don't have very tiny gear. We do however; have youth, toddler, and baby PFDs (lifejackets) and adult extra small splash jackets. The PFDs are by weight; under 30 lb., 30 to 50 lb., and 50 to 90 lb. Over 90 lb and we go into adult sizing.
Families with small children often use one of the big tandem kayaks. There is a third (center) seating area for small children. Bigger children can share the paddling with an adult in the tandem kayak. For babies we tilt the seat back and the gentle rocking motion of the kayak often rocks them to sleep.
You might consider just staying in the picnic area and not really go anywhere. You can just play around with the boats near shore with the kids.
HAND ADAPTATIONS
Q:…As a quadriplegic with little hand dexterity is there anything I can do to improve my grip?
MP: I hope these photos come out clear enough (see http://www.kayakzak.com/gallery.php?cat=9) Whatever you do, remember it is of utmost importance that you be able to quickly remove your hands and let go of the paddle. Here are two solutions for an easier grip. The inner tube solution is cheap and easy! Cut a bicycle inner tube (they come in different widths) and use zip ties to attach it to your paddle shaft. Trim the zip ties and cover with electrical tape. In the photos I only have one side taped so you can see the process. The ABS version is harder to make. Northwest Kayaks in Redmond WA is hoping to be able to produce these but as yet they don't have a manufacturing program in place f or them. If you or someone you know is handy they can be made with strips of ABS plastic (cut then heated and bent/formed) then attach velcro cable
ties with washers and short screws/nuts (counter sunk in bottom of plastic). Both of these solutions work great!
Sometimes just wearing paddle mittens can be enough to aid your grip. These are also called “Pogies.”
If you need more support, wear neoprene wrist braces.
NRS carries all kinds of great paddling gloves of various thickness. They have both full finger, fingerless gloves, and pogies. Their website is www.nrsweb.com
LUMBAR SUPPORT
Q: Could you recommend a good self-inflating lumbar support that will work in a low profile boat (Valley Pintail). I had successful spinal fusion surgery last summer and I can do all of the things I used to be able to do before I needed it, but am gettting pain from my lower back through my hip and down one leg. Probably sciatic nerve. The Valley backband is very narrow and tends to put pressure along its center seam. I know that a better backband is only part of the solution (the rest being strengthening my core muscles so that my spine can better transfer energy from my arms and shoulders down to my seat and leges) but it could help. Any advice would be appreciated.
MP: You are right about strengthening your core and everything else! I like the Thermarest lumbar support from Cascade Designs. I made a cover for mine with a belt that attaches to car seats and kayaks but they may even sell one. There's always duct tape too. Did you check out the downloadable PDF on my website under "articles?" It has some good hints for lower back and sciatic nerve. Along with proper posture, you need to engage your lower body and use your feet for leverage. Try under-thigh support (also from cascade designs or make your own. Be sure that anything you add for support will not entrap you in the event of capsize. It should fall out and float if you wet exit.
AUTISTIC YOUTH
Q: I have a small group of special needs kids between 8 and 10 or so years old. Each child would be accompanied by a parent. I wanted to check with you on the possibility of getting these kids together for some kayaking. Their diagnosis is Autism. I have read your site and believe your staff would be just the ticket to get these kids involved and introduce them to a fun outdoor activity they can do with their families.
The kids would be first timers and would need basic instruction with the parent right there to help with the communication to the child. Maybe a double sit on top kayak with the parent in back and the child in front, or one of your staff in back and the child in front - something like that.?
MP: We've taken autistic kids out with Easter Seals. Some of them just love the kayaks and others can't stand them. Big Lagoon County Park lends itself very well for this activity. Towards the bottom of the FAQ section on our website is a blurb about this park. Also, please look at the top part about what to wear.
http://www.kayakzak.com/faq.php
Double sit-on-top kayaks are a good idea. I only have six doubles so for a larger group to all go at once we would need to add some single kayaks.
For some special needs groups we often don't really go anywhere. Your group may prefer this option. The inlet at Big Lagoon has a sandy beach along it. We can just stay and play in the inlet and either take turns or else put everyone in boats at once. This option is good for autistic youth as it always gives the option of being able to get out and go back to shore. Those who don't wish to participate in the kayaking (or don't like it) can still be a part of the fun and the group but do so at his or her comfort level. This inlet is more shallow than other parts of the lagoon and in the summer the water gets relatively warm for swimming and splashing around. For this option we can just pull a few boats out and lots of life jackets.
This time of year the water is very cold. I'm not sure when your group might want to go. I'd recommend waiting until our warmer months since as you know, autistic individuals each have definitive comfort boundaries.
We are a regular for-profit outfitter. The adaptive paddling we do is subsidized out of my pocket. Adaptive paddling is my personal specialty and cause. As owner I get to pick my causes!
MOTORIZED KAYAK
Q: (This question was originally sent to Mike Barker at NRS) Hi, do you have any information about motorized kayaks, catarafts & small sailboats adapted for people with physical disabilities and life jackets that will hold an unconscious person's head out of water for use as assistive safety devices?
Mike responded: Subject: RE: NRS equip for disabled
Thanks for the email. Unfortunately, we do not carry any motorized kayaks
or rafts. We do make a motor mounting system for rafting frames, but this
was not specifically designed for a disabled user.
I personally know of a woman in Northern California named Marna Powell. She is the owner of a shop called "Kayak Zak's" in Orick and is very involved in adaptive paddling. She is a plethora of information when it comes to paddling with disabilities (mind you she will probably not have any information on motor specific adaptations). In any case, check out her website: www.kayakzaks.com and give her a call, she might have just the information you are looking for.
I hope this helps and if I can be of any further assistance, please feel
free to drop me a line.
MP: Cal Poly in San Louis Obispo had some engineering students working on a project a few years ago. It involved a recreational kayak, trolling motor and sponsons. They were working with the kinesiology department on adaptive equipment. Professor Kevin Taylor may be of help.
Another type of motor is a tandem kayak. Put one very able-bodied person in with another and you have a "motor."
The life jackets with the floppy collar floats behind the head will hold a head out of water, but if a person is face down they would still need to turn over to float.
You might also contact the American Canoe Association for adaptive paddling info.www.americancanoe.org
My website has a 2 page PDF download under "Articles" called "Adaptive Paddling Tips." It goes with a presentation but can be helpful by itself.
MARNA CC’D THE ABOVE RESPONSE TO DR. KEVIN TAYLOR AT CAL POLY. DR. TAYLOR RESPONDED: We are indeed working on a motorized KAyak for people with disabilities. The project is funded in part by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and the target population is people with quadriplegia. We call the project the "SoloQuad Conversion Project" and we use engineering students in our college of engineering to work on different aspects of the project for their senior project. We have gone through several iterations of the seat and stability designs but finally last spring we cracked it, we have a terrific seat and stability that makes this thing safe (clearly of utmost importance).
We need to refine our control of the trolling motor we are using, which is what we are currently working on. We have a trolling motor and have figured out how to make it work the way we need, i.e. the boat moves in the same direction as the joystick and the speed is proportional to the size of the joystick movement. We've achieved this sporadically so far and now have electrical engineers working on fine-tuning the system before waterproofing, mounting and testing.
If things go well we should be ready to hit the water this spring. That's it in a nutshell. I am attaching an old flyer with information about the project. FYI - I have copied the engineering professor in charge of the project and the Kinesiology Student who is working as the current project coordinator.
Hope this helps, let me know if you want more info or would like to get involved.
cheers,
Kevin
SPINAL CORD INJURY
Q: I am a C-7 quadraplegic & live on the water - which I have enjoyed LOOKING at for 25 years. I now would like to go OUT in it on a kayak fitted out for ME - but haven’t a clue about adaptive equipment &/or what type of kayak?? We are very remote with few resources so can you please advise me as to what is out there for me & where I can find it, look at & try?? I am very comfortable on the water, I just want to enjoy it more & on a kayak.
Hope you can help!
Looking forward to hearing from you
Thanks
MP: You did not tell me if your spinal cord injury is complete. Are you able to use your limbs at all? Basically the question is "what can you do?" rather than "what can't you do?"
A: I am very comfortable on & in the water (as long as it is not too cold!!)
I have kayaked before – but as it has been in ones w/ regular seating w/o the support I require, I don’t have the right balance to sustain more than a few strokes. I am a C-7 complete quadraplegic, but w/ good arms & OK hands for gripping the paddle. Seating is the issue. I need higher than regular back support, preferable some side support & able to be inclined back a bit. Seat bottom/cushion must not be hard & it would be nice to have a foot support rather then just having my legs flopping around. If I can get 2 people to lower me into kayak from our floating dock then I am good to go if comfortable! We live on a sheltered cove of the Chesapeake Bay w/ lots of opportunities for mostly flat water experiences. There are tidal & current issues, but w/ the right seating I should be able to handle them. If you have photos of adaptable seatings that would be great. There is an outfitter here www.baytrails.com who would like me to go /w them on their tours, but I need to find the right seating. If there is anything I could try, then perhaps you could let me do so on trial? Let me know, as I really want some time this summer on the water!
AND…Q2 FROM ANOTHER PERSON:
Hi! I know a seventeen young girl who is tetraplegic (C5); in the past she practiced scubadiving, canoeing and mountaineering, and she wants to return to canoeing. For the seats I already know how I will adapt it. My doubts are related to the type/structure of paddle to use, since she cannot use very well her legs (hypotonia) and her arms (stiffness).Thank you.
MP: I am blind-copy-sending to you both to protect personal medical information. By coincidence I received your emails the same day.
You have both probably been to my website. I hope you've looked through the adaptive gallery and downloaded the Adaptive handout. The ACA book is also a good resource.
I'll try to help as best I can.
AVOID ENTRAPMENT
Never attach a person to a kayak or paddle. We all have to be able to fall out of the kayak and release the paddle in the event of a capsize. Never block anyone in with objects so solid that they cannot fall out.
AVOID SKIN TEARS
Explain to the folks working on this project that one absolutely cannot afford to get any skin tears. Furthermore, kayaking is a water sport and wet environments inhibit healing and promote bacterial growth. If a person cannot feel their legs or butt then he/she won't even know they have a skin tear. Sebaceous cysts must be avoided. Muscles atrophy, leaving skin on bone. The butt must have a ton of padding underneath since most of the weight will be placed upon the butt. Do not take an expensive wheel chair seat and put it in the kayak, then back on the chair. You can't have a wet chair seat. Also, take extreme caution getting the person's legs in and out of the kayak cockpit.
WHICH KAYAK TO USE?
Chose a wide, stable recreational style kayak. A tandem works best because you have the advantage of another "motor."
SEAT BACK/SIDES TORSO SUPPORT
The torso must be supported. Usually from the spinal cord injury south.
Remove the back of the seat. Carve styrafoam or ethafoam and duct-tape or contact cement it into place to support your back and sides. Wear a life jacket and then fit the seat back and sides around you. The back may need to tilt back slightly, rather than be upright. Not tilt forward. Line this rigid (structural) foam with ensolite foam. You can cover the whole thing with strips of duct tape but make sure there are absolutely no wrinkles in the duct tape.
Always make sure the person can get out of this seat if the boat capsizes.
Northwest kayaks has been working on a prototype seat back. It is based on Janet Zeller's seat.
SEAT BOTTOM CUSHION
The seat must be very well padded. Use a 2 inch block of minicell foam and carve it out to fit the body as needed. Line it with ensolite. It may take two ensolite layers. This seat has to be very padded and soft. Neoprene makes a nice cover over the whole thing. Duct tape can be used but again, NO wrinkles!
FOOT SUPPORT
Remove the foot pegs (keepers). If you leave the tracks in the boat, cover them with pipe foam insulation and duct-tape in place.
Carve a solid bulkhead out of thick styrafoam. Place a float bag behind it and leave the tube out to inflate. Duct tape the bulkhead footrest into place.
I retrofitted the front of a double using an adjustable bulkhead system from a whitewater kayak. You can also use a mass quantity of mini cell foam and fill the bow up with foam until it is the correct length.
LINE THE FLOOR
A foam yoga pad or sleeping bag pad should line the floor inside the kayak.
UNDER THIGH SUPPORT
This can be a Sealine (Cascade Design) inflating under-thigh support, a yoga pad rolled up, a towel roll, or anything that can be placed under the thighs to support them in a bent knee position. Place it under the legs after the paddler is in the kayak. It should not entrap him/her in the event of capsize.
BALANCE
You may need to add sponsons for balance and stability. Long float bags can be lashed to the sides if you don't have any actual sponsons.
GETTING IN AND OUT
Place a piece of pipe insulation foam around the cockpit while the paddler is getting in and out. This will help prevent bumping the shins.
A shower seat and slide board can be handy.
I have a square boat seat/flotation device attached to a milk crate. We bring the wheelchair down to the launch. The kayak is as near to water as we can get it. The person transfers from the wheelchair to the padded milk crate and then across to the kayak. We put the legs inside first the transfer the person over.
HAND ADAPTATIONS
For better support wear a neoprene wrist splint.
For a better grip you can zip tie a piece of bicycle inner tube across the grip area of the paddle. Make sure the hand can easily slip out. Never tape or attach the paddle to the hand.
AND...
There is so much. So many variables. Each person is unique and will have different strengths. The individual person should be very involved in the outfitting of his/her kayak. He/she will know best about his/her own personal condition, strengths, needs, and comfort.
I cannot teach you everything I know in an email. Hedge on the side of caution!
I hope this is helpful. Have fun!
MANY PHOTOS FROM THE ADAPTIVE GALLERY WERE ATTACHED TO THE ABOVE RESPONSE.
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
Q: ... my brother just returned from Iraq. His physical body is mostly intact but he suffered a traumatic brain injury. He has always loved the outdoors. Someone suggested kayaking might be a good thing for him.
MP: TBI can run the gamut in physical and cognitive impairment. The most common side effect is short-term memory loss. The good news is that kayaking is really dependent upon “muscle memory” rather than “remembering.” The best analogy is that at one time we all had to learn how to eat with a fork but now we just do it (although many folks with TBI have had to learn this skill again). There was a time when we had to think how to hold the fork, pick up the food, and not miss our mouths on the way in. Persons with TBI take to kayaking really well. Rather than giving them a lot of instruction we get them into the kayaks with minimal hints, then fine-tune the physical process while on the water.
Does your brother have any other issues? For instance balance, walking, or weakness in any limbs? We can accommodate these issues as well.