C-Forum

Dooley gave a talk about open boating to the Western Carolina Paddler's a few weeks ago. Some of the veterans in the Asheville chapter of Team River Runner were in attendance. As a result, I got a call today requesting that I bring some canoes to the pool session tonight for the guys to try (all the TRR boats are kayaks or inflatables). So I loaded up my Fly (as usual) and my Ledge and headed over.

Anyway, one of the guys was anxious to jump in the Ledge. I showed him how to do a cross draw, and he started paddling up and down the length of the pool - looked like a natural. He asked why I love paddling an open boat. After I told him, he said that's what Dooley said.

So great job Dooley. And when warm weather returns I need to borrow a boat that fits someone over 6' tall 'cause this guy is ready to paddle a canoe, and my boats are outfitted for someone barely 5' tall.

Lee and I are headed to the FB in AM. Wish I didn't work on Tues. but will continue to help Team RIver Runners anyway I can- great group

Give me a call when they are ready for the river. I have some demo boats available in the Asheville area.

Team river runners is a great program. I have always thought that cboating could be a great option for those soldiers who have lost their legs in combat. I feel like the outfitting in a OC1 or C1 could be retrofitted for individuals like this.

I have a friend who recently lost both legs in Afghanistan and I have already been encouraging him to get involved with TRR.

Great Eli. I'll call ya.

xmas0c1c1k1 wrote:Team river runners is a great program. I have always thought that cboating could be a great option for those soldiers who have lost their legs in combat. I feel like the outfitting in a OC1 or C1 could be retrofitted for individuals like this.

I knew a guy from teeside who was a double amputee (1 below knee, 1 mid thigh) and paddled C1 slalom, and he was devastatingly quick... I remeber him because he always managed to pesuade someone to run down the course with his prothetic legs, which was always quite comic looking.

Cool. Its always good to bring new people in to open boating!

Know a guy who is paraplegic, paddles hard stuff, but have seen him being helped around hard 4, by his friends by wheelbaring around a rapid.(he got out of boat and flipped over on his hands, while buddy held his legs and they handwalked around a hard portage). Pretty impressive. Dale

Several years ago, Craig Heflin and I helped out at Shepherd Spine Center with a whitewater kayaking class for 5 guys and 2 girls that worked out great!!! One of they guys paddled then Nanty regularly and I had another on the Cartecay several times. It really made me appreciate what I have. There are great opportunities to work with many groups out there, we just need to take the time and do it!

I made an instructional DVD for a one arm canoe paddled designed by one my of professors, for my senior project last spring. It is a great paddle and works really well. I will try to post a video of the paddle in action. I have not taken it on ww but I think it is possible.