Gear: Disabled Aids

August-September 1998

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

RADIO CONTROLLED RUDDER

Prototype radio-controlled rudders were introduced to participants of the Active Living Alliance Annual National Forum held in Victoria during May. The rudders, operated by touch devices attached to the shaft of kayak paddles, allow people with lower body impairments to steer a kayak in much the same way that foot pedals are used in regular kayaks. When the devices are touched, they send a radio signal to a motor stowed in the rear hatch which in turn drives the rudder left or right. The motor itself is powered by a solar charged battery.

Still in the design stage, it is hoped that the system can also be modified with a breath-controlled device for people with quadriplegic conditions as well as a remote signal for people with visual impairments. Small pontoons have also been designed to fit over the stern of specially adapted kayaks to provide additional stability. These system have been designed through a joint project by Current Designs, the University of Victoria and Recreation Integration Victoria. The engineering is by .. Greg Felik of the Tetra Society. The rudders and pontoons help minimize physical handicaps, enabling paddlers of all abilities to paddle together by eliminating physical handicaps. Once that spray skirt is done up everyone will be in the sane boat! Er...so to speak.

Thanks to Kathryn Gardner

PADDLE SUPPORT

When the Wave-Length crew dropped in at this year's Kayak Symposium on Thetis Island, we had a chance to meet a number of disabled paddlers in attendance.

Mercia Sixta of the Pacific International Kayak Association, who organizes the event, is a pioneer in training paddlers are various abilities.

The accompanying photos show an innovative paddle support which was developed to assist Bruce (shown here) who has limited arm function on one side. Bruce is a member of CORK, Creative Options for Recreational Paddlers.

Mercia and CORK can be reached at 604/597-1122 or through Western Canoeing and Kayaking at 604/853-9320.0 AW