Perspectives From Adaptive Kayaking

I know it has been a while since I have written but I got a new job and have been struggling a bit to figure out my new routine.  Now that I have that sorted out I am going to try to write at least once a week.

  Lonnie Bedwell

I also know it’s completely the wrong time of year in Maine to be writing about kayaking. I was inspired to write this post by a friend of mine. Lonnie Bedwell, whom I met on a ski trip to Alaska, is blind from a hunting accident in 1997. Since then he has gone on to be one of the most badass blind athletes on the planet. Not only is he an amazing athlete, but he also is a roofer. Yes, he does roofing for a living when he isn’t roaming the world, conquering mountains or rivers. He is a charismatic public speaker and all around great guy.  I had an amazing week in Alaska getting to know him and all about his escapades through life.

So back to the inspiration for this post.  Lonnie along with a group of friends has just released a film that has been traveling the film festival circuit and winning awards.  The film is called Feel of Vision and is about Team River Runner, a group of blind veterans who were guided by veterans to complete a 226-mile kayak trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. I don’t want to give anything away about the film so you should click on the link below and check out the trailer. Also, make sure to click on Lonnie’s name and visit his website.  I have barely scratched the surface of his achievements and history. Feel of Vision Trailer

Getting Into Kayaking

I also have dabbled with kayaking over the past few years.  Of course nothing like what Lonnie has done. A few years ago I realized that we live near so many ponds and lakes that I had to find a way to enjoy that part of the outdoors.  I started researching kayaks and other means of water sports.  Through my research, I found that there is such a thing as an inflatable kayak.  I thought this might be an easy way for me to access the water. After looking online, I found a couple used ones for sale, drove 3 hours one way and bought them that weekend. The fact that they could be deflated and then rolled up to be able to easily carry it on my lap was a great feature.  Then when I get where I want to kayak and I can just inflate it with the car air compressor and put it on the shore, hop in and go.  I have found it is also very stable in the water and I sit right down in it so it helps keep my balance.  I don’t have a lot of control once I lean past a certain point from side to side.  It can be difficult to upright myself without some sort of assistance or something to push against. Being surrounded by the kayak makes it very easy to paddle and not feel tippy.

Experiences Through Kayaking

After getting the kayaks Sandy and I went out quite frequently that summer exploring the little-hidden ponds and lakes in our area.  Truth be told we literally live on a pond and have never kayaked on it haha.  I think it doesn’t seem adventurous enough to just walk down the hill to the pond.  Kayaking has allowed me to view the world from yet another perspective that you don’t get sitting on the shore.  This perspective has given me the opportunity to be surrounded by nature in a peaceful, slow setting. One of those settings I remember quite clearly was Coleman Pond in New Hampshire.  It is a fairly small pond so it didn’t take a super long time to make our way around Throughout the day we watched an eagle, could see fish below us and watched a loon. We literally were surrounded by nature. The animals carried on about their day, allowing us the chance to be in their world.  That is also what climbing does for me.  It allows me opportunities to see the world from new perspectives.

(Warning here comes some philosophical musings haha.)

As I sit here writing this and thinking about seeing things from different perspectives, it makes me wonder if we all looked at things from multiple perspectives how that might change the world we live in.

 Closing Thoughts

Ok back to kayaking.  There are many programs around the world that allow people to kayak no matter what their ability.  Here in Maine, there is Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation.

Check out the link above to learn more about the paddling program at MASR.

Hopefully, I have piqued your interest in learning more about adaptive kayaking and the life-changing experiences that it can provide.  Be sure to check out all the links scattered about this post for more information and to see all the amazing things Lonnie is doing!