Adaptive Kayaking at North Carolina State Parks

The outdoors is for everyone, but many activities are out of reach for those with disabilities. To create more access to activities like hiking and kayaking, North Carolina State Parks and Recreation partnered with Waypoint Adventure NC to offer adaptive recreation programs for visitors with disabilities. The pilot program launched with great success!

The kayaking program began with training in adaptive kayaking techniques. Waypoint Adventure NC presented their Inclusion & Access training to North Carolina State Parks staff in preparation for accessible paddling adventures at iconic spots like Lake Norman State Park and Lake James State Park. 

Adam Combs, director of Waypoint Adventure, demonstrating adaptive kayak techniques. Adam is pointing at a tendem kayak placed on tile flooring with a transfer bench over the kayak. Photo courtesy of Waypoint Adventure NC.
Photo: Adam Combs, director of Waypoint Adventure, demonstrating adaptive kayak techniques to a group of North Carolina State Park Rangers and staff.

 

Adam Combs, director of Waypoint Adventure NC, demonstrating kayaking techniques on land to a group of North Carolina State Park Rangers and staff sitting on the grass in front of him. He’s holding a kayak paddle horizontally at chest-level. There is a tandem kayak outfitted with an adaptive seat on the ground. Photo courtesy of Waypoint Adventure NC.
Photo: Adam Combs, director of Waypoint Adventure, demonstrating kayaking techniques to a group of North Carolina State Park Rangers and staff.

 

Ryan Carlson, Deputy Director of Waypoint Adventure, lowering himself into a tandem kayak with a mounted paddle system as Adam Combs watches. The kayak is on pavement near a lake’s sandy beach area. The Waypoint Adventure canopy tent is set up in the sand behind them. Photo courtesy of Waypoint Adventure NC.
Photo: Ryan Carlson, Deputy Director of Waypoint Adventure, lowering himself into a tandem kayak with a mounted paddle system.

 

Two people in a tandem kayak with their paddles lying horizontally across the kayak while two others stand in chest-deep water next to the kayak. A woman in the water wraps a sling around a paddle to practice a rescue technique. Photo courtesy of Waypoint Adventure NC.
Photo: Practicing a rescue technique.

On July 9, an enthusiastic group of kayakers took to the water for the first adaptive kayaking event of the program at Lake Norman. Since that first successful outing, there have been several more events at both Lake Norman State Park and Lake James State Park. 

A group of people standing in a circle on a sandy beach near a lake. Tandem kayaks are lined up on the beach and the Waypoint Adventure canopy tent is set up behind them. Photo courtesy of Waypoint Adventure NC.
Photo: Preparing to get on the water.

 

A man and woman paddling in a tandem kayak on a summer day. The man in the front seat is using a mounted paddle pivot adaption. Photo courtesy of Waypoint Adventure NC
Photo: Using a mounted paddle pivot adaptation.

 

Two pairs of people in tandem kayaks and two individuals in single kayaks paddling on a summer day. Photo courtesy of Waypoint Adventure NC.

 

A group of kayakers paddling on Lake Norman. It’s a bright, sunny day and the Appalachian Mountains are prominent in the background. Photo courtesy of Waypoint Adventure NC.
Photo: A bright, sunny day on beautiful Lake Norman.

 

A group of 12 people posing for a photo together in front of a lake. They are holding a large posterboard with a blue graphic of the state of North Carolina and green waypoints stuck onto it, with the text, “Summer of Waypoint.” One member of the group is using a GRIT Freedom Chair. Photo courtesy of Waypoint Adventure NC.
Photo: All smiles after a great day on the lake at Lake Norman State Park!

This partnership is off to a great start in creating a more inclusive outdoor experience throughout our state’s beautiful park system. Check the Waypoint Adventure NC Events page to register for future events. 

All photos courtesy of Waypoint Adventure NC.

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