No One Left On Shore

There’s something special about being near water. Many people talk about how calming it is to hear a river flowing or waves crashing against the shore. At the same time, water is powerful — with strong currents and waves that demand respect. That mix of peace and power is what draws us to it.

But for people with disabilities, that experience can slip away. My friend Jim often tells me he misses the simple act of putting his toes in the river, feeling the cold water wash over his feet. These days, his wheelchair can’t make it over the rocks, and even if he got close, transferring out of his chair would be almost impossible.

We all want to see, touch, and hear the water when we spend time outside. The real question is: how do we make sure that experience is possible for everyone?

Why Access is So Hard

Most lakes and rivers are designed for people on foot. Access points often include:

• Stairs or steep banks that wheelchairs can’t navigate.

• Soft sand, loose gravel, or uneven rocks that make mobility devices unstable.

• Changing water levels, especially on rivers, where yesterday’s easy path may be dangerous today.

• Equipment Challenges, Many adaptive devices aren’t waterproof, and if they get wet it can damage equipment that’s essential for daily life.

EZ dock Kayak Transfer system (photo credit from EZ Dock)

Adaptive Gear Meets Real-World Barriers

So what is there to do? One option is to rely on adaptive equipment designed for the water.

• Beach wheelchairs have large wheels designed for rolling on sand and often can go straight into the water for those who want to swim/float.

• Mobi-Mats are firm roll up walkways designed to go on sand or uneven surfaces that can allow wheelchairs, strollers, etc access to the water.

• Dock design is essential for making it easier to get on and off watercraft. Thankfully, there are several options that help paddlers of all abilities get into a kayak. One of the most impressive is the EZ Dock system, which combines a loading station, slideboard, and handrails for safe transfers. With this system, the paddler slides onto a transfer board positioned above the kayak seat. Adjustable handles help relieve pressure, the board is removed, and the paddler can safely lower into the kayak.

  A similar option is a kayak transfer bench. This bench isn’t permanently attached to the dock and doesn’t include a loading system, so it may require extra equipment and has less universal design. Finally, some docks have tiered benches that allow paddlers to move down step by step until they reach the kayak’s level.

• Specialized Equipment like adaptive kayaks with stability features and/or paddle devices allow for more people to get back out on the water. There are also many adaptions for fishing gear for one-handed users and/or different release devices.

• River access is especially challenging for many municipalities. Changing water levels and rocky banks make a one-size-fits-all solution impossible. Some of the best approaches I’ve seen include avoiding steps at access points, creating firm surfaces at kayak entry areas, and installing floating or adjustable docks with accessible fishing spots.”

Of course the purchase of this style of equipment is not covered by insurance and would be an out of pocket expense. Many land managers are working toward easing that burden by having equipment available for rent at the location. For instance, Ridgeway State Park has a beach chair and Mobi Mat available for people with disabilities to access their swimming area. They also have adaptive paddle boards available for those interested in exploring a new way to get on the water.

Photo credit from Adaptive Adventures

Programs Leading the Way

Several organizations are already making water recreation possible for more people:

• Outdoor Buddies: This is a Fort Collins nonprofit I have talked about before. They specialize in adaptive hunting and fishing, and love to get whole families involved. No matter what difficulties you have, they know how to get you on the water. If you are interested in learning more you could always attend their family days at swift ponds on the Colorado Youth Outdoors campus in east Fort Collins. They even have a floating dock designed to have the immersive experience of fly fishing on campus!

• Adaptive Adventures: This organization is based out of Denver and hosts a lot of its programs at Standley Lake and Chatfield Reservoir. If you attend their multisport days you can try out different kayaks and/or stand up paddleboards to see what works best for you. They have a variety of equipment available and have extensive experience working with people of all disabilities.

• Fort Collins Adaptive Recreation: Check out your local Parks and Rec departments as they often have programs for adaptive kayaking. The City of Fort Collins partners with organizations like Adaptive Adventures to get their community out on the Reservoir. It is a great chance to try these things out and see what works for you, often at a discounted price.

Closing the Gap

Water has a way of bringing people peace, joy, and connection. Access shouldn’t end at the shoreline. With better design, adaptive equipment, and welcoming programs, we can ensure people with disabilities don’t just watch from the sidelines — they get to be in the water, where they belong.