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From: James Farrelly <jfarrelly5_at_comcast.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:58:45 -0500
A question from a good friend who is not a Paddlewise member. I would
like to share any responses with him so if this needs to be back
channeled to fit list policy that works too.

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "tom cofer" <tcofer_at_atlantic.net>
> Date: December 10, 2007 5:49:40 PM EST
> To: "Jim Farrelly" <jfarrelly5_at_comcast.net>
>
> Hey........A couple I know here in Aiken .....are interested in
> paddling.....only problem.....he only has one arm....!!!!!!!!  You
> ever come across a one-armed paddler ???????  How would he do
> that......the only thing that comes to mind...is the peddle kayak
> made by Hobie....I have 'peddled' one......they go quite
> nicely...............So.....any ideas ????????
> T`

Jim et al
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From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:27:31 -0800
Hi Jim,

The first thing to my mind was a double. The next was a question: how much
of an arm does he have left? If he has enough arm he could possibly use a
canoe paddle with a brace attachment to push against.

Also, w/w kayakers are using paddle mitts. They look a little hokey but I've
watched a few guys in playboats using them and they were better on a wave
with a mitt than I am with a paddle. But that might not be saying much.
Anyway, one mitt and a rudder might work.

For a more far-out thought, how about a brace that fits over the shoulders
with a paddle attached to a swivel in the middle. It would take a lot of
rotation but we're all supposed to be doing that anyway.

That's the extent of my ideas tonight. I think I'll go lay down. :P

Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA

On Dec 10, 2007 4:58 PM, James Farrelly <jfarrelly5_at_comcast.net> wrote:

> A question from a good friend who is not a Paddlewise member. I would
> like to share any responses with him so if this needs to be back
> channeled to fit list policy that works too.
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> > From: "tom cofer" <tcofer_at_atlantic.net>
> > Date: December 10, 2007 5:49:40 PM EST
> > To: "Jim Farrelly" <jfarrelly5_at_comcast.net>
> >
> > Hey........A couple I know here in Aiken .....are interested in
> > paddling.....only problem.....he only has one arm....!!!!!!!!  You
> > ever come across a one-armed paddler ???????  How would he do
> > that......the only thing that comes to mind...is the peddle kayak
> > made by Hobie....I have 'peddled' one......they go quite
> > nicely...............So.....any ideas ????????
> > T`
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From: Gary J. MacDonald <garyj_at_rogers.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:44:47 -0500
Ontario Rec. C'ing Assn has a manual for adaptive paddling.

I have seen some kind of attachment that let a hook snap onto the top of 
the paddle and the person could use their intact hand on the bottom.

GaryJ

James Farrelly wrote:
> A question from a good friend who is not a Paddlewise member. I would
> like to share any responses with him so if this needs to be back
> channeled to fit list policy that works too.
>
> Begin forwarded message
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From: Jeff Bingham <kayakjef_at_bellsouth.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:52:29 -0500
Jim,
Just read this story last night. Maybe there something here that can help.

http://www.rd.com/content/one-armed-kayaker/

Jeff
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From: Steve Cramer <cramersec_at_charter.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 09:59:18 -0500
He's certainly in good company. John Wesley Powell explored the Grand 
Canyon with only one arm. And one-armed Charlie Patton was an early 
canoe paddler on the Class III-IV (back then) Nantahala.

This is question for Janet Zeller of the ACA.

Steve

James Farrelly wrote:
> A question from a good friend who is not a Paddlewise member. I would
> like to share any responses with him so if this needs to be back
> channeled to fit list policy that works too.
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
>> From: "tom cofer" <tcofer_at_atlantic.net>
>> Date: December 10, 2007 5:49:40 PM EST
>> To: "Jim Farrelly" <jfarrelly5_at_comcast.net>
>>
>> Hey........A couple I know here in Aiken .....are interested in
>> paddling.....only problem.....he only has one arm....!!!!!!!!  You
>> ever come across a one-armed paddler ???????  How would he do
>> that......the only thing that comes to mind...is the peddle kayak
>> made by Hobie....I have 'peddled' one......they go quite
>> nicely...............So.....any ideas ????????
>> T`
> 
> Jim et al


-- 
Steve Cramer
Athens, GA
http://www.savvypaddler.com
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From: Jackie Myers <jackie_at_muddypuppies.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:27:05 -0800
Try this (a simple yet clever $30 attachment)....

http://kayakfishingstuff.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ArmPaddler&Category_Code=pdl

YouTube video of the above attachment demo here (I don't know if this 
will help as my computer is too slow to view the video)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atdF3_6_oXk


Jackie


James Farrelly wrote:

>A question from a good friend who is not a Paddlewise member. I would
>like to share any responses with him so if this needs to be back
>channeled to fit list policy that works too.
>
>Begin forwarded message:
>
>  
>
>>From: "tom cofer" <tcofer_at_atlantic.net>
>>Date: December 10, 2007 5:49:40 PM EST
>>To: "Jim Farrelly" <jfarrelly5_at_comcast.net>
>>
>>Hey........A couple I know here in Aiken .....are interested in
>>paddling.....only problem.....he only has one arm....!!!!!!!!  You
>>ever come across a one-armed paddler ???????  How would he do
>>that......the only thing that comes to mind...is the peddle kayak
>>made by Hobie....I have 'peddled' one......they go quite
>>nicely...............So.....any ideas ????????
***************************************************************************
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From: Robert Livingston <bearboat2_at_comcast.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:40:03 -0800
There is an article in the recent Paddler magazine about a one armed  
paddler going down the grand canyon with some kind of paddle holding  
device...
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From: Jackie Myers <jackie_at_muddypuppies.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:08:44 -0800
another link with instructions on how to make a one-handed kayak paddle 
(a pdf file with multiple design topics, the design for the paddle is on 
pages 34 and 35 and looks very interesting as well as seeming to be a 
better design with less stress on the wrist and forearm)

http://nsf-pad.bme.uconn.edu/2002/UMassAmherst.pdf


>>Hey........A couple I know here in Aiken .....are interested in
>>paddling.....only problem.....he only has one arm....!!!!!!!!  You
>>ever come across a one-armed paddler ???????  How would he do
>>that......the only thing that comes to mind...is the peddle kayak
>>made by Hobie....I have 'peddled' one......they go quite
>>nicely...............So.....any ideas ????????
***************************************************************************
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From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:39:35 -0800
Nice link. This looks relatively easy to make too. Well done. :)

Craig Jungers
Frozen in in Moses Lake, WA

On Dec 11, 2007 4:08 PM, Jackie Myers <jackie_at_muddypuppies.com> wrote:

> another link with instructions on how to make a one-handed kayak paddle
> (a pdf file with multiple design topics, the design for the paddle is on
> pages 34 and 35 and looks very interesting as well as seeming to be a
> better design with less stress on the wrist and forearm)
>
> http://nsf-pad.bme.uconn.edu/2002/UMassAmherst.pdf
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From: Martin, Jack <martin.jack_at_solute.us>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:56:40 -0700
Had occasion to watch a group of whitewater playboaters having fun on a
mean stretch of the Chattooga River (South Carolina) a few years ago.
One of the most aggressive paddlers had an interesting style -- and,
after a few minutes watching him from 100 meters off in calmer water, I
found that his left arm was a prosthetic device with what could only be
called a closed oarlock where his left hand would otherwise be.  He was
working some nasty hydraulics as well as or better than his friends.

FWIW.

Joq


>>Hey........A couple I know here in Aiken .....are interested in 
>>paddling.....only problem.....he only has one arm....!!!!!!!!  You 
>>ever come across a one-armed paddler ???????  How would he do 
>>that......the only thing that comes to mind...is the peddle kayak made

>>by Hobie....I have 'peddled' one......they go quite 
>>nicely...............So.....any ideas ????????
***************************************************************************
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From: James Farrelly <jfarrelly5_at_comcast.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:46:28 -0500
More great ideas from fellow Paddlewisers have been pouring into my  
in box. Again I thank you. I chatted with my friend on the phone and  
it appears he wants his friend to demo a Hobie pedal kayak. There are  
a lot of choices in the Hobie line. I hadnt realized just how many to  
include some sail capable models.

http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/index.html

Jim et al
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From: L P <loupe1_at_yahoo.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:08:33 -0800 (PST)
http://www.wavelengthmagazine.com/2006/jj06rainbow.php
   
  See the above link. I've met and worked with Bruce Fuoco to attach his outrigger set-up to some kayaks for a couple of adaptive paddling outifts here in BC.
   
  His stuff isn't cheap but it is well built and functional. He builds his stuff in Nanaimo, BC.
   
  Regards,
  Lou

       
---------------------------------
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From: <Goffma_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:27:11 EST
>There are  
>a lot of choices in the Hobie line. I hadnt  realized just how many to  
>include some sail capable  models.

Let me know if you want feedback on any of them.  We currently own  the 
original Mirage, the Outfitter and the new 16' Adventure.  They are all  well-built 
machines but we have had a few problems with busted rudders, busted  
flippers, busted rudder cables and so forth.  We enjoy them a lot and have  subjected 
them to a fair amount of abuse.  The point is, they have a lot of  moving 
parts and you need to bring a pretty extensive repair kit with you if you  are 
going any distance.  A backup mode of propulsion (paddle) is a really  good idea 
so your friend might want to look into those other adaptive paddle  ideas as 
well.  You also need some means of paddling into shore and in  rocky areas 
where you might not want to risk your rudder or your flippers.   There also is no 
reverse gear, so again, you need a paddle occasionally.   All that being said, 
they are great fun to use and I recommend them  highly.  
 
Mark Goff
Hampden, Maine
 
PS.  I believe most of the models have the rudder controls on the  right-hand 
side.  I don't know if that is a problem or if they make a  mirror-image 
version for lefties.




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From: Joe P. <jpylka_at_earthlink.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:17:06 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
-----Original Message-----
>PS.  I believe most of the models have the rudder controls on the  right-hand 
>side.  I don't know if that is a problem or if they make a  mirror-image 
>version for lefties.
>>**************************************

I happen to know a one-armed kayaker here in NJ who uses that model Hobie.  It's his right arm that's missing and he had an extension welded to the rudder control which goes across his body so he can use his left hand for it.  Though he carries a paddle on board, I've never seen him use it.
     One additional thought;  without a paddle how does one brace?

Joe P.
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From: <Goffma_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] One armed paddler
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 04:57:48 EST
In a message dated 12/13/2007 12:25:04 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
jpylka_at_earthlink.net writes:

<snip>
> Though he carries a paddle on board, I've never seen him use  it.
> One additional thought;  without a paddle how does one  brace?

Well, you really don't.  The Hobies are basically  sit-on-tops with a very 
broad beam at the deck level.  They have a narrower  rounded hull underneath.  
The broad beam acts sort of like sponsons when  the boat is edged.  They can be 
capsized however, as we have demonstrated  many times while horsing around.  
It usually occurs when you are going full  speed and then throw it into a 
tight turn.  Centrifugal force or over  compensation can put you into a roll 
situation.  Breaking waves I'm sure  could also do the trick.  However, under 
normal use in calm to choppy  conditions, they are fine.  If you want more 
stability, some of the models  can be outfitted with one or two outriggers.
 
In response to the question on the vulnerability of the flippers, yes  they 
can be folded while underway.  By holding your legs in a certain  position (one 
leg fully extended, the other fully retracted) the flippers are  placed as 
close to flat against the hull as they can get.  This gives you  your minimum 
draft (maximum clearance).  It is also possible, though  awkward, to yank out 
the entire flipper mechanism while on the water.  I  wouldn't recommend this 
normally as it would be very easy to drop the whole $500  device overboard and 
then you would be up the proverbial creek without a  flipper!
 
Mark Goff





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