$20 (Fully Booked)
Offered in collaboration with Waypoint Adventure
Kayaking will be from 3:00 am until 5:30 pm.
We will not be providing shuttle transportation to this event. If you need transportation call Kristin at 828-778-2140 to discuss pick-up options.
Program description:
This outdoor kayaking program is accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities. Enjoy the fun and serenity of Lake James State Park all while being part of a supportive community. You can participate thanks to a variety of adaptive kayaking equipment and instruction designed to meet your individual needs. Our highly trained staff will instruct, support, and encourage you as you meet new people and learn new skills or further develop your existing ones.
Lake James is a large lake with a sandy beach for the kayak launch, accessible via a paved pathway. We will be accessing the park through the Lake James State Park Catawba River access. There is a large paved, accessible parking lot along with accessible bathrooms. The parking lot is asphalt and the beach near the water is sand. There is a wide paved sidewalk that goes through the top of the sandy beach. A variety of wildlife can be seen at Lake James including bald eagles, otters, beavers and more than 11 species of fish.
Instructors: Ryan Carlson, Adam Combs, Shelby Hampton of Waypoint Adventure.
Bathrooms: There are accessible bathrooms near the boat launch and parking area.
What to bring:
Water bottle
Sandals with a heel strap or sneakers that you don't mind getting wet
Sunglasses with a strap
Sunscreen
Hat
Snacks
Please check out the kayaking program eligibility requirements and call us to begin the intake process so we can make sure you have the right support for this event!
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: If an individual currently has or has had a history of any of the following medical conditions, they might not be able to safely participate in Waypoint Adventure programming. All decisions regarding participation are left up to the judgment of Waypoint Adventure staff. If something in this list will prevent you or your participant from engaging in a program, please talk with WPA staff for all final decisions before ruling yourself or someone out.
1. A history of heart-attacks, within the six months before participation, or with current symptoms.
2. Abnormal heart rhythms that are symptomatic.
3. Prescription for warfarin (or any blood thinners) within 2 months of the program.
4. Lung problems that are not under control, i.e., uncontrolled asthma or poorly controlled chronic pulmonary infections.
5. Seizure disorder that is not controlled by medication.
6. Uncontrolled asthma.
7. Insulin-dependent Diabetics with recurrent hospitalizations for low blood sugar.
8. Active Anorexia Nervosa/Active Bulimia, unless cleared by a doctor.
9. Spinal surgery within six months before program.
10. Hospitalization within two weeks of program (assessment made on an individual basis).
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the medical requirements listed above, participants should meet the following general program eligibility requirements:
• Are not exhibiting symptoms of a contagious illness or disease. If harboring a transmittable disease spread by coughing or sneezing, please refrain from participating and passing illness along to others.
• Able to manage personal care and medications independently or with the assistance of a companion who accompanies the participant.
▪ Personal care is determined by being able to perform tasks of daily living. These tasks include, but are not limited to restroom use, dressing, and eating.
For Adults: If you are unable to manage medications, or will not have a companion to assist you, written consent for staff to provide medication must be submitted.
• Able to follow activity and instructions, heed safety requirements, and make their needs known during a program.
• Able to refrain from violent or other behavior that pose a risk to others including:
▪ Striking, hitting, kicking, and biting
▪ Sexual aggression
▪ Verbal aggression
▪ Fire starting, tampering with safety equipment, destruction, or theft of property.
▪ Drug/ alcohol use
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the medical requirements and the general program eligibility requirements listed above, participants should meet the following requirements for the program type they are planning to participate in:
Kayaking & Canoeing
• Breathe independently (i.e. not require medical devices to sustain breathing)
• Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water
• Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion and BREA staff.
• Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
• Able to wear a Personal Flotation Device (Life Jacket)
For the following, please contact BREA and Waypoint staff if you are unable or unsure if you can meet these requirements. Reach out to discuss before ruling out participation.
o Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket.
o Get in/out or on/off paddle craft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance. o Independently get out and from under a capsized paddle craft
o Re-enter or re-mount the paddle craft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance.
**Medical & Release of Liability forms for Waypoint Adventure must be turned in one week prior to a program**
