Where should I take my handicapped friend in my ducky?

Hi

A good/adventurous friend is interested in whitewater and is trying to get me to take him paddling. However, he doesn't have the use of his legs and I worry about rocks and strainers and things like that. Any suggestions on a run that's interesting enough to keep him happy but tame enough to keep him safe? I'm an experienced paddler, and I feel I can keep him in the boat even in whitewater, but you never know what can happen. He lives in the Logan area and I live in Draper.

I did some internet surfing on the subject and it sounds like a lake would be the wiser choice. However, he's an adventurous guy and has expressed a lack of interest in anything that's too boring. Any suggestions on where I can take him in the Ogdon or Logan area that might satisfy his thirst for adventure and also satisfy my desire to keep him safe?

Thanks in advance : )

Chuck

If a blind person can kayak the Grand Canyon then the possibilities are endless.

check out a Bellyak, no leg use needed and sounds like it would really help him get after it.

http://bellyak.com/

My shop, GEAR:30, has a demo Bellyak FYI.



As for where to take him, I'd suggest Crystal Wave (behind walmart at Wall and 20th street in Ogden). Its super tame and would give him a good taste of whitewater without many of the issues a noob would be concerned with. I'd be happy to meet you there with the Bellyak for him to try.

Give me at call. I have a buddy that a friends with a guy that is paralyzed from the waist down. He is able to kayak class V. It is far from the norm, but it prove that it is possible. Also a guy named slim ray from the south east was paralyzed on a stout rapid called sunshine. He is now a rec kayaker so the option for kayaking is not off the table. My number is 801-678-9130

Causey Reservoir for lake paddling; no motorboats, super-scenic cliffed drainages.
Then Vivian Park below Deer Creek res: super-scenic class II-, with views of Mt Timpanogos. Its still running at 522.
Then Hen-Tag.
Cheers
Bill

Thanks for the tips/ideas and encouragement guys. I'll chat with him and see what he's comfortable with : )

If it's his first time paddling, I would still do a lake. And then go from there. If he is in logan, that's perfect, there's 3 nice small dams in logan canyon. They're all low right now, so fortunately, they're fairly shallow now, with picnic areas around and stuff... beautiful too!!

Also, just north of logan about an hour is the Onida Narrows. A very popular place for the logan/preston area. It is really secluded, in some beautiful mountains, and BEST of all... has BOTH a lake and a mellow river... and to top that off... it ALSO has... some hot springs you can relax at (and they allow you to bring in your own alcohol!).

Then below the dam, the river is one of the most mellow rivers I know of. That's why it is so popular... people come from all over to float it in tubes. There are some small rapids... and you can hitch hike the shuttle very easily - with all the tubers, and do multiple runs in a day. The whole river is scoutable, and you can pull out at almost any point, or choose the longer version, and float out of the canyon and into the farm land to the highway for a good 3-4 hour float with some better rapids.

This time of year, it is probably only about 2-3 feet deep, and not a fast current either, but fun enough to keep most beginners entertained for their first few times boating.

If you're interested, google "onida narrows, franklin, idaho" and click maps... to get an idea of where it is.

To get there, drive north of logan (highway 91) till you hit preston, go through preston (about a mile or so), and stay right, the road will fork (highway 36/34), it will go over a hill and take the next right on highway 36, then a few miles in look for a small road on your left with a small "Onida Narrows" sign... that's it. If you miss that road, and cross the river (while on highway 36) you've gone too far... Just follow the river up the canyon, and you'll find it all from there. The lake is up about 20 minutes, but you'll be next to the river the whole time.

The hot springs (about $8/person) are at the very back of the canyon - and right next to the lake.

Also there's free camping next to the river - below the dam, or paid camping - at the lake above (about $10-15)

Oh, one thing... if you're drinking, the cops have been known to watch whos drinking on the river, and then wait to see who drives at the bottom, so... STAY LEGIT.

Anyway, I hope that helps. Good luck and props for what you're doin.

CHEERS

If you can bring your friend down here I have a 13 foot raft and would be more than happy to take both of you down the Provo below Deer Creek. It is class I and II water and he should be more secure in a raft rather than a kayak.

Mike