kiting paraplegic

HoodRat · Since 30 Mar 2008 199 Posts Stoked

So my girlfriend's brother is a paraplegic and wants to kite. Does anyone know where you can get a board made for people with non-functioning legs. Perhaps a knee board that holds down some floppy legs and a seat. post your suggestions.

Chooch · Mon Jul 19, 10 9:30 pm

Link

Had three lesson with a guy this year with legs paralized below his knees. Guy was totally stoked and charged it. He got a few short board starts but the lack of lower leg controll made it really hard to stay up. He was looking into something likke the video as well. He wants to use his sit ski for snowkiting this winter.

forrest · Mon Jul 19, 10 9:32 pm

There are a few youtube videos, this looks promising.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu3rmOCMtE4

surfncap · Since 06 Mar 2007 78 Posts NE

I thought para skiers and chairs were amazing, chair in video and of course kiter beyond words

gorgebob · Since 25 Jun 2007 259 Posts Portland, OR Shop Owner

That is awesome! I wonder if he had buggy training first?

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

Thought about this some...

Cool and inspiring video. Nice find Forrest.
Looks like the board could use some volume.
Might suggest adapting a Surfboard or Kayak maybe?
Just need to mount a chair.
My stick on inserts could facilitate that.
I'd be happy provide those and what ever else I can.

Does your friend feel comfortable in the water?
Can he fly a trainer? Buggy is a good idea.
first step in the water would be a downwind body drag?
no need for a board for that and still a thrill.

forrest · Tue Jul 20, 10 9:57 am

That's a great idea Hein, and maybe Chooch would be down to teach a lesson since he seems to have some experience.

The person in question is HoodRat's girlfriend's brother.

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

That's pretty cool ..

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 204 Posts Stoked

brass · Since 15 Jul 2006 152 Posts Stoked

Hood rat thanks for posting about this. I have been working up at Hood with the US Adaptive Team the last couple of weeks and I have been flying trainer kites with one of the sit skiers. We have been doing some downwinder wheelchair rides at the field at the marina and he has been killing it. I am a bit unsure about where to go with it from here but the video Chooch posted shows that aside from the usual bumps and bruises experienced by able-bodied riders there should be few problems.

We have been trying to brainstorm about what type of board to use and what sort of attachment methods we would have to use. What is in the video is not at all what I had thought up but looks doable. I was thinking something that would put the rider facing the "toe side" rail, more like the way we all ride a twin tip. I agree with Hein though it looks like the board needs more volume.

We are also struggling with a harness set up as this guy has no legs and not much of a pelvis. Any thoughts on this would be helpful.

I have seen a guy with one leg in the DR sitting on a surfboard but it looked as though he had a tough time going up wind. At least he got more chicks for going unstrapped.

I hope some other ideas come out of this post.

HoodRat · Since 30 Mar 2008 199 Posts Stoked

so are there any specific brands ? a website? as much as I enjoy your videos and background information, i need more content.
how about this thing http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/7160/paraplegics-kite-board-soul-by-etay-amir.html

Chooch · Tue Jul 20, 10 5:04 pm

coverleft · Since 20 Jul 2010 2 Posts New Member

Ok I am the hoodrats brother. To answer a few questions, I kayak and SCUBA so I am very comfortable being in the water. I have flown power kites before but none with the bar set up but I get the gist of controlling a kite so I am sure it wouldn't take me too long to figure it out. I have very good strength in my quads and hip flexors, it is my glutes hamies and lower legs that aren't so good. I do have great core strength though.

The last link that was posted to that board looks good but it may have one flaw being that the feet are positioned directly to the board. If you read how the guy from the video set up his board it has the feet resting on the frame which is elevated off of the board and the frame has a shock absorber mounted to it like in the "sitskis". According to french guy from the first video he mentioned he did this to prevent fractures in the legs. I am not sure if he broke his leg in his first prototype but when you are a paraplegic and dont get up on your legs much you can lose bone density ie... making them weaker.

Here is the link to the french dudes website.

http://www.handikite.fr/1.html

If you have google chrome you can translate the website but he has good picks of how he came to his latest model. It looks as if he took the seat of a sit ski but fabricated his own frame to attach to a wake or kite board.

Anyway got to run, but I look forward to everyones input and help.

typhoon · Since 02 Sep 2009 26 Posts Portland

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

coverleft · Since 20 Jul 2010 2 Posts New Member

Oops I thought hoodrat was my sister... my bad my sisters boyfriend.

Whats a wheelchair downwinder?

To Hein or anyone else posting - Are you in the Hood River area? I am going to be there this weekend if anyone would like to discuss this further in person.

forrest · Wed Jul 21, 10 8:55 am

Hey Coverleft, sent you an email. We should get you together with Hein this weekend.