Think about how popular canoeing and kayaking have become over the last several years. With the increase of rails to trails and greenways spreading across our country, people’s interest in connecting with nature is real. The popularity of water trails, kayaking, and canoeing is on the rise, and communities and local governments are recognizing and responding to a growing desire to connect with the outdoors. Nature enthusiasts want to recreate on the water; therefore, access to the water where everyone can participate is being looked at differently.
People enjoy traveling and sightseeing but also value close-to-home recreation spots where they can go for a quick paddle after work, or a nearby location to take their family on the weekend. Before kayak launches became popular, we had to drag our kayaks over stones and steep embankments and struggled to get our vessels into the water. We got muddy and wet, banged our shins, and tipped our kayaks when launching our vessels into the water.
With BoardSafe’s Accessible and Adaptive Launch, universal access features provide safe and easy access to the water for all who wish to get out and paddle. The launch’s universal design accommodates paddlers in wheelchairs and makes launching vessels easier for younger, older, and novice paddlers, those with physical conditions, limited mobility, and even lower body paralysis. BoardSafe’s launch offers safe and easy access for all. The innovative launch makes paddling fun and helps improve the paddling experience for all paddlers looking to access the water.
Outdoor enthusiasts rave about the brilliance of BoardSafe’s accessibility. The durability and design features of the BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch mean it can be described as the best universal access kayak launch on today’s market. One park director commented, “We had our state grant inspection yesterday and the inspector reported BoardSafe’s Launch was the best canoe/kayak launch they’ve ever seen.” Everyone knows that getting in and out of a kayak or canoe is often the most difficult part of the sport. With BoardSafe’s signature features, designed with input from a group of adaptive paddlers and professionals who support them, our innovative aluminum floating dock system has proven to be the best commercial launching system available to communities and parks looking for improved accessibility.
Research from Outdoor Industry
The economic, recreational, and environmental benefits of investing in and improving access for all are now recognized. Recent research from the Outdoor Industry reflects the sport’s surge in popularity. The Outdoor Recreation Economy Report identifies outdoor recreation as one of our nation’s largest economic sectors. According to this report, outdoor recreation generates $887 billion in consumer spending annually, 7.6 million American jobs, $65.3 billion in federal tax revenue, and $59.2 billion in state and local tax revenue.
The Economic Impact of Parks and Rivers
Parks and rivers have become powerful economic drivers for communities. Policymakers, elected officials, and parks and recreation professionals have noticed how investments improve the standard of living. There is compelling evidence of the positive impacts in the tourism, hotel, restaurant, and recreation industries. The investment in an accessible kayak launch—particularly one built of non-corroding aluminum, composite lumber, non-polluting flotation, and stainless steel—will pay dividends to communities for years to come.
Benefits of Creating More Access Points to Our Rivers
With outdoor recreation growing and being one of our largest economic contributors, creating accessible water access points will benefit local communities. Why is this true? Because people of all abilities are hooked on paddle sports. When you step into a kayak and take those first few paddle strokes, nature surrounds you. It’s easy to understand how nature’s draw pulls people to the water.
Paddling and kayak fishing have become everyone’s favorite hobbies and sought-after forms of outdoor recreation. Kayaking is an inclusive activity that offers paddlers with disabilities the opportunity to be out on the water like everyone else.
BoardSafe Is Recognized as an Industry Leader in Accessibility
BoardSafe is a leading provider of innovative access solutions specializing in designing, fabricating, and installing floating docks, gangways, pedestrian bridges, adaptive kayak launches, and accessible fishing piers that promote accessibility and inclusivity for waterfront activities.
BoardSafe is the industry expert with innovative solutions and specialized knowledge and understanding for designing floating docks, gangways, pedestrian bridges, adaptive kayak launches, and accessible fishing piers that promote accessibility and inclusivity for waterfront activities. Our projects are individualized to meet our customers’ needs and site requirements. Since no two waterfront projects are the same, we share our understanding of site requirements to ensure accessibility. Our experience and specialization are unmatched by anyone else in the marine industry.
Everyone Benefits
It’s a common misconception that an accessible kayak launch is ONLY intended for people with mobility impairments. The truth is that an accessible launch benefits the entire community and assists people of all abilities with accessing the water. Able-bodied paddlers love an accessible launch because it offers a simple and dry way to enter the water. BoardSafe’s launch also helps novice paddlers and families with young children learn how to enter a kayak and paddle safely. The accessibility features also benefit people with minor impairments, such as a bad knee or hip.
How Does the Launch Attract More Paddlers?
Nearly 20% of the U.S. population live with a form of disability, and approximately 12% live with a mobility disability. This is a sizable portion of our population who still want to enjoy recreating on the water with family and friends. This is why the features of the BoardSafe launch have such an appeal. Our universal design features will enhance your waterfront and provide access for all people who wish to get out and paddle with family and friends. Your investment in our accessible product line—built of aluminum, composite lumber, non-polluting flotation, and stainless steel—is virtually maintenance-free and will pay dividends to communities for years to come.
Contact BoardSafe Docks at 610-899-0286 for more information on your solution for inclusive access with universal design features and to learn more about the unique projects we have designed and built that no other dock builders are capable of. We meet the needs of persons with disabilities and will serve your whole community with accessible waterfront designs that everyone can appreciate.
