It’s been over five years since the students at the University of Central Florida received a BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch. Students and park visitors enjoy the accessible launch system on UCF’s campus at the Lake Claire Recreational Area. Using the launch is free for university students. It appears that the universal access launch system is used and enjoyed more now than when it was installed over five years ago.
With the popularity of kayaking and canoeing continuing to grow, and more people prioritizing health and fitness, kayaking offers a low-impact, full-body workout that is both enjoyable and engaging.
Kayaking statistics
Key statistics show a growing interest in recreational kayaking and paddling activities across the United States. According to Statista, the number of Americans who went kayaking in 2023 was almost 20 million, with flatwater kayaking being the most popular, accounting for close to 75% of kayakers who went out at least once last year.
The Outdoor Foundation’s 2021 Outdoor Participation Report states that kayaking is the fastest-growing water sport, with a 32% increase in participation over the past five years. The same report indicates that among first-time participants in outdoor activities, 17% selected kayaking as their preferred activity. Recreational kayaks are now more lightweight, durable, and easy to maneuver, making the sport more accessible for beginners. Everyone knows getting in and out of a kayak can be difficult, making launch sites that invest in BoardSafe’s Adaptive Kayak, Canoe, and Boat Launch a popular locale for all paddlers wishing to access the water.
The launch at UCF’s Lake Claire Recreational Area looks as good today as it did when it was installed in 2019. BoardSafe is often asked how our launch holds up against the elements like the hot Florida sun, hurricanes, and tropical storms.
Designed for durability
We at BoardSafe pride ourselves on the engineering behind our launch. The aluminum-welded floating dock system offers a structural design and features that make it durable and maintenance-free.
Anyone who spends time on the water—be it a lake, river, bay, or ocean—knows that no two water access sites are the same and that water levels vary. Nor do they ever remain “smooth as glass.” When unusual occurrences occur, such as storms or strong wakes from other boats, docks can be in danger of severe damage. It only makes sense that BoardSafe’s floating dock system has been designed for these scenarios and will move with fluctuations in water level, wind, and weather. BoardSafe Docks offers the safest solution.
BoardSafe floating docks and launches have proven themselves through downstream currents, as well as the rise and fall of rivers due to droughts, flooding, and other common fluctuations, and have even survived hurricane forces such as Category 2 Hurricane Sally in 2020 and Category 4 Hurricane Ian in 2022.
BoardSafe’s specialty services
Part of BoardSafe’s specialty services is to evaluate the use of your docks, foot traffic, marina traffic, and the placement of the docking system on land. BoardSafe can design a floating dock system to meet your usage requirements by running calculations based on dock size, usage, and water levels at 100-foot flood stage and mean low water to maximize the location and placement of the foundation, stability of the dock, length and location of the gangway, and the size, number, and placement of flotation components.
Here are some links that showcase the installation and use of BoardSafe floating docks and launches in bays, marshes, and harbors:
- Cooper River Park, NJ, Installs Gangway and Rowing Dock
- ADA Accessible Kayak Boat Launch Installed at 5 Rivers State Park in Alabama
- Lovejoy Wharf in Boston, MA, Enjoys Renaissance
- BoardSafe Kayak Launch Survives Hurricane Sally
For more information on how we can help you design your water access point for safety and inclusion, contact us at BoardSafeDocks.com or 610-899-0286.