Landscape architects, recreation and parks managers, and other professionals who support adaptive paddling and accessibility in their communities, are working on plans to provide safe, universal water access in towns, cities, and parks across the nation.
They are responding to demands for adaptive kayak launches, also known as accessible kayak launches. These are sometimes mischaracterized as "ADA launches" (The Americans with Disabilities Act does not have guidelines for piers, gangways, floating docks, and similar marine applications). These kayak and boat launches have numerous features to assist adaptive paddlers to get in and out of the water. These special features include an aluminum gangway, tiered bench, roll cage, handrails, launch, underwater saddles, and other special features.
Adaptive kayak launches provide universal access for a wide range of people, including those living with very limiting disabilities and those who have minor mobility challenges.
BoardSafe designs, engineers, manufacturers, and installs all of their products, but some clients choose to perform the installation on their own — Specifically, organizations that have staff and experienced construction crews able to install the launches on their own. We have provided a video (below) that explains the process of mounting an angle onto the concrete bulkhead.
This metal angle is the connector between the gangway and boat slide and the fixed structure (the cement) on land, that secures the adaptive launch.
BoardSafe sells an adaptive launch kit called "Launch-in-a-Box," with all the features of a commercial adaptive kayak launch, including an aluminum gangway, tiered bench, roll cage, handrails, launch, underwater saddles, and other special features. Launch-in-a-Box is a turnkey package for clients who can assemble and install the launch on their own. Included in Launch-in-a-Box is a rectangular cement block that is buried and secured on land, then buried, to provide the anchoring for the adaptive boat launch.
The following video explains the process of mounting an angle onto the concrete bulkhead.
For more information on the Launch-in-a-Box kayak launch and customized aluminum floating docks and other adaptive kayak launch innovations, and to discuss your project, visit BoardSafeDocks.com or call (610) 899-0286.