Adaptive Water Sports
Our Mission
TA – Adaptive Water Sports (TA-AWS) exists to support persons of ALL ages and abilities by providing access, instruction, programs and trips to (fresh water fly fishing, salt water fly fishing, canoeing, whitewater kayaking, kayak touring/sea kayaking, SUP, sailing, waterskiing).
Our Commitment
Recognizing the important therapeutic benefits of recreating and spending time on the water, TA – Adaptive Water Sports (TA-AWS) provides leadership, programs and specialty therapeutic services to educate, to challenge, and to inspire our clients to improve their fitness and overall quality of life through active participation in a variety of water sport activities.
What differentiates TA – Adaptive Water Sports (TA-AWS) from other programs is: (1) our diverse experience; and (2) our innovative approach to instruction and program development.
Our History
Therapeutic Adventures, Inc. has developed a unique and integrative approach to instruction using: our IndependencePlus Model, our adaptive Circle of Courage model, and our Adaptive Outdoor Skills Mastery System. Through our unique approach to teaching, coaching, guiding and mentoring, we embolden our adaptive students/clients to set goals and to strive for functional independence. Our belief that ALL persons learn and benefit by being provided with opportunities to develop self-awareness, self- confidence, and self-reliance – has provided Therapeutic Adventures, Inc. with a proven framework for success. TA supports individuals and families, helping them to make positive lifestyle choices in the environments where adaptive sports and outdoor adventure activities are offered and enjoyed.
Therapeutic Adventures, Inc. offers several different options with our Adaptive Water Sports programs. You may schedule single day or custom multi-day programs.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
**Please check out the Essential Eligibility Criteria for participation requirements in our Participant Resources.
TA – Adaptive Water Sports – Ambulatory
Instructional progressions are adapted to address the needs of those individuals who have the torso, upper extremity and lower extremity strength to support, to balance, and to coordinate movements while standing upright. Generally these individuals ambulate (walk) with minimal to moderate assistance or independently. These individuals may have one or more of the following: motor/sensory impairments, range of motion (ROM) limitations, or motor planning deficits in one or more limbs – either upper extremities or lower extremities or on one side of the body (hemiplegic). These individuals may also, from time to time, use prosthetic or orthotic devices and/or assistive aides such as (cane{s}, forearm crutches, or a walker, etc.) A partial list of ambulatory individuals who may use our TA – Adaptive Water Sports progressions includes: persons with physical and developmental disabilities, stroke (CVA), traumatic brain injury (TBI), upper extremity limb deficiency/amputees, lower extremity limb deficiency/ amputees, mild cerebral palsy (CP), multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic health impairments (diabetes, cancer, etc.) blind/visually impaired, deaf/hearing impaired, etc.
TA – Adaptive Water Sports – Wheelchair Users
Instructional progressions are adapted to address the needs of those individuals (a) who use a wheelchair as their primary means of mobility, and/or those (b) who fatigue and may require periodic use of a wheelchair split with some standing/walking. These individuals may have one or more of the following: (a) strong upper extremities, (b) impaired upper extremities, (c) impaired lower extremities, (d) good torso/trunk balance, (d) impaired torso/trunk balance, (e) within normal limits (wnl) for motor/sensory, range of motion (ROM) and motor planning, (f) deficits in motor/sensory, range of motion (ROM) and motor planning in one or more limbs – either upper extremities or lower extremities or on one side of the body (hemiplegic). A partial list of wheelchair users who may use our TA – Adaptive Water Sports progressions includes: persons with lower extremity amputations, spinal cord injury (paraplegic), stroke (CVA), traumatic brain injury (TBI), spina bifida, cerebral palsy (CP), multiple sclerosis (MS), friedericks ataxia, etc.
TA – Adaptive Water Sports – Blind/ Visually Impaired, Deaf/Hearing Impaired
Instruction and Guiding progressions in Adaptive Water Sports utilize a variety communications techniques, assistive technology and instruction/guiding to help the individual become aware of their ever-changing environmental surroundings. In addition to orienting the individual to their environment, guiding techniques assist persons to achieve functional independence through the use of verbal, auditory, tactile and proprioceptive cues. Throughout the course of this unique partnership between the guide and blind/visually impaired client or guide and deaf/hearing impaired, all efforts must focus on developing a strong trusting relationship with a foundation that includes mutual respect, safety, fun, and common goals.
Watercolor by Barb Wallace
Adaptive Fly Fishing Programs
Definition: Bug SlingerTM Warriors
bug • sling • er
Noun
1. A person who finds solace on the water (freshwater or saltwater), fly fishing for that special catch that eludes us all.
war • ri • or
Noun
1. Warriors are men or women (youth, teens, adults & seniors) that are fearless, strong, brave fighters.
2. A person who shows or has shown great vigor and courage while engaged in battle.
Our Mission
Bug SlingerTM Warriors (BSW) exists to support persons of ALL ages and abilities by providing quality adaptive fly fishing instruction and adaptive guide services.
~ Physical and Developmental Disabilities
~ Disabled Heroes – Warfighters, Veterans, 1st Responders and their families ~ Women Cancer Survivors
~ Chronic, Terminal Health Conditions and Other Complex Medical Needs
Our Commitment
Recognizing the important therapeutic benefits of fly fishing, we provide support, leadership, instructional programs, adaptive guide services, special camps, and therapeutic retreats to educate, to challenge, and to inspire Bug SlingerTM Warriors. What differentiates Bug SlingerTM Warriors (BSW) from other programs is: (1) our unparalleled experience serving individuals with a wide diversity of disabilities; (2) our broad scope of educational and rehabilitation – programs~projects~events; (3) our guiding core values and operational ethics; and (4) our commitment to safety and service.
Our History
For more than 15 years, Therapeutic Adventures (TA) in partnership with Thomas Jefferson Trout Unlimited (TJTU) have been serving Bug SlingerTM Warriors to provide top notch Fresh Water Fly Fishing experiences. Our home water is a special regulations section of the Moormans River located in the Moorman’s River Trout Management Area (MRTMA) managed by Thomas Jefferson Trout Unlimited.
In late November or early December we offer our annual ADAPTIVE ANGLERS ON THE FLY – Fly fishing Camp for Disabled. This is a co-ed multi-generational weekend event. We are known for quality fly fishing instruction and adaptive guide services, aquatic entomology, fly tying, music, and amazing fireside home cooked meals. We also have a reputation for our gourmet soups, and chili recipes, and a variety of wonderful desserts. Our “rustic family style slumber party” by the lodge fireplace has been a favorite for all who attend.
OPERATION FREEDOM OUTDOORS provides fly fishing instruction and adaptive guide services for our Disabled Heroes – Warfighters, Veterans, 1st Responders and their families.
SPRING FLY FLING – Fly Fishing and Therapeutic Outdoor Retreat for Women Cancer Survivors. For the past thirteen years we have offered our annual.
For the past three years we have also been partnering with Tails of the Tides – Lowcountry Fishing Charters in Charleston, SC to provide Adaptive Salt Water Fly Fishing Trips and adaptive guide services. Exploring the tidal waters of the Lowcountry is an amazing adventure.
Explore BugSlingerTM Warriors Album 1 (Freshwater)
Explore BugSlingerTM Warriors Album 2 (Freshwater)
Explore BugSlingerTM Warriors Album 3 (Saltwater)
Watercolor by Barb Wallace
Adaptive Paddle Sports Disciplines
TA – Adaptive Paddle Sports (TA-APS)
For all our adaptive paddle sports programs we follow the instructional guidelines and recommendations of the American Canoe Association (ACA).
Canoeing
Canoeing is a great outdoor activity providing individuals with freedom to paddle and explore: rivers, lakes and bays. Where you choose to paddle with Location of Comfort in an around the water is a pre-requisite. An ability to swim independently is beneficial, but not a limiting factor to enjoy this activity.
Whitewater Kayaking
Whitewater kayaking is a great outdoor activity providing individuals with freedom to paddle and explore rivers with moving water, rapids and other eco-environmental challenges. Based on water volume and flow, rapids, waves and other obstacles are constantly changing. Rapids have a rating system (Class 1 thru Class 5) based on the degree of difficulty. Comfort in an around the water is a pre- requisite. An ability to swim independently is beneficial, but not a limiting factor to enjoy this activity.
Kayak Touring & Sea Kayaking
Kayak Touring is a great outdoor activity providing individuals with freedom to paddle and explore: rivers, lakes, bays, and the ocean. Touring or paddling for long distances over open water provides a wide variety of challenges. Don’t be fooled. You may encounter a variety of challenges — calm flat waters, waves, tides, wind. Comfort in an around the water is a pre-requisite. An ability to swim independently is beneficial, but not a limiting factor to enjoy this activity.
SUP
SUP is a great alternative paddling activity providing individuals with freedom to explore: rivers, lakes, bays, and the ocean. SUP can be done standing up or in a sitting position for those who’s primary means of mobility is a wheelchair. Comfort in and around the water is a pre-requisite. An ability to swim independently is beneficial, but not a limiting factor to enjoy this activity.
Explore Adaptive Paddling Album 1
Explore Adaptive Paddling Album 2
Explore OFO – Adaptive Paddling Veterans Album 3
Watercolor by Barb Wallace
Our Mission
TA – Adaptive Sailing (TA-AS) exists to support persons of ALL ages and abilities by providing quality adaptive sailing instruction and adaptive sailing trips.
Our Commitment
Recognizing the important therapeutic benefits of sailing, TA – Adaptive Sailing (TA-AS) provides leadership, programs and specialty therapeutic services to educate, to challenge, and to inspire our clients to improve their fitness and overall quality of life through active participation in sailing. What differentiates TA – Adaptive Sailing (TA-AS) from other programs is: (1) our unparalleled experience serving individuals with a wide diversity of disabilities; (2) our broad scope of educational and rehabilitation programs ~ projects ~ events; (3) our guiding core values and operational ethics; and (4) our commitment to safety and service.
Sailing
Sailing is a challenging and exhilarating and adaptive water sport that requires participants (crew) to work together with the wind and water to achieve a common goal — moving the sailboat over the water efficiently and with the greatest speed. There definitely are many tactical decisions that must be made to achieve the desired outcomes. Sailing requires ongoing navigation, steering/turning the sailboat and making adjustments to the sails. Teamwork, problem solving and reacting to the ever-changing environmental conditions on the water make this a wonderful sport. Sailing provides individuals with freedom to explore: lakes, bays, and the ocean. Comfort in an around the water is a pre-requisite. An ability to swim independently is beneficial, but not a limiting factor to enjoy this activity.
Please contact Therapeutic Adventures, Inc. as our Adaptive Sailing programs require more planning.
Explore Adaptive Sailing Album
Explore (2018) Wounded Veterans Watersports Album
Water Skiing
Water skiing is an exciting adaptive water sports activity providing individuals with opportunities to experience the speed and exhilaration of moving over the water in/out of the wake — waves, eddies and circular movement of water, counter to a main current — formed while being pulled behind a speeding motorboat. Comfort in an around the water is a pre-requisite. An ability to swim independently is beneficial, but not a limiting factor to enjoy this activity.
Therapeutic Adventures, Inc. partners with Lake of the Woods Adaptive Watersports to offer adaptive water skiing experiences.
Explore Adaptive Waterskiing Album
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