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Test Drive Day with a Difference 18th January 2014

05 Feb 2014

On our kayak test drive days, the on water experience involves

  • setting up your Hobie Kayak
  • using the cart correctly 
  • correct fitting of your life jacket
  • setting up your seat for comfort
  • adjusting the pedal length
  • the optimum use of the unique Mirage Drive Pedal system
  • operating the twist and stow rudder system
  • getting in and out of your kayak
  • launching and retrieving your kayak
  • stability...moving around in your kayak (standing up where applicable)
  • loading options for transport

But today, Scott from Neilborough has added another complexity...he is a paraplegic. Over the phone we discuss paddle options and consider the Quest 11 and 13 because you add a rudder system. (You idiot David...the rudder system is foot controlled!) Then we consider the option of using a Mirage Drive Kayak, the rudder is hand operated and using the Mirage Drive to increase stability. (similar to sailing...the pedals in the central postion to point downwards and act as a daggerboard). I select the Outback and Revolution 13 to put on the water.

The whole family is here to enjoy the experience in the Hobie Kayaks. The weather is typical Sth Gippsland as you can see from the photos but are great conditions to test out a kayak.

The family assists in getting the wheelchair to the beach to get into the kayak. Scott wants no help and gets himself from the chair into the kayak. We paddle into a stiff breeze and tide. These are tough conditions. On the water, Scott is comfortable and stable but the paddling is becoming hard. I suggest he tries to use the drive with his hands. It works...he is making good ground into the tide and wind. But the postion he needs to be in is not comfortable. Discussion starts about adding hand braces to operate the Mirage Drive. Scott gets back on land and now the rest of the family enjoys some time on the water.

Back at the shop we dicuss options Scott and the family. And Outfitter is selected for Scott and the family to do a bit of fishing and enjoy the water and a Revolution 13 for Scott to use for fitness and recreation.

Well done Scott and now Rod Bending's has to be up to the challenge to make his on water hand pedalling an easy and enjoyable experience as pedalling with our feet.

FOOTNOTE: We have had a lot of discussion about the hand braces and done many drawings. We will hopefully have a functional prototype in a couple of weeks.

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