Eligibility Requirements

Boating is fun, but we must be safe and take precautions. Please review the following criteria. Participant(s) must able to complete all of the tasks below to be eligible to participant in the Universal Access program per DCR* & ACA** regulations.

Toileting & Dressing

Must be able to manage personal care such as dressing and toileting independently or with the assistance of a companion (friend, PCA, family member) who accompanies individual.

Equipment

Must be able to wear protective equipment properly, such as bike helmets and personal flotation devices.

Behavior

Must be able to refrain from dangerous behavior (such as aggression) to self or others.

Breathing

Must be able to breathe independently without the use of medical devices to sustain breathing.

Comfort level with water

Must be comfortable with being wet and in the water.

Personal Floatation Device (Life jacket)

Must be able and willing to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device properly.

Head Support

Must be able to hold head upright without head support.

Tolerance

Must be able to tolerate sitting in a kayak or canoe with or without modification for 30 minutes.

Sealed Mouth

Must be able to maintain a sealed mouth while underwater.

Remaining face up in water

Must be able to independently turn from face down to face up and remain face up while wearing a properly fitted personal flotation device.

Pace

Must be able and willing to paddle with the group at a designated pace (based on slowest paddlers).

Temperature

Must be able and willing to tolerate air temperatures between 60 and 95 degrees F for one hour.
Must be able and willing to tolerate water temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees for 30 minutes.

* Department of Conservation & Recreation
** American Canoe Association