With 35 years experience in developing inclusive outdoor activities, I'm keen to provide support, advice to make paddleboarding more inclusive. I'm Will Behenna, the founder of the Inclusive Paddleboarding project. and 30 years ago I broke my back in a cycling accident where I grew up in Cornwall. However this didn’t damage my spirit of adventure and three years after my accident I was back kayaki
ng. Although my spinal injury left me paralysed from the chest down and a full time wheelchair user, I have paddled on lakes, canals, rivers and seas and enjoyed every moment. Due to my injury I’ve had to adapt each kayak I paddled, carving backrests from foam blocks to provide more structured postural support and using airbags as footrests which is how the SKIP project came about. Following my accident, as I have no trunk muscles or use of my legs, I’ve always been quite wobbly on moving water in a Kayak. Whilst I felt comfortable and safe Paddling in calm weather, I became increasingly frustrated with the fact that I couldn’t carry a Kayak, its instability in the water and the enormous effort required getting back in if I capsized. Fortunately, a new Paddling journey began for me when PADDLE BOARDS came out, as I realised they offered a real opportunity to get back to Paddling independently. I purchased a Paddle Board last year and started looking for a seating system. Trawling the Internet, all I could find were thin fabric seats which provided limited lateral/back support, which I knew wouldn’t work for me. So welcome to SKIPP, originally created from my kitchen table for my own benefit. Now it is time to share my foam products with others who may have a range of: Neuromuscular conditions or Physical impairments. I am now a regular and proud Paddle Boarder around my home in Dorset and often asked where people can purchase a seat like mine.
