Being out on the water is my happy place and it ’ s just that sense of absolute freedom .” – Will Behenna
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He said without a fin the paddleboard functions like a kayak , but having one in place means paddling is more efficient . Therefore he has created a prototype fin that slides on to the back of the board once he gets into deeper water .
Will still has plenty of testing to do to make sure the board is safe to venture out solo .
“ I ’ ve always dreamed of just being able to kind of go out on the water on my own ,” he said .
“ That would be the greatest day . It should be next year and it will be freaking awesome .”
Will has connected with
Ripple Rebels , who are doing great work helping everyone experience the physical and mental health benefits of Stand Up Paddleboarding .
Prototype including the strapping , along with wheels to transport the board to the water
Will would love to establish a group who want to promote Seated Inclusive Paddleboarding . He believes it has changed his life and it could for other people too .
He said : “ They ’ ve been really helpful , but I ’ m now at that point of wanting to start doing some promotion to look at making people more aware [ of my prototypes ].”
Will has also been in touch with
Access Adventures who deliver life-changing adaptive sports and activities . However , despite their invaluable help , they haven ’ t got anything like what Will has been building .
“ I went out the other day and it was just breathtaking for me ,” he said .
“ Being out in the water is my happy place and it ’ s just that sense of absolute freedom .
“ I feel so much safer on a paddle board than I do a kayak because you ’ ve literally got to grab hold of the board and start rocking it as hard as you can to go over .”
Will transferring on to his board
Will in his Seating inclusive paddleboarding prototype seat
He wants to develop the products further so they can be more accessible to more people and needs help in producing guidelines for safety .
Canoe Focus Early Spring 2023