Kayaking
Adaptive Kayaking Program
We provide safe flatwater kayaking for people with disabilities and their companions. We work with paddlers to find the best set up to maximize safety and independence on the water. Great for both new and experienced paddlers. With know-how and adaptive tools, we help make kayaking a great experience for everyone. Whether you want to exercise, bird watch, or just try something new, BORP Kayaking is happy to help.
Upcoming Events
April 26 & 27: Annual Skills Weekend for Staff and Volunteers. This 2-day event offers an in-depth exploration of the skills and tools of adaptive kayaking. While not required, it provides an excellent opportunity for staff and volunteers to enhance their skills and knowledge.
April 25, 2 – 6pm: Wilderness Inquiry Canoemobile! Kick off paddling season and the weekend by touring the lagoon in these extra-large North Canoes. FREE event!! Click for flyer and details. Pre-registration available at this link, though not required. Click here for screenreader friendly word doc of details.
May 4, 12 – 3 pm: Paddle Day at Aquatic Park
It is still the pre-season and we are open for phone consults and fit appointments. Kayak opportunities are announced around the 15th of each month on our email list.
For all registrations, you can use our online form, email kayak@borp.org or call/text 510-256-3533.
SAVE THESE 2025 DATES
Paddling at Aquatic Park! Sundays from 12 – 3 on 6/29, 7/13, 7/27, 8/10, 8/24, 9/7
Paddle with us!
Located at the BORP Adaptive Cycling & Kayaking Center at 80 Bolivar Dr. in Berkeley, on a one-mile long enclosed brackish lagoon in Berkeley’s Aquatic Park. Our season runs from May – October and we offer Consultations year round.
WE OFFER:
Curious about how our program works or what adaptations might serve you best? Sign up for a First Time Call and we”ll be in touch. Phone consultations are FREE. In-person Fit Appointments are included in a BORP Membership.
Fit Appointments are an opportunity to see the space, learn about our adaptive solutions, and have 1:1 time to establish the best boat and set up to meet your needs. They may take place on land or on the water and usually last about an hour. For many, a fit appointment is the first step before participating in Paddle Days. While fit appointments are not required, they are strongly recommended if adaptive kayaking is new to you, your concerns are complex, or if you’d simply like to learn more. Fit Appointments can be scheduled at any mutually agreed upon time.
Our team assists with moving boats, transfers, fit, and launch, and keeps a safety boater on the water. You enjoy paddling! Included in BORP Membership. Check our calendar for dates.
BORP Membership grants you access to these special events, though there may be additional fees and scholarships are always available. Past trips have been to Sausalito with ETC and Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline with East Bay Regional Parks District! Join our mailing list or check the calendar to know about offerings.
We can tailor a group paddle event just for you and your group, including all adaptive solutions! Available to the public and non-members. More information here.
BORP Kayaking Center Features:
- A wheelchair accessible dock with adaptive kayak launch a short distance from parking
- A number of tools to assist transferring into and out of kayaks including: a transfer slide bench, transfer chairs of varying heights, and a motorized lift
- Onsite accessible restrooms
- A fleet of stable kayaks, including pedal-kayaks
- Stabilizing outriggers
- Adaptive mitts and paddles
For more information, please contact: kayak@borp.org.
Kayaking is a safe fun activity for many people with disabilities. Click here to view the Essential Eligibility Criteria for participation.
Volunteer with us!
We have volunteer roles for people of all skill levels and abilities.
To VOLUNTEER:
1) Complete the BORP Volunteer Application
2) Sign Up to volunteer at events!
3) Join the email List to stay up to date.
What do volunteers do?
On Land Roles
- Welcome and check in
- Life jacket fit
- Moving boats and gear for set up and closing.
- Assist with boat fitting and launching as well as keeping eyes on the water.
On the Water Roles:
- Experienced paddlers can be safety boaters on the water.
- Any independent paddler can be nearby to offer assistance as needed.
- Experienced paddlers may join another individual in a tandem boat for balance and power support.
Like fixing stuff?
We can always use support to keep our fleet and equipment working well.
Group Volunteering?
At least twice a year we host a group of volunteers to do routine cleaning and organization. We’d love to host your group for a fun outdoor service day!
Volunteer training occurs once in the spring. If you are unable to attend, apprentice training is also provided throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
We typically hold two paddle days per month from May – October, as well as a few destination trips each season. We offer Fit Appointments year round. The exact schedule is announced on the kayak webpage, the BORP Calendar, and on the Kayak Email Lists.
Kayaking is by reservation only to ensure equitable access and to avoid double booking adaptive equipment. There is often a wait list. First-timers and people have who have been waitlisted in the past are given priority. Fill out the online Reservation Request Form to sign up for an Intake Call, a Fit Appointment, or any of our paddling events. You can also call: (510) 256-3533. We open sign ups for each month’s events by the 15th of the month prior. Usually by the end of the prior month, you’ll be notified with either or confirmation or wait list.
Everyone always wears life jackets – you do not need to know how to swim. All participants must be water safe: this means they can independently seal their airway and hold their head above water in the event of an unexpected tip.
BORP Kayaking primarily serves people who could not be successful (yet) at a mainstream kayak rental due to reasons of disability. If you are nondisabled or your disability doesn’t prevent you from accessing mainstream kayak options, we welcome you to join us as a volunteer, or to book a Custom Group event with us! (details on both above).
Our destination paddles are group events: we launch, paddle, and land together. Our events at Aquatic Park are supported independent kayaking. Participants are assigned “launch times” in sequence and launch individually and paddle as long as they like solo or with their companions.There is a safety boater on the water.
Yes. While most of our events are at Aquatic Park in Berkeley with our own boats and accessible dock, we hold a few destination paddles each season. Check our webpage for details.
BORP Programs rely on individual contributions as well as grants. Kayak events and Fit Appointments are included in BORP membership or a Day Pass. There may be an additional fee for specific events such as destination trips.
Sometimes. While we are lucky to have excellent volunteers to support us, we can’t guarantee we’ll always have enough staff and volunteers to provide a tandem paddle partner or shadow boat. You are always welcome to bring a companion. If you need us to provide a tandem partner or require a shadow boat, just let us know and we’ll do our best to provide one. We always have a safety boater on the water.
While we often have volunteers available for tandem paddling, it is not guaranteed. For minors, it’s strongly preferred for a family member or other qualified adult to be the tandem partner.
We have a diverse fleet of stable plastic recreational kayaks that include solos, tandems, sit-insides, sit-on-tops, and solo pedal kayaks. Our sit-insides have large open cockpits and we do not use spray skirts. Our boats are excellent for our flatwater location.
Stories and News about the program
