<< BACK

Israel '98 The project focused on the development of kayak equipment for disabled people. The project involved disabled and non-disabled people from both the UK and Israel. The research involved user trials of postural support systems for people with spinal cord injury and for amputees. Safety equipment was also trialled.

Summary

The trials involved both male and female participants over a nine-day period. The trials were run by the Adventure Designs project at the Design for Life Centre. The project was hosted by 'Cando' an Israeli charity based in Tel Aviv providing Sea Kayak opportunities for disabled people.

Aims

To gather data for the Postural Supports Project in a warm climate so that the participants could concentrate on data gathering rather than become preoccupied with the practical and physical demands of a hostile environment and inclement weather. In addition the aim of the project was to link the development work being undertaken by Adventure Designs, at the Design for Life Centre within Brunel University's Design Department, to actual field work practice for disabled canoeists and field scientists.

Conclusions

When comparing its aims with its achievements the expedition can be said to to have been a great success. The team was able to gather data that subsequently was used to form the foundation for the design of the Aquabac. Despite unexpected bad weather a moderate amount of data was also collected on the Lite Kite taking the subsequent development process one stage further in the design process.

During the team debriefing it was possible to collate the experiences of the team as practical field trial findings. This added to the knowledge-base available to disabled adventurers, field scientists and project workers operating in the shore based environment.

All team members enjoyed the cultural aspects of the project. For those of the Israeli and British teams who had become disabled as a result of armed conflict, there was perhaps an additional meaning to the cultural exchange. Other highlights included sharing experiences of the historical city of Jerusalem and the amazing environment of the Dead Sea.

Images

Full report

Click on this icon to download the report in PDF file format.
If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here to download it to your machine.

Report details

Full Report Title and ISBN

Adventure Designs Expedition Reports: Volume 2
Compiled by: Suresh Paul FRGS
Editor: John Matthews
ISBN 1-902316-07-X
Adventure Designs
Israel ‘98
Design for Life Field Trials
Report: A report of Sea Kayak trials and equipment development with a10-person team of disabled and able-bodied adventurers

Foreword

Geoff Smedley
Chief Executive, UK Sports Association for the Disabled

A recipe to turn dreams into reality that blends people, sport, and science seasoned well with determination.

Thanks to

The project would not have been possible without the generosity of the participants who gave their time for free. Without their support and involvement it would not have been possible to advance the Aquabac Postural support project to finalise the innovative equipment which was used later the same year to complete the Ganges '98 - 99' Expedition.

Special thanks to;

• Darren Swift
• Alistair Hodgson
• Dale Rennard
• Will Behenna
• Glen Shaw
• Rosie Tribe
• Mike King
• Nigel Robinson
• With special thanks also to our canoeing friends in Israel: Roi Evrons, and the friends of 'Cando'.
• Fundamental to the success of the project were all the participants of the 1997 City Abseil Challenge at the London Underwriting Centre whose fund-raising efforts helped subsidise the international travel for the research team, who donated their time and enthusiasm for free.