I got this ain an e-mail…
"Mr. Jensen,
Is it possible to design (or does one exist) a surfboard for a double leg amputee?
I have a friend who keeps a wallpaper on his computer of a surfer shooting a pipe.
He lost both legs just above the knees and speaks of his love of the time when he could surf. I whish to help… can you assist me?
Thanks,(name witheld)"
Let your ideas flow…
I’ve got an older neighbor with bad shoulders…he is stand up surfing again but I’ve been noodling on ways
to make pancaking more exciting, something that he often does.
the general consensus has been straighter railed board for speed down the line (which is well suited for the local beach break conditions anyways) and a pair of keels further forward than you would put them for a stand up board since the board is largely driven with a lot of weight center-forward on the board.
for an amputee w/o knees and below, kneeboarding sans prosthetics seems unlikely…so he needs something that can be arm paddled, but surfed from the belly…I think a foam core alaia or a hull-like board with a more gentle forward belly (ease of paddle) could be fun and maneuverable.
I’m interested to see where this thread goes…
I think the best results would be achieved with the help of an open-minded prosthetics shop. I bet a fairly normal kneeboard would be workable with the use of some good sockets over the stumps with some stable “feet” on the bottom. Low center of gravity, but still upright. Might even be able to pull off a side-standing stance if some good supports could be created to grip the board. I think short and thick would definitely be the call. That way he could still get rail to rail with the decreased leverage of AKA-shortened legs, and not have to worry about changing positions front-back too much. I’m thinking something like a 5’4" Nugget shape.
After discussions with Roger (Proneman) I figured out that one of his objectives with the longer bellyboards (El Paipo Grande) is to be able to ride prone without the need for swim fins to aid paddling. My own experiences riding prone is that it is quite possible without the specific use of a 'bellyboard' - even a longboard can be ridden prone. A double amputee stand up board would prove challenging for the rider I'm sure. Getting in and out of the water even with a prone device might require some assistance. I would encourage him to consider a longer good paddling prone device of some kind.
At the risk of starting a beef or being labeled a kook I still have to say,
A surf ski could be a good option.
The guys who are good at it are having just as much fun as anybody else in the water.........
The first thing that pops into my head is this man in a stand up tube. Some sort of prosthetic feet. That would be so awesome. Short wide stable board. He could still prone surf it or spin around and sit on it. A pure prone solution or surf ski is too easy. The board is the easy part. The prosthetic feet would be the challenge and learning how to use them. Mike
Hey Paul,
Have you seen those wake/kneeboards where the rider has a strap across the thighs? This concept could be applicable in the surf also. Not so much the very board in the pic., but the shaped recess and straps.
Josh
just before last Christmas my wife and i went away for a few days to a great surfspot with relaxed camping atmosphere. i got some nice waves one morning and after a good right i was paddling back out and saw a guy take off and surf straight towards me. he looked solid on the board like nothing could knock him off but something seemed different. i then realised his legs had been amputated from around the knee area. he could trim and turn and even pulled in as he went by me. i’m not sure if he came out after a little cover-up or not.
i was pretty stoked after that. i guess it can be done. sorry i don’t have any board info, just a little positive note for you…
Hi,
I believe I saw a board on the blog of Barrelsurfboards a long time ago that may be just what you’re looking for. Perhaps it’s worth contacting Mr. Barrel for more details and ride reports.
Years back, when I first started surfing (80’s), there was a guy at our local break who rode with a most unusal syle. His board was a kind of hybrid between a 6 - 7’ thruster and a surf-ski, quite wide, with handles on the rails like a rescue board. He paddled prone, then on take-off, grabbed the handles and swung his legs thru to a sitting position and rode like that, hanging onto the handles. He surfed pretty good like that too. On dry land, he wasn’t severely disabled, but he did hobble a bit.
Diff’rnt strokes for diff’rnt folks.
Paul, I think I remember Lob (who posted here some time ago) actually made a board for a guy who had lost both legs in an accident. Maybe try and get in touch with him?
I would go with a kneeboard but quad set up alittle more forward that usual. Then get a mold on his lower area and findout how he can sit on it. then put that mold into the deck and make a area for his chest. If he can’t hold on with his legs a molded concaved deck is a must.
http://www.liferollson.org/site/pp.asp?c=egLLKTNJE&b=79342
I think hooking up with Jesse would be a good first step although Jesse has legs, he’s a paraplegic and loves to surf. He’s come down to Rincon a few times during the Clean Water Classic.
Reply from Name Witheld:
"I’m totally overwhelmed…I don’t know where to start I only know where I started, I just wanted to fix a broken dream.
If nothing comes out of this, to be given this glimpse of heroic out pouring of humanity like this might change my life.
Didn’t expect this… it’s getting me all choked up and makes it hard to read.
Thank you."
Hello Paul,
A friend of mine, Ishmael, has an association called “vagd’espoire” (wave of hope) that does a great job of getting disabled people back in the water. He surf (and skates, and snowboards) at a good level as a single amputee, and may have some additional insight. For board needs, of course, but also for a prosthetics shop that specializes in watersports. I know that he’s used shops from both here and back in the States. If you’d like, I’ll contact him and see what he can suggest?
Thanks.
Try this link here: http://www2.swaylocks.com/node/1028737#comment-1330529
I have a lady customer with one leg who uses them quite OK, don’t need feet although paddling may be a little slower.
Iced
I have a friend who is a bilateral ak (both legs above the knee). He takes his legs off to surf and uses a fish about 6', he attaches the leash to a belt at his waist. He paddles in a prone position and when he catches the wave he lifts himself to a sitting position he is quite good...
Also just a thought. If you have the info or if the emailer knows if the individual is an Iraq or Afghanistan Vet ,there is a program on the west coast called operation amped surf clinc that helps vets with disabilities get in the water and learn to surf...