A Cal Poly San Luis Obispo alumnus made history this month when he piloted the first ever adaptive kayak. Working with University faculty and staff, Bryan Gingg, a quadriplegic since an auto accident in 1982, piloted the kayak in the waters of Morro Bay, California. Developed by Cal Poly kinesiology professor Kevin Taylor, engineering students, and mechanical engineering professor Frank Owen, the kayak is steered by an electronic sensor system run with a digital “straw.”

The kayak has a small electric motor, and disabled kayakers can sip or puff on the straw, sending signals to the boat’s sensor controls that operate the craft. The high-tech kayak also includes a joystick feature for paraplegic users.

Current kinesiology student project manager Zach Thurow and a cadre of students were on hand at Morro Bay on May 16 to situate Gingg and monitor the kayak’s sensor system. Other students formed a flotilla of 13 safety paddlers in kayaks surrounding Gingg in the “solo quad” kayak during its journey.

The so-called solo quad-conversion project has been underway since 2002 when professors Taylor and Owen wrote a grant application to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Foundation. The $11,000 grant was funded and Taylor has coordinated the project ever since, working closely with College of Engineering students and faculty, as well as numerous Kinesiology students.

The Cal Poly craft will be used as part of the university’s adapted paddling program, which helps people with disabilities participate in aquatic recreation. Test kayak pilot Gingg is actively involved in Access For All and was a recipient of the Paul Wolff Accessibility Advocacy Award in 2006.