Accessible Fishing & Assessment

[gemstonesgemology]

Hi

I’m passionate about fishing and have a C6 sensation & C7 function Quadriplegia for 40 years.  I have done extensive research into equipment that can be used by people with various disabilities to improve individual’s capabilities to fish as independently as possible from river banks to boats.  Currently I’m designing equipment and sourcing their production to fill some of the gaps in this area.  Also I have been negotiating with insurance agencies about recreational equipment being part of people’s life plans.

I’m happy to talk fishing and assess your equipment needs freely but written recommendations and rationales for appropriate equipment to insurers will incur a fee.  This fee would be charged to the insurer that is no cost to the individual.

I fish as often as possible.  These are the areas I have tried.

North: Clifton Gardens (recommend weekdays only), Little Manly Point, Narrabeen Lake, Brooklyn and Patonga Wharf.

To the South: Tom Ugly’s Bridge, San Souci Park, Kurnell boat ramp, Gunnamatta Park, several locations on the Shoalhaven river (Greenwell Point peer & boat ramp, several of the 7 accessible platforms from Nowra to Greenwell Point) & Crookhaven Heads jetty & accessible platform and Callala Bay Jetty.

West:Nepean River & Lake Lyell.   If you want any information about these locations just ask.

Every Feburary I help organise a joint fishing event between two churches at Brooklyn.  We hire the four pontoon boats for the day.  If there is interest in being part of this event or going on a separate event let me know and I’m happy to organise one.

I volunteer at Ryde Rehab promoting their one off “Come Try Fishing” events.   At the last event people wanted more fishing events. I’m trying to get them to organise at least four a year and plan them well in advance for advertising.

People are most welcome to join me when I go fishing.  Just let me know if you are interested and I will email you a week or two before I go and you can decide if you want to come.

Other Fishing Events Sargood currently organises a regular offshore fishing charter.  They offer packaged deals of accommodation and charter.  You can participate in the charter even if you do not take the package deal, however priority for the limited places on the charter is given to those who are staying at Sargood.  Currently these places can only be taken by people that are ambulatory or can use a manual wheelchair during the charter.  Sebastian at Sargood is currently working on the issues to enable people who use powered chairs to participate in these charters as well.

I would like to hear from people who have a disability and would like to try any type of fishing or have tried fishing and how they went.  The more information the better.

Kevin

[gemstonesgemology]

There are some corrections and updates. The Sargood offshore fishing events are only open to those that take the package deal (stay at Sargood and join the offshote event). The Sargood staff are training the boat crew on how to assist people with a disability. The boat has public and private fishing charters so feel free to join one of these. The biggest hurdle is access, so far people on manuel chairs have been able to assess the boat.

Sorry I do not know the name of the boat or the hire company but stay tuned.

Commencement date to be set but Ryde Rehab will be running “Come Try Fishing” events on a Tuesday morning from approx. 10.30-12 at this stage. They will run out of Narrabeen Lake during school terms
At first they will be starting with 2 and working up to 6 participants (this allows us to work within funding schemes)

The rec therapists will be commencing assessments of clients needs in relation to clients needs and equipment and goals relevant to the program.
At present they are in the middle of purchasing a range of items at my recommendation and from identified need.

I’ll keep you informed of starting dates as soon as the are available.

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