Adaptive Canoeing at 89: "I Need to Get Back to It"
- Meg McCall
- Jul 6
- 4 min read
"I need to get back to it."
When Bob Gillette from Massachusetts said those simple words to me over the phone, I realized this conversation wasn't really about a paddle system.
It was about identity.
At 89 years old (and already looking ahead to his 90th birthday next February), Bob has spent a lifetime on the water. Like many lifelong paddlers, canoeing isn't simply a hobby, it's part of who he is. Bob is also the author of Paddling Prince Edward Island (Falcon Press, 2006), a guidebook that reflects his lifelong love of paddling and the deeper meaning it has held throughout his life.
Today, however, life looks different.
Bob is living with a slowly progressing lung disease. In June, his wife suffered a stroke, and the two are adjusting to an entirely new daily routine. As he put it, they're waiting for "the dust to settle" before finding their new normal.
But through everything that's changed, one thing hasn't.
He's determined to paddle again.
Bob originally contacted me after a fall on a dock last summer left him with a shoulder injury and torn rotator cuff. Although he eventually regained full range of motion, paddling still caused discomfort. As he explained, every stroke requires lifting not only your arms but also the weight of the paddle itself -- a "double whammy" for an injured shoulder. He began searching for a way to reduce that strain while continuing to enjoy the activity he loves.
Finding an Adaptive Canoeing Solution for a Hornbeck Canoe
Over the past several weeks, Bob and I have shared a number of emails and phone conversations as we explored whether one of Angle Oar's mount-supported paddle systems might work with his unique canoe, a 10½-foot Hornbeck ultralight canoe.
Angle Oar's mount-supported paddle systems were not designed for canoes, which typically have wider hulls and sit higher in the water. While a handful of customers have found ways to successfully adapt our equipment to fit their canoes, each installation has been a little different and has required some creativity.
Fortunately, Bob's particular Hornbeck model appears to be a promising candidate. Together, we studied photographs of his canoe, exchanged ideas, discussed several mounting possibilities and considered ways to create an adaptive canoeing setup while preserving the boat he has enjoyed for so many years.
Canoe Outriggers, Ingenuity and the Spirit of Adaptive Canoeing
One thing quickly became clear.
Bob wasn't waiting for someone else to solve every challenge.
Over the years, he's already designed several clever solutions of his own. Because his lightweight canoe is quite tippy, he purchased canoe outriggers to make boarding and exiting much easier. On top of that, he created another custom device specifically to help himself get safely in and out of the canoe. He also mentioned the possibility of building a removable wooden yoke with a center opening that could support the Gamut's mounting post while still being easy to remove for getting into and out of the canoe.
Knowing Bob, I wouldn't be surprised if he builds it. His creativity and willingness to experiment are exactly what have allowed him to continue adapting throughout his paddling life.
That's what lifelong paddlers do.
They adapt.
They experiment.
They keep finding ways to stay on the water.
We even spent time talking about one of Bob's prized possessions, a beautiful Shaw & Tenney wooden paddle dating back to the 1890s. His hope was to continue using it, perhaps by incorporating an oarlock into the design.
Those are the kinds of conversations I genuinely enjoy -- not simply recommending a product -- but working alongside someone to solve a problem that's unique to them.
Adaptive Canoeing Is About More Than Equipment
At the end of one of our conversations, Bob said something that genuinely meant a great deal to me.
"Being on the water is so much more to me than just being on the water. I need to get back to it."
He then added something I'll never forget.
"Meg, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you and the values of your company...that you took the time to call me personally and talk it through. I really appreciate it."
A few days later, Bob sent me the preface from Paddling Prince Edward Island. As I read it, I realized just how deeply paddling has shaped his life. He writes:
"Most often, paddlers have time to think and be lulled into a soothing, meditative state."
And later:
"The spirit of the place seeps into your soul and reemerges throughout the time that you are away."
Reading those words gave me an even deeper appreciation for what Bob had shared with me. When he said that being on the water was about more than paddling, he wasn't talking only about recreation. He was talking about a place that restores him -- physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Moments like these remind me why I started Angle Oar.
Yes, we design adaptive paddling equipment. But more importantly, we spend time listening. Every paddler has a different story, a different body, a different boat and different goals. Finding the right solution often starts with a conversation, not a catalog.
The Next Chapter in Bob's Adaptive Canoeing Journey
For now, Bob is focused on what matters most, helping his wife as they adjust to life after her stroke.
The equipment can wait.
But his dream hasn't.
As Bob recently wrote to me, "We are weathering the immediate storm of health issues, but we are optimistic."
I am too.
Whether it's through canoe outriggers, adaptive paddling equipment or a custom solution, the goal is always the same: helping people safely return to the water.
Bob still plans to get back on the water, and when he does, he plans to send me a photo of himself in that remarkable little Hornbeck canoe with his own creative adaptations. When that happens, I'll update this story so you can follow along on the next chapter.
Because sometimes the most inspiring adaptive canoeing stories aren't about the equipment.
They're about the determination to keep doing what you love, no matter what life puts in your path.
