What’s a kayaker to do when a storm comes through his town and the water’s so high he can’t sit up without smacking his head on a tree? Well, he grabs tape, foam and plastic sheeting, and invents a prone kayak. At least, that’s what Adam Masters did. His invention, the Bellyak, is used by paddlers who want a more immediate experience with white water and, increasingly, by adaptive paddlers who appreciate a piece of sports equipment designed to be used lying face down.
The company suggests its Frequency yak for adaptive paddling. “The drop-down skeg makes going straight in it much easier,” says the website. A “skeg” is the tail end of a boat where a rudder might be found. “The gently-contoured body area supports the body in an ergonomically correct position and it is easy to mount with minimal assistance.” It’s 8 feet long, weighs 30 pounds, features a thick foam pad to lie on, and the price is around $800, which is comparable to a mid-range kayak. Watch the video to see if it’s something you would enjoy at bellyak.com/buy/frequency.
** This post was originally published on http://www.newmobility.com/2019/08/the-bellyak-prone-kayak/
