Handi-Craft Adaptive Whitewater Tour 2018
The Handi-Craft Adaptive Whitewater Tour is a one-man sensation! In 2012, Eric Thompson sustained a spinal cord injury. Like many in his situation, the injury flipped his world. However, it didn’t crush his spirit. Now, he tours the U.S. to show how anyone can experience the thrill of whitewater rafting. Before his injury, Eric worked as a ski patroller at Mt. Hood Skibowl. He also guided commercial rafting trips on the White Salmon River. He loved whitewater and adventure sports. But after losing his core muscle control, he could no longer ski or kayak the way he once did. Even so, he found a new way to stay on the river—and he’s helping others do the same.
Soon after his injury, Eric found a way to run Class 5 rapids on his own—without using his core muscles. He didn’t wait around. Instead, he modified a Creature Craft built for extreme whitewater. He controls it using oars, not core strength. As a result, he can take on Class 5 and even 5+ rapids. His custom adaptive cata-raft (catamaran-raft) includes a supportive seat that keeps him secure. Thanks to this design, Eric can tackle the fastest, wildest water—completely independently.
Creature Craft is a new type of inflatable whitewater cata-raft. It opens up exciting new possibilities for both fun and safety on raging rivers. Traditionally, when a raft flips, the entire crew ends up in the water. That exposes everyone to the elements and increases the risk of injury. In contrast, the Creature Craft changes the game. If it flips, the rafter stays seated and simply rolls it back upright. As a result, riders stay safer and spend more time on the water—rather than in it.
Right now, Eric is road tripping solo across the country for a month. Along the way, he’s running whitewater, visiting friends, and promoting adaptive rafting. He’s reaching out to parathletes, adaptive programs, and commercial outfitters. Recently, he hosted the Handi-Craft Adaptive Whitewater Tour in Hood River and White Salmon from June 22nd to 29th. The event was completely free for anyone—of any ability—brave enough to try adaptive rafting. For more photos and updates, check out Eric’s Facebook page.
