Adaptive paddleboarding for people with disabilities

Wheelchair-adapted boards, hands-on support, and free Paddle Days help participants get on the water with confidence

Why AFF exists

The water changes what feels possible

Adaptive Freedom Foundation removes the practical and social barriers between people with disabilities and the freedom of open water. A first paddle can become confidence, connection, and a new way of seeing what comes next

Meet the foundation

Upcoming with AFF

Choose what comes next

New Paddle Days and community gatherings will be announced here

The events page will always have the newest AFF dates and details

Explore all events

There is room for you

Choose how you want to be part of AFF

Attend an event

Find a Paddle Day or community gathering and see what to expect

Explore events

Volunteer

Bring your time and encouragement; the AFF team will help you learn the rest

Join the crew

Partner

Expand access through funding, equipment, expertise, or community reach

Build with AFF

Before your first paddle

A few good questions

Who can participate?

AFF creates adaptive experiences for people with disabilities and welcomes families and caregivers into the day

Do I need paddling experience?

No prior paddling experience is needed; the AFF team will talk through the equipment and what to expect

What does it cost?

AFF’s community paddle experiences are free for participants, supported by donations and partnerships

WASUP™ Paddle Days

Getting on the water is simple

AFF meets each person where they are and builds the day around what helps them feel ready

Tell us what you need

Start with a conversation about comfort, access, and what a great day looks like for you

Meet your support crew

Equipment checks and people who listen make preparation part of the welcome

Launch at your pace

Support stays nearby while your confidence leads the experience

A participant and support person sharing a reassuring moment before launch

A wheelchair secured to an AFF adaptive paddleboard at the waterline

An AFF volunteer assisting a wheelchair user along the accessible beach pathway

A participant paddling while two AFF volunteers guide the adapted board

Two AFF volunteers supporting a participant during an on-water launch

A participant and AFF volunteer celebrating a successful paddle with a high five

Designed around people

Your chair stays with youStability is built inSafety starts on shoreFamilies belong too

Community photos

Real moments
Real freedom

A participant, a paddle, and a community choosing possibility together

A smiling participant in adaptive equipment surrounded by the AFF launch crew

Ready for the water

Confidence arrives

A participant laughing with an AFF volunteer beside the water

A shared moment

Connection comes first

A participant and AFF volunteer smiling together after paddling

After the paddle

Joy you can see

AFF volunteers gathered with paddleboards beside the Long Beach marina

Behind every paddle

The people who show up

A wheelchair user paddling an adapted board with two AFF volunteers on open water

Out on the water

Freedom in motion

An adaptive paddler smiling with both arms raised while seated securely on an AFF board

A first paddle

A moment that stays

Explore event albums, find familiar faces, and share your own photos with AFF.

Explore the gallery Share your photos