Accessible Water Adventures in San Diego

Paralympian Alana Nichols has competed around the globe, but some of her favorite experiences on the water happen right here in San Diego. Whether she’s surfing at Cardiff Reef, kayaking through the caves at La Jolla Cove, sailing offshore or training on Mission Bay, she knows the region’s waterways inside and out. And as an athlete with a disability, she offers valuable insight into San Diego’s adaptive community and accessible outdoor opportunities. Read on to learn more of her story and her tips for accessible aquatic adventures in San Diego.

Q: What makes San Diego’s coast so accessible?

A: The Challenged Athletes Foundation, based in San Diego, is a hub for all things adaptive sports. They are always holding events for people with physical disabilities. Then there’s the International Surf Association, based in La Jolla. They’re the main spearheading organization for adaptive surfing development. It’s organizations like these that help set the tone for the whole community. Also, there are beach wheelchairs at many of the lifeguard towers at the beach so that people with disabilities can get in and out of the water easily.

Q: What are some of the accessible water sports and programs available in San Diego?

A: Surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking and waterskiing are all sports that kids and adults can partake in in the San Diego area. There are several adaptive surfing programs, specifically, in San Diego including the Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program of San Diego, the Challenged Athletes Foundation and the Stoke for Life Foundation.

Q: What are some unique ways for someone with a physical disability to get out and explore San Diego’s coast and water?

A: There is actually an electric beach chair at the beach in Coronado that allows people with disabilities to traverse the beach. Also, there are several boat tours that will accommodate people with disabilities and special needs.”

Q: What businesses help make San Diego more adaptive for athletes and adventurers?

A: The Challenged Athletes Foundation in particular has changed the way people with disabilities are able to interact with the ocean and be active, participating members of the community.

Q: What role does the San Diego community play?

A: Because San Diego is so inclusive, there is a large community of active people with disabilities who are more than willing to create opportunities for others to get on the water or back into healthy and active lifestyles.

Q: What role does the International Surfing Association (headquartered in San Diego) play in the city’s accessible water sports?

A: The ISA is leading the adaptive surf movement and plays a huge role in building and keeping the momentum of adaptive surfing throughout the world. They host the World Adaptive Surfing Championship event right here in La Jolla, which is awesome. When the global community comes to La Jolla it creates awareness around the community and with that, more support and inclusion in general. It’s been amazing to watch the community embrace adaptive surfing!

Q: Is there support for deaf travelers in San Diego?

A: Yes! The Deaf Community Services of San Diego will provide paid interpreters by request.  Check them out here.