Thanks to an ETSU organization, veterans are trading their guns for paddles. Starting in early November, Team River Runner, a group of kayakers from Washington D.C., area, began recruiting veterans for its new paddling programs using ETSU’s Basler Center for Physical Activity pool as a pilot site.

This program, which teaches kayaking techniques to veterans with disabilities, has been a success in every area it has been established, says program Director Bill Finger, by giving veterans the adrenaline that they once knew from combat.

Finger, a clinical psychologist for the Veterans Administration Mountain Home, across the street from ETSU, contacted TRR about making ETSU a pilot site for veterans to learn kayaking as part of their healing process, and four years ago, he was certified as a white-water guide and kayaking instructor so that he could be a larger part of this new program.

“Kayaking is something recreationally that I have a passion for while being able to use it with my profession,” Finger said. “I work with veterans. It’s a way to integrate everything I love about kayaking and getting veterans involved with reintegrating themselves in local communities .

“The idea is to get veterans with physical limitations that often have a sense of loss. They can’t do things the way they used to, especially the ones with mental and physical problems, so we’re trying to open up a new way of activities through kayaking,” Finger said.

This rehabilitation program started at Walter Reed, a military hospital in Washington, D.C., which specializes in working with returning veterans with limb losses and physical limitations.

“We also have a very large population of spinal cord injuries which is where we’re going to try and focus on getting them into boats and interacting to help treat their disabilities,” Finger said.

TRR is funding the new program at ETSU with kayaks and all the necessary equipment.

Because ETSU is a pilot site, there will have to be fundraising around the Tri-Cities area, he said, to ensure the program will become permanent.

Four certified instructors and volunteers for the program follow America’s Canoeing Association regulations in developing skills for veterans.

Volunteers, which include some ETSU students, are part of this process, helping instructors train veterans in kayak paddling and rolling techniques.

Jeremy Bailey, president of the Kayaking Club at ETSU, is one of the most experienced volunteers.

“The biggest reward is being able to help people pursue a non-conventional passion,” Bailey said.

Finger was able to get this program started with the help from Bailey, who was already leading weekly pool sessions for inexperienced kayakers.

“I’m really fortunate to have Jeremy,” Finger said. “He’s done everything he could in helping us set this up.”

Although this sport is physically demanding, the mental healing process is also important to the instructors.

“I’d like to get veterans active with this, and get them on white water because some never progress beyond pools,” Finger said.

Getting veterans to volunteer as instructors after their training is another goal, Finger said.

Nine veterans, six volunteers and four certified instructors started paddling toward their own goals in November.

Classes are on Wednesday nights from 7-9 and any veterans interested may participate through the VA, Finger said.

For more information, contact Finger at billfinger@yahoo.com or Bailey at 704-773-6009.

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