Glide
"Making paddle sports more accessible"
The Glide is an accessible kayak and canoe launching platform designed to make watersports more accessible for users with limited mobility. This project was a summative assessment piece at QUT in collaboration with Spinal Life Australia and SEQ Water. The Glide is designed to reduce physical exertion and strain on the user while entering and exiting the watercraft.
The Glide is a floating pontoon structure with dual access for loading watercraft in and out of lakes and dams. It has a transfer bench and sliding seat that takes the user over the kayak for easier entry and exit from the watercraft. Rolling ramps allow the user to transport their kayak from the carpark to the water, while the rubber wheels and stiff bearings prevent the boat from rolling uncontrolled down the ramp.
My role in the project was materials and manufacturing, alongside general design and concept iteration. The team provided a full product specification including value proposition, features, details, working drawings and costings.
