About The Adaptive Clinic Series

The Adaptive clinics seeks to get physically (amputations, mobility impairments) and/or visually impaired veterans butts in boats! There is a large population of blind and visually impaired (B/VI) veterans who can benefit from outdoor recreation such as paddle sports and we continue to reach more of them with this our Adaptive clinics! To guide and support the disabled participants, TRR teaches sighted disabled veterans to be their instructors which increases the camaraderie and training.  
 
We also have implemented a branch of the Adaptive Clinics called KAOS(Kids Are OuttaSight), where veterans teach kayaking to blind and visually impaired children! This program allows VI veterans to use their paddling skills learned through TRR to help those in their community! 
 
If you know a physically and/or Visually impaired veteran that would be interested in learning or getting involved with TRR, please send an email to celiann.gonzalez@teamriverrunner.org

Adaptive Montana Whitewater Clinic

  • One week in Montana on Yellowstone River. Supported by the Paradise Valley community
  • New physically or visually disabled veterans who have no experience and strong desire and physical ability to paddle twice each day in solo kayaks. 
  • The majority of Guides and Safety boaters are also veterans.  We really strive to have veterans help/work with other veterans.
  • Instruction starts on flat water and proceeds to build skills up to running class 3 wave train rapids on the Yellowstone River.
  • Veterans who participate are encouraged to take on leadership in TRR in their community or nationally using leadership ideas covered in daily discussions offered by Clinic Coordinators
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The Clinics

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Adaptive Key Largo Sea Kayaking Clinic

  •  One week in Florida Keys on both ocean and bay. Supported by the Key Largo community

  • Participants: new physically or visually disabled veterans who have no experience and strong desire and physical ability to paddle twice each day in solo sea kayaks. 

  • Instruction starts on flat water and proceeds to build skills up to paddling several hours across long stretches of coastal water

  • Veterans who participate are encouraged to take on leadership in TRR in their community or nationally using leadership ideas covered in daily discussions offered by Clinic Coordinators

KAOS: Kids are OuttaSight

  • This is a local Chapter supported community program for blind and visually disabled youth
  • Length: depends on Chapter scheduling; generally one day or a weekend
  • Part of the TRR VSC (Veterans Serving the Community Program) programming TRR encourages throughout the Chapter system.
  • There is a Coordinator; Jennifer Eaton, located in the Susquehanna Chapter. She is available by email or phone with additional information. Jennifer.eaton@teamriverrunner.org
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OuttaSight Intermediate Whitewater Clinic

  • 3 to 5 day intensive paddling skills clinic
  • Rolling and whitewater instruction on increasingly higher level rapids
  • Participants: blind or visually disabled veterans who have been paddling in previous clinic, their local TRR Chapter, or special invite by clinic coordinators
  • Vision Team participants become part of National TRR Ambassador Team, encouraged to help TRR in outreach and PR to stakeholders in national program. 
  • Click here to learn about 2018 Grand Canyon Vision Team Adventure

Adaptive Flat Water Team Clinic

  • 3 day intensive paddling skills clinic
  • Rolling and/or flat water paddling  instruction on increasingly longer paddling excursions
  • Participants: physically or visually disabled veterans who have been paddling in previous clinic, their local TRR Chapter, or special invite by clinic coordinators
  • Adaptive Team participants become part of TRR National Ambassador Team, encouraged to help TRR in outreach and PR to stakeholders in national program.
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OuttaSight Blind "B's" Football Team

  • All visually disabled or blind veteran are encouraged to participate in TRR National Kayak Football League (NKFL) tournaments

  • Team Captain is Joe Mornini; other Blind B Captains should contact joe@teamriverrunner.org

Vanessa Jones

Committe Co-Chair

Vanessa A. Jones is a dynamic force dedicated to fostering
inclusivity, encouraging discussion, and promoting a culture of
belonging in the outdoor sports community. Hailing from
Washington, DC, she brings a wealth of diverse experiences and
perspectives to her endeavors.
As a US Army veteran and ordained Chaplain with a focus on
seniors and caretakers, Vanessa is deeply committed to serving
others. Her work as a patient-caretaker advocate reflects her
passion for supporting vulnerable populations and ensuring their
voices are heard.
Currently, Vanessa is employed by a resettlement agency, where
she confronts challenges head-on with resilience and
compassion. As a single, Black woman veteran, she embraces
the unique hurdles she faces, viewing them as opportunities for
growth and empowerment.
In her downtime, she wears many hats, including that of a
missionary, spreading hope and positivity wherever she goes.
Weekends are spent paddling, immersing herself in West African
dance and finding solace and joy in nature’s embrace.
Vanessa is committed to equitable principles, ensuring that
everyone’s opinions are valued and heard. Through her
unwavering dedication and inclusive leadership, Vanessa is
paving the way for a more equitable and diverse outdoor sports
landscape.