Blue Journey Unified Programs (BJUP) offer adults living with SCI/D opportunities to play, train and compete year around in open water sport disciplines of paddleboarding, swimming and kayak. The program offers pool training (swimming and prone paddleboarding) in the winter and open-water prone paddleboarding, kayak and swimming programming in the summer. In prone paddleboarding participants lie down face first on a lifeguard racing board-style craft and move through the water using their hands and arms. The sport provides a unique opportunity for people with SCI to participate in an athletic/recreational activity with minimal need for special equipment or accommodation. When people with and without SCI paddle next to each other it is virtually impossible to discern who arrived at the beach in a wheelchair. Prone paddleboarding, kayaking and open water swimming are globally practiced activities that are all components of international open water sports as well as being individual aquatic sport disciplines practiced at open water venues around the world. In prone paddleboarding participants lie down face first on special race boards and move through the water using their hands and arms. The sport provides a unique opportunity for people with SCI/D to participate in an activity with minimal need for adapted equipment or accommodation. When people with and without SCI/D paddle next to each other it is virtually impossible to discern who arrived at the beach in a wheelchair. The inclusion of racing kayaks known as surf skis provide those who may have physical barriers to laying down prone or who prefer a different activity the chance to enhance their strength, endurance and balance that allows them to explore local waters side by side with those with and without SCI/D. Swimming is recognized as a valuable rehabilitation and exercise modality for anyone with or without a physical challenge. The addition of open water opportunities with professional coaches allows participants to immerse themselves in an outdoor activity that also frees them from many limitations they may find on land.
To do all this, BJUP creates communities of people with and without SCI/D that come together on a regular basis to train and socialize. This sustainable, ongoing program focus creates opportunities for people with SCI/D to paddle with friends and family for recreation and/or athletic training and competition in both adaptive and non-adaptive sports events. Swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking can increase physical and emotional well-being and ameliorate secondary conditions commonly experienced by people with SCI, including poor posture, muscle imbalances, compromised skin integrity, decreased cardio-vascular and pulmonary health, and muscle spasticity.
Blue Journey Unified innovative program:
Measurable goals for BJUP include:
Connecting Adult Athletes with Spinal Cord Injuries/Disease to our Oceans and Ocean Communities
What we offer:
SCHEDULES VARY BASED ON CONDITIONS AND WEATHER. ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL REGISTER VIA EVITE INVITATIONS. May, June and Sept sessions are at Beesley's Point, Upper Township on Sunday evenings. July, August sessions are at Glisten.Fit's Virginia Lake near Medford on Thursday evenings. {Additional small group sessions are held on lakes and the bay around South Jersey.} Sign up to stay informed and follow on Facebook at Blue Journey Unified.
FREE for Adult Participants with SCI/D
Thursday evenings from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at the Ocean City Aquatics and Fitness Center throughout the year. Advanced registration required. PLEASE - Adult Athletes wishing to take part should contact Bruckner via voice, text or e-mail for more information before signing up.
FREE for Adult Participants with SCI/D
NOTE: NO POOL SESSIONS JULY - AUGUST
For those who want to test their limits in the natural waters around us and become part of an inspiring competitive ocean athlete community racing side by side and head to head against those with and without physical challenges.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION
One on one & small group training sessions for our athletes wanting to push themselves to new horizons beyond the waves. Contact us to learn more.
FREE for Participants with SCI/D
Blue Journey Unified Participant Code of Conduct:
Ocean Positive is committed to the highest ideals of sport, fitness and training and expects all those joining us to honor the sports in which we participate and the Ocean Positive mission.
BJUP-CodeofConduct (pdf)
DownloadWe love sharing what we do and who we are, so feel free to visit one of our sessions as a participant, volunteer or guest.
"I mean the feeling of being out on the water, and I've said it before there's no chairs, no disability. It's like I can kick your ass next to me and you are standing up paddling. I'm just laying down prone. Let's have a race." -Luke
Bruckner Chase Ocean Positive, Inc. – Board Member, Programming & Grants Director
Ocean Advocate & Endurance Waterman, Bruckner Chase Ocean Positive, Inc. - Founder/CEO
PT, Spinal Injury Specialist - Bacharach Rehabilitation Hospital