FINDING FREEDOM ON THE WATER: RICK UNRUH'S JOURNEY BACK TO SAILING

Apr 1

This summer, Rick Unruh, a former mountain biking enthusiast and sailboat expert, rediscovered a passion for sailing. After a serious mountain biking accident six years ago that left him paralyzed, Rick struggled with feelings of disappointment and hesitance to engage in activities he once loved. Rick had a strong sailing background, having lived on a sailboat for five summers on the Great Lakes, but his recent years had been marked by uncertainty. Rick was encouraged to try adaptive sailing by his daughter Karin and other loved ones. “I was glad they encouraged me,” he reflected. “I found it empowering to take control of the boat. It felt intuitive, like I was back in charge.”
Rick’s sailing experience is remarkable not only for the sport itself but also for the sense of independence it offered. “I had tried so many things post-injury that just didn’t pan out,” he explained. “It was hard for me to believe that sailing would be different.”

Rick found a supportive environment where his skills could shine. “The team was professional and knew exactly how to handle my needs,” he said, “once I was out there, I felt completely at ease. I could have stayed out there all day.”
Looking ahead, Rick is eager to explore other activities, including skiing—something he’s always loved. “I started skiing at age three and hoped to reach 60 years on the slopes,” he said. “Now I want to get back out there.” We’re excited for him to try our TetraSki this winter!

Rick’s journey illustrates the transformative power of adaptive sports and the importance of community support. “I encourage anyone with a spinal cord injury to give it a try,” he urged. “It’s an outstanding experience that can change your perspective on life.” His story serves as a beacon of hope for others navigating similar challenges, demonstrating that it’s never too late to rediscover passion and purpose in life.

Thanks to funding from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, St. John’s Health and Teton Adaptive we were able to snag an amazing new piece of equipment—a custom TetraCraft Sailboat! This boat gives adaptive athletes with more complex disabilities the freedom to get out on the water. Dr. Jeffrey Rosenbluth, the medical director of the spinal cord injury acute rehab program at the Neilsen Rehab Hospital in Salt Lake City, led the design of the technology with his team.

The boat is built on a tandem kayak, but with a twist: it’s equipped with four motors that can be controlled using a joystick and sip-and-puff technology! The joystick, similar to the controls on power wheelchairs, moves the boat forward, while the captain can control the sail by gently breathing through two tubes—one to unfurl the sail and the other to bring it back in.

It’s all about making sailing accessible and giving adaptive athletes the chance to experience the freedom of the open water.