‘We claimed it:’ Glenwood Canyon float could be largest adaptive rafting trip in state

News News | Aug 5, 2023

Many rafts make their way down the Colorado River, through the Glenwood Canyon to Two Rivers Park everyday during the summer.

It’s a favorite pastime for many locals and tourists alike, and Glenwood is the perfect place to enjoy it.

“People should try rafting, it’s really fun,” said local resident Eric Bell right after completing a trip with 66 of his close friends.

Yes, 66 people on one single rafting trip. What was even more unique about the group Bell rafted with was that many were people with disabilities. Some of those disabilities require his friends to use a wheelchair to get around, so getting that day with his friends was extra exciting.

“We’re not sure if there’s ever been a bigger raft trip than ours today, for people with disabilities,” said Laine Fabijanic, the city’s community and therapeutic recreation supervisor and organizer of the trip. “I feel like we claimed it.”

Most of the people who did the 66-person raft trip on July 28 had been rafting before, but never with such a large group.

“I just really enjoy hanging out with my friends,” said another rafter, David Hayes. “It was very relaxing. I just really enjoyed it.”

The trip also marked the first time that some experienced swimming in the Colorado River.

“I had an awesome day,” said one rafter, Susie Simmons. “Ándale ándale!”

Originally, Fabijanic wanted to have the Parks and Recreation Department get a couple float dates together for some therapeutic recreation on the river.

The first trip only had a few people sign up and required just two boats, but the second trip grew fast, with 60 people signing up and a need for 10 boats to accommodate everyone who wanted to join.

Fabijanic already worked out the trip with an old friend Heather Montross-Cowan and they wanted to make it happen. Cowan owns Defiance Rafting Company and said she knew there was a need for more adaptive rafting opportunities, so she made sure to make it a part of Defiance.

“When we look at the outdoors, I mean we see who comes and who comes and rafts with us and we see who doesn’t, and we know that there’s a gap,” Cowen said.

The trip had the help of Challenge Aspen, Mountain Valley Developmental Services and Ascendigo Autism Services.

“Challenge Aspen has all these amazing chairs that they’re allowing us to borrow to make sure that we can meet the needs,” said Charlotte Hanks, a raft guide and educator in Glenwood Springs.

Adapting recreation to different needs is not always a straight line, but with a lot of questions and a little improvisation, they’re able to make almost anything happen.

“We are willing and able to take anybody and everybody rafting and that’s what we’re here to do,” Hanks said. “We want everyone to enjoy the river as much as we do. So don’t be afraid to call and ask questions and let us know what you need and we will make a way.”

Hanks said that Defiance will also bring things like water guns to cool people when they can’t get off the boat, and they make sure to make a safe stop to let everyone get out and enjoy a soak in the cool river water.

“Every single person that’s coming in a wheelchair, we’re able to pull off on a beach and get them in the water swimming,” Hanks said. “Everyone swam.”

Cowen said that a part of Defiance’s mission statement is inclusion and accessibility and Hanks agreed that if there is a way, they will make it happen.

As the groups made their way into Two Rivers Park, the people of the rafts were cheering and happy, jokingly spraying each other with river water and having a good time. The group came together at the end to take a big picture posed with both smiles and then silly faces. There is hope for one more trip this year, and many more next summer.

If you have any interest in the next trip, please contact the Glenwood Parks and Recreation Department at 970-384-6301 or email Fabijanic at [email protected].

For more events, there is also an upcoming Day of Play and Provider Resource Fair slated for 1-4 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Glenwood Springs Community Center, 100 Wulfsohn Road. For information, visit https://webtrac.glenwoodrec.com/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=65430481&InterfaceParameter=1.

Aug 6, 2023

Aug 5, 2023

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Rafts head back to the loading dock at Two Rivers Park for adaptive rafting with the city of Glenwood Springs.Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.