The Outdoor Weblog

The organization expanded from its headquarters at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to open franchises at Veterans Affairs hospitals in seven cities.

Its Colorado river trip crew – the elite, most dedicated paddlers in the program – grew from eight veterans last year to 16 this year.

Veterans with injuries ranging from double leg amputation to post traumatic stress disorder spent Sunday running the Arkansas River from Big Bend to Salida. Monday, some tried the Class III whitewater of Browns Canyon while another group paddled and picnicked at the whitewater park in Salida.

Team River Runner founder Joe Mornini calls it therapeutic recreation.

"We're working to develop the best practices for adaptive kayaking and create ways for (veterans) to boat with various disabilities they get from their service," Mornini said.

"We're trying to give them an opportunity to get outside what has them in the VA hospitals."

Andy Soule of Texas lost both his legs in 2005 while on patrol in Afghanistan. Six months later, he was in a pool at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio learning to kayak.

He'd never attempted the sport before.

"It looked like a really cool sport and something I knew I could definitely do," he said.

Soule's boat is adapted to fit what's left of his upper legs. A wooden crossbar and dual socket system, which Mornini helped fabricate when the group arrived in Denver last week, gives Soule the boat control he needs. His torso, arms and chest do the rest of the work in the water.