Spina Bifida Water Sports Picnic was held Saturday, July 17th.

There are always way too many people to thank for their unconditional support. Without the financial support of C & R Medical Supplies & Lift-Aids and their personal involvement none of our free programs would be possible! It was over 100 degrees but the temperature did not dampen the spirits. The huge turnout of children with disabilities and family members enjoyed a full day of water skiing, jet skiing, water float rides, swimming, sailing, kayaking, golf, lawn games hand cycling, and lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs. A huge “Thank You” also goes to Albert Estes/Scottish Rite Hospital, Spina Bifida Board and staff and the large number of Volunteers that endured a long hot day of fun in the sun!

CLICK HERE for more photos of the event.

RISE Adventures Adaptive Water Sports Program is Profiled by 360 West Magazine

Read 360 West Magazine to see the article in the July issue.

Download the extracted pages in PDF format.

REACH Water Sports Picnic, Saturday, June 26, 2010- Recap

TEAM RISE Staff, Sponsors, and Volunteers,

From the bottom of my heart, I truly appreciate each and every one of you for your effort, presenting the REACH Water Sports Picnic. Your heartfelt compassion and unconditional support were truly inspiring. This was one of the best days of RISE Adventures short existence. I have written this many times and it seems so weak but, THANK YOU!! Read the rest of this entry »

Dallas Junior Wheelchair Mavericks Water Sports Picnic presented by RISE Adventures, Saturday, August 7th

Dallas Junior Wheelchair Mavericks Basketball has scheduled Saturday, August 7, 2010, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm for their Water Sports Picnic Presented by RISE Adventures. Contact Michelle Torina for more information at jrwcmavsprep@gmail.com.

Directions to Meadowmere Park Grapevine, TX.  Directions from the east: Go West on Hwy. 114 to Grapevine, Texas. Exit Kimball Road. Turn Right on Kimball Road. Turn Left into Meadowmere Park (approx. 1.7 mi.).
Proceed to Fee Station for further directions.  CLICK HERE for map.

RISE Adventures 2010 Summer Program Schedule.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE RISE SUMMER PROGRAM FLYER Read the rest of this entry »

RISE Water Sports Bring Family and Friends Together.

The RISE Adventures Water Sport Program at Grapevine Lake is a great opportunity to get friends and family out of the house and enjoying the outdoors together.  With 4 jet ski’s, several kayaks, a sailboat and a ski boat with adaptive water ski’s all in one place there are plenty of activities for everyone! My wife and son came with me this week and we had a blast!  We  jet skied for two hours and sailed for another hour.  There was no down time unless we wanted it!  We plan to keep going all summer because we had such an amazing experience!

Thanks RISE!!  Spencer Larimore

Rise has kicked off summer with a splash!!  Starting May 4, 2010 through August 31, 2010 every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 5 pm todusk. RISE combined Water Skiing, Jet Skiing, Kayaking, and Sailing into one activity that takes place at Lake View Park on Lake Grapevine.

Sailing is not limited to those days, we can schedule you on weekends as well.

We are asking that all participants contact me two days in advance for reservations.  This will ensure that we have enough equipment for everyone to enjoy, and ensure that we don’t overbook.

If you have any questions, Contact Annette Brauer abrauer@riseadventures.org or (972) 978-8903.

CLICK HERE to see more RISE Adventures water sport photos.

RISE Adventure’s Kayaking Gets Mentioned in The Star-Telegram

The Star-Telegram published a great article about beginner kayaking and how to get started.  They mention RISE Adventures in the article.  CLICK HERE to check it out.

RISE Kayaking Get’s Going for the Summer!

RISE Kayaking has started for the summer on the Trinity River, McInnish Park,  2340 Sandy Lake Road Carrollton, TX 75006.  Contact Annette Brauer at abrauer@riseadventures.org or (972) 978.8903.

Kevin is a paraplegic that had only kayaked in a swimming pool at a local event. He contacted RISE and wanted a real kayaking experience and the results are life changing. After just one activity he responded, “I just wanted to let you know that I had a great time the last two days of kayaking and would like to go ahead and register again for next Tues and Wed, weather permitting…”

CLICK HERE to see more photos from the event.

Kayaying in the Cold 11/21/09

It was a cloudy morning on Saturday, November 21, 2009. A few of us were planning to go hand cycling and kayaking. Since it rained the night before the hand cycling trails were completely under water so we went kayaking that day. It was a good thing we decided to go kayaking it was over cast but it was not to cold or hot it was perfect weather. We enjoyed ourselves exploring new areas that we haven’t been before while we were kayaking. I encourage everyone to go out and experience Kayaking.

Russell J. Amaya

To see more photos CLICK HERE.

RISE Kayaking on 09/05

The group of us, me (Mike), Rick, Peanut, Joey, Valerie and Justin had another incredible day on the water in Irving.  The river was flooded due to all the recent rain but that didn’t stop us.  I can say from experience the water was a taaaad bit cold but if you’re careful you would never know it was the middle of November.  Kayaking is great fun!  It’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy the Texas sun with friends and family!

RISE is still kayaking one day a week so be sure to check out the calendar for program dates!  Be sure to let us know if you want to attend so we know how many kayaks to bring.

Check out more of our kayaking pictures!

RISE End of Summer Bash V Smashes Attendance Record!

This year’s attendance more than doubled last years with 918 total persons in attendance; Disabilities 237, Family Members 344, Volunteers  220, and Vendors/Sponsors 117.  Thanks to everyone that attended and supported this year’s event. We would like to ask everyone to send us your stories, pictures, and comments about the event. We are also open to any constructive criticism to make improvements. Send pictures to slarimore@riseadventures.org.  Comments can be made online click here. To view the pictures already posted click here.

I love RISE kayaking! 6/24/09

I went kayaking with RISE for the first time on Wednesday and I had a great time. I have wanted to try kayaking for some time now but could never manage to find the time. It finally happened this week and boy am I glad it did. We spent a couple hours paddling up and back down the river. The scenery was great and the company was pretty good as well. It was nice to look around and see nothing but water and trees. The guys from RISE were top notch. Whatever I needed they were there. They helped me in and out of the boat. They had plenty of cold water and spray bottles to keep us cool on the hot north Texas day. They also made sure I was stable and felt comfortable in the kayak, making as many adjustments to my seating as I needed along the way. I had never been in a kayak before so it took a little time to get me in the right spot. Like I said, I had a great time kayaking with RISE and I can’t wait for the next time.  To view more photos click here.

Andy Burton

RISE Kayaking: DO NOT FEAR THE ALLIGATOR GAR!

RISE Kayaking is an excellent outdoor summer activity that anyone can do.   I’m s C-6 quad with limited hand grip and with in no time I was paddling nicely down the Trinity River.  RISE provided an adaptive glove that helped me grip the paddle with ease.  We also experimented with reverse duct tape that ended up working out the best.   The kayaks are very stable flat bottom boats so you don’t have to worry about tipping over and becoming Alligator gar food.  What’s an Alligator Gar you say?  Apparently there is a very large fish with a nasty mess of teeth living in the Trinity River, we did not see one but I will add some old photos to the gallery.   Other than the big, nasty fish that we didn’t see, the Trinity River is surrounded by beautiful trees that make you feel like you are far from the city!   I brought my wife and son and they had a blast!

Sam Houston Trail Park, 101 E. Interstate Highway 635, Irving, TX.

Take a nice trip down the Trinity River. To make reservations contact Paul Gray at pgray@riseadventures.org or 469.762.5075.

Click here for more photos

RISE Kayaking starts Wednesday, May 13th

RISE recently purchased new kayaks and is moving this program to every Wednesday nights starting May 13th throughout the summer. We are also moving this program to Lake Caroline in Irving. If you are interested in kayaking please contact Paul Gray @ pgray@riseadventures.org or 469.762.5075.

Volunteers Needed!

Volunteers! We need your support! Click here for details.

To become a TEAM RISE Volunteer, click here.

Thanks in advance for your support in helping us accomplish our mission!

Major Corporate Update

I founded RISE Adventures, Inc. on March 22, 2007 with the support of Steve Carlson. I am asked a lot of questions from our constituency about the overall status of RISE. As we approach our second birthday I felt it was important to provide a current corporate update. Transparency is important for all non-profit charitable organizations.

Read the rest of this entry »