INNOVATEAble Winner, BoardSafe Docks, Is Making Waves with Its Adaptive Kayak Launch

BoardSafe Docks, a first place winner in TravelAbility’s 2025 INNOVATEAble Pitchfest,  has built its reputation on designing and manufacturing specialized, accessible waterfront products. Among its most notable accessible innovations is the Adaptive Kayak Launch, first developed in 2014 at Leaser Lake in Kempton, PA.

Watch project video here: 

Today, BoardSafe offers a full range of customized products, including adaptive kayak launches, courtesy boat docks, accessible fishing piers, gangways, pedestrian bridges, and rowing centers. With more than 20 years of experience, the company is recognized as a trusted leader in the commercial dock-building industry, providing turnkey solutions from design through manufacturing and installation for projects nationwide.

BoardSafe’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its craftsmanship, customer service, and ability to solve complex accessibility challenges.

The Adaptive Kayak Launch was born out of collaboration. In 2014, the Kempton Area Lions Club, Leaser Lake Heritage Foundation, and Team River Runner, an adaptive paddling organization, approached BoardSafe seeking a safer, more accessible way to get paddlers with mobility challenges onto the water. Their group was growing, their needs were becoming more diverse, and they were challenged in finding a safe way to access the water for paddling.

Working closely with paddlers in wheelchairs, BoardSafe’s engineering and manufacturing team refined design features, tested ideas, and eliminated barriers. The result was an innovative launch system that made safe, independent, and inclusive access possible. That project set the foundation for BoardSafe’s line of ADA-compliant gangways and universally accessible products.

The Problem a BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch Solves

Traditional docks and launches often present barriers for people with mobility challenges. BoardSafe’s Accessible and Adaptive Kayak Launch addresses these obstacles with features such as:

• ADA-compliant aluminum gangway
• Parallel boat slide for stable entry
• Tiered boarding bench with pull-out seat
• Roll cage with overhead grab bar and hand straps, and pull bars
• A cradle that keeps the kayak steady when entering and exiting

These elements ensure safe, independent, and universal access for all paddlers, including those who use wheelchairs, older adults, children, and beginners. The inclusive design makes it possible for everyone to enjoy the freedom and recreation of paddling.

Common Uses

BoardSafe works with landscape architects, city planners, and engineers to create or enhance access to lakes, rivers, streams, and coastal areas. Their primary customers include:

• Municipalities, counties, and state parks
• Water trail organizations
• Urban and commercial waterfront revitalization projects

Because the docks and gangways are floating systems, they adapt to fluctuating water levels caused by flooding or tides, making them well-suited for a wide variety of environments.

Factors That Influence Pricing

The cost of a BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch depends on several variables:

• Size and complexity – Larger or more advanced systems require additional materials and labor.
• Materials – Durable, commercial-grade aluminum adds long-term value but increases upfront costs.
• Custom options – Adaptive features like grab bars, pull straps, or tiered benches are tailored to user needs.
• Gangway and chute length – Length depends on site conditions and ADA slope requirements; some reach 100 feet.
• Installation site – Geography, water conditions, and anchoring needs determine overall system design.
• Foundation requirements – Options range from precast foundations to poured concrete for high-current or tidal areas.
• Installation process – Labor, equipment, tools, and insurance are included in project costs.

BoardSafe offers a wide range of modular components that can be customized to site-specific conditions. Project costs vary greatly—from as little as $20,000 for a simple clip-a-launch to several hundred thousand dollars for complex, large-scale systems. Because of the many variables, precise pricing requires a site evaluation and engineering. Boardsafe offers an initial consultation free of charge.