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C o N s e R V A t I o N
Fish-ability.
Photo: josh harveL
[ P R O f I L e ] Harvel takes his paddling to another level, wheelchairs with no motor function at all.
too, as a volunteer for Lee County Parks and But there are four or five different types of
Leveling
Recreation on the Calusa Blueway Paddling CP and the degree to which people with CP
Trail. “It’s not just about using the waterways are challenged is varied. I’ve been lucky to
or recreating on them,” the lean angler said. only have leg-related issues. When I get in a
“It’s about giving back to your community.” kayak, I’m the same as the next guy in terms
Harvel chatted with us about his fishing, of what I can accomplish. I’d like people
the Field
kayaking, volunteering and disability. with disabilities everywhere to not let their
disabilities hold them back. Do what you can
Fishing speaks to me. I’ve fished since
and do it to the fullest.
age three, but my life changed to a fishing
JOSH HArveL KAYAKS
frenzy at 13 when my family relocated from
One thing i truly enjoy. The thing about
Illinois to Cape Coral, Florida, where pristine
kayak fishing is that I’m able to compete and
BeCAUSe He LoveS To fISH
backbays teem with snook, redfish, tarpon
do very well in tournaments against people
—AND BeCAUSe IT DoeSN’T
and sea trout. It’s a wonder it took me more
without disabilities. The anglers and other
INvoLve WALKING than 15 years to discover the best way to catch
kayakers see you as an equal, which is nice
fish—from a kayak. My favorite fishing is
having grown up with a disability and getting
BY BeTSY CLAYTON
tailing redfish—artificial bait, early morning,
treated differently by a lot of people. That’s
just human nature. But it’s nice when the
J
osh Harvel, a 34-year-old husband and
low tide on the grass flats. It’s perfect.
father living on Southwest Florida’s Gulf
playing field appears level.
Tournaments have my name on them. I
Coast, was born with cerebral palsy and walks
do an occasional redfish tournament when
On giving back. I help with Little League and
with a severe limp. However, his upper body
a buddy invites me on his powerboat, but
The Blueline Fund. One day, a client asked if
has never been affected and that’s the main
mainly I stick to kayak fishing tournaments. I
I’d thought about helping out the Calusa
reason he took up kayaking five years ago.
did eight last year. I’ve never placed anything
Blueway. It made sense. I’m on the water daily
“People with disabilities are able to get on
out of the top four of any tournament I’ve
so I could help with trail maintenance. Since
the water and have a good time while getting
entered. Kayak tournaments are more like a
then, I’ve started helping out with other stuff,
some exercise,” said Harvel, who fishes up to a
family of anglers than guys trying to one-up
too. I also volunteer with the Calusa Blueway
dozen tournaments annually and also guides
each other. I like the camaraderie.
Paddling Festival’s annual kayak fishing
for his business, Yaknitup Kayak Charters, tournament, for which I’m an organizer.
and a colleague’s business, Kayak Excursions. misconceptions. A lot of people assume Everybody who knows me knows how much
“It feels great to catch fish from a kayak.” folks with cerebral palsy (CP) are people in I love kayak fishing tournaments.
kayakanglermag.com
…
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