Senior News July, 2003 Vol. 23. No. 6

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Love of water leads to manufacturing and sharing with others

Well respected director takes helm at HSRC

Senior Employment Program is increased

Del Norte: Center provides information and guides to history and activities

Fortuna explores senior needs

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Clamming on Humboldt Bay. Riding on the landing craft are Tim Wing driving the boat; Pat Morey, far right; Shel Frank, seated center; and Pat Larson in the back.

Picture Easter Sunday, 7 a.m., south Humboldt Bay, overcast and cool, and riding in a 35-foot aluminum landing craft on your way to dig Martha Washington, horse-neck and steamer clams. That is what Bill Wing was doing with a group of friends that included Shel Frank. Shel is 83 years young, and she was enjoying herself that morning while watching the clam digging. She had coffee and donuts and lots of laughs that day.
Bill Wing, president of Wing Inflatables, is a fun guy. His office is filled with all kinds of odd stuff-literally filled with souvenirs from rafting trips and travels, advertising from customers, lots and lots of toys, at least a dozen hats hanging from fake antlers, and all kinds of electronic gadgets everywhere.
Bill's idea of fun usually involves water and all kinds of boats, rafting, kayaking, and canoeing. Whenever he is having fun, there are also lots of people. For Bill people are fun and he can't help but share it.
Lowell Wing, who died earlier this year, and his son Bill, used to kayak together. Bill was eleven in 1967 and still talks about that time with his dad. Being on the water together and having fun drove Bill's idea of a rafting company, so Electric Raft Company was created. Then the idea of building a better raft than he could buy evolved into Wing Inflatables, which now makes much more than rafts.
This might be enough, but not for Bill Wing. His desire to have fun with people has him involved with people who would not have otherwise been able to have the experience of being on the water.
He created Disabled Adventure Outfitters to introduce people with disabilities to the wonders of outdoor recreation. Bill, Bret Leach, Stephen Keale and Kyle Bebb started DAO after Bill had taken Bret and a group of other hemophiliacs on a river trip with the Electric Raft Company. It was one of many trips they took together, and while sitting around a campfire they dreamed up the idea of disabled adventures and said "why not?" There are now summer camps, one- to five-day trips, and they are looking forward to purchasing their own property.
Now Shel, after four hours on the bay, is still full of energy and enthusiasm as the landing craft is taken from the bay. Along with Bill, his brother Tim, Tim's son, Patricia Morey and Pat Larsen, they have about 75 clams to show for the early morning jaunt. What an Easter morning!
Catherine LaFleur is payroll specialist for Wing Inflatables in Arcata. The company's clients include the US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Wing has also designed the HandiCat, a boat designed to carry wheelchairs and to give people with disabilities more access to water adventures. He also teaches swiftwater rescue and boat handling techniques to state and federal agencies like NASA and the Navy. Wing's web site is www.wing.com, and the schedule for Disabled Adventure Outfitters can be found at www.special adventures.org.