Owner and Industrial Designer Mark Ellingwood developed ProPel Paddles because of his love for the outdoors and a deep desire to provide tools and equipment for people who have limited choices in current equipment due to varying physical abilities. Current products for people with differing abilities are limited and when available are cold and sterile medical appearing devices.  His inspiration is his Six year old son Noah who was born with an upper limb difference (right arm above the elbow), a condition that affects about 1 in 10,000 newborns.

      Mark is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design in Industrial Design. During his senior year he integrated the principles of universal design into many inclusive products and architectural elements. He took part in a studio that focused on breaking down physical barriers on a resort in St. John’s U.S. Virgin Islands. As part of his senior thesis at RISD, he created the concept for ProPel paddles in order to expand areas of opportunity in outdoor recreation equipment for people who have varying upper body abilities.

     ProPel Paddles is the result of extensive research and development. The goal is to break down barriers, integrate style and design, and make the paddles available to the widest range of people possible. If you have any questions or comments,  please contact us directly at: info@propelpaddles.com .