SPORTS
A debilitating injury or medical condition can drastically change a person’s ability to pursue activities which they previously enjoyed. The loss of the ability to participate in activities, sports, and pastimes that previously brought joy are sometimes just as hard to come to terms with as the injury itself. Accessing outdoor spaces with a disability or even a temporary injury, can be a daunting task. Accessibility issues such as parking, increased distance between parking space and destination, limited or inadequate walkways for mobility aides such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and crutches, and uneven surfaces such as sand, gravel, stairs can significantly reduce access to the great outdoors. The world of adaptive sports can open doors to participation in outdoor recreation again.
There is a wide variety of Adaptive sports programs on the East coast, especially in New England.. While some programs are geared towards children, others programs are designed for individuals of all ages or Veterans. Adaptive surfing, skiing, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, sailing, rowing, and swimming are a few adaptive sports available within driving distance of Rhode Island. However, if you are not the type to drive north of the tower, here are a few programs that exist here in South County!
University of Rhode Island: Adaptive surfing programs for children
AmpSurf: Adaptive surf program clinics from Maine to RI. From June to September - all ages and abilities welcome
Sail to Prevail Newport: Adaptive sailing open for all ages
Veterans Association Summer Sports Clinics: Week long adaptive sport clinic including kayaking, surfing, sailing, and handcycling. Applications and eligibility requirements are located on the VA website
Now if you are ready to pack a snack and brave the drive up I-95, Massachusetts and New Hampshire have several great programs as well. There is still time to take advantage of the snow while we have it!
New England Disabled Sports (NEDS) at Loon Mountain: Adaptive skiing, snowboarding, show shoeing, Nordic skiing as well as summer programs including kayaking, climbing, and cycling
New England Healing Sport Association (NEHSA) at Mount Sunapee: adaptive skiing (stand and sit skis), adaptive snowboarding, and snow biking. Summer programs include hiking, kayaking, and paddleboarding
Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, MA: A small but mighty adaptive skiing program, and is closer to Rhode Island than many of the larger New Hampshire resorts.
Adaptive Sport New England: A fantastic resource including an extensive list of programs for the Boston and greater Boston area.
***Depending on the program and organization, some events and lessons are free for participants. Please see their websites for specifics.***
While Covid has limited the availability of some programs, many have continued to provide lessons and services despite the global pandemic. Many of these programs are non-profit and volunteer based. Volunteers at all levels of experience and ability are usually welcomed at most programs. After all, even surf or ski lessons need someone to help with setting up or crossing names off at check in! If you are interested in any of the programs above or need to fulfill a volunteer requirement for work or school, consider adaptive sports!
Adaptive sports have changed the way I think about the outdoors and continue to prove that people are capable of anything if they are willing to try. Over the past 6 years I have been a volunteer, and now an instructor for adaptive surf lessons. The one thing that I always find is that ….
The best surfer in the water is the one having the most fun!
If you can’t get enough of adaptive sports, the US Paralympic team will be competing from March 4th to March 13th in Beijing. These athletes are competing on an international level. Go team USA !
