Adaptive Ski Program enters 8th Season at Calabogie Peaks with Continued Growth
Clay Dawdy, Program Co-ordinator for Calabogie’s Adaptive Ski Program displays the new
sit-skis purchased for this upcoming ski season. Dawdy explains that the new junior and senior sit-skis manufactured by “Freedom Factory” for people confined to wheelchairs will provide additional custom fitting options to those already provided by the existing “Mountain Man” and “Yeti” models.
Demand for the Canadian Association Disabled Ski Program at Calabogie Peaks continues to be high. Entering its 8th season, the Sunday program is expected to accommodate 45-50 skiers assisted by 60-70 volunteers. “It’s hard to believe that we started with 8 skiers, 2 sit-skis and a handful of dedicated volunteers 8 years ago” stated Bob Gilmour, the program’s Volunteer Supervisor and one of its founding members. “Today, we have a total of 13 sit-ski, snow sliders (basically walkers on skis), adaptive snowboard equipment and a variety of other equipment to assist our skiers in coming down the slopes”.
The 8-week program starts on January 8th. Morning and afternoon programs are offered for new skiers with full-day programs are offered to those more experienced and independent skiers. Instructor and volunteer training will take place in December with a full-day follow-up session scheduled for Jan 29. Emphasis is always on “Safety, Fun, and Learning how to ski” in that order explained Dawdy. Skier registration is scheduled for Sunday, Oct 16, 1.30 pm at Calabogie Peaks main Ski Lodge with Volunteer registration scheduled for the following Sunday, Oct 23 at the same time and place.
The highly successful Community Living Day for challenged adults from the Renfrew and Arnprior areas will enter its 7th season and be held on the first Monday in February. Last year, approximately 25 instructors and volunteers introduced 22 adults from the Community Living program to the sport of skiing resulting in lots of smiles from people that normally view ice and snow as the enemy. Also, the Peaks “Higher Education Program” involving weekday visits by public and high schools continues to support inclusion for disabled skiers using the Peaks Snow School assisted by volunteers as required.
The successful Winter Sports Clinic for injured Canadian military personnel will be repeated February 12-16, 2012 and is expected to provide ski and snowboard training to 12-15 disabled veterans. The clinic also includes other activities such as swimming designed to challenge the participants to expand their ability, skills and confidence.
Both Dawdy and Gilmour stated that they are “in the smile business”, but admitted they didn’t know who was smiling more, the skiers or the volunteers……. Further information can be obtained on the website www.cads-ncd/calabogie
