37th Annual Adaptive Learn to Ski Event
January 15, 2018 – January 19, 2018
37th DS USA SPARC Beech Mt. Adaptive Learn to Ski/Snowboard Event January 15-19, 2018
The 37th Annual DSUSA SPARC Beech Mt. Adaptive Learn to Ski/Snowboard event is scheduled January 15-19, 2018. According to Al Kaye, event coordinator, this clinic is the oldest and largest adaptive alpine snow sport gathering in the south associated with Disabled Sports USA SPARC Chapter for individuals with disabilities. The motto is: “ If I can do this, I can do anything.” This year participants ranged in age from 4 to 75 from all over the southeast to include: visually impaired, brain and spinal injured, stroke survivors, amputees, neurological impairments, and congenital disabilities. The Beech Mt. event is known nationally for its special efforts to help teach the sport to those with life challenges. What also makes this event special is the ability to work with several military service veterans help them gain back a part of their lives.
Event History: This is the oldest adaptive ski clinic being the first of a group of national instructional clinics started by Disabled Sports USA which in its history was known as National Handicap Sports (NHS). The Atlanta Chapter of NHS assisted to develop the first clinic in 1981 and continued with it through 2004. The clinic is now run as a cooperative effort among programs all interested in the benefits of sports for individuals with disabilities with Beech Mountain Resort continuing to be our host with help from the Costin family whom we are especially grateful. The sponsors of this event donate to bring together the instructors, equipment, and resources necessary to teach skiing/snowboarding to individuals with disabilities in the southeast region.
Sponsors: We wish to thank all of our friends and sponsors for the DSUSA SPARC Beech Mt. Adaptive Learn to Ski/Board Event including: Beech Mountain Resort, Disabled Sports USA Chapter – SPARC of Chattanooga, Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center Innovative Recreation Cooperative Program of Knoxville, Ft. Sanders Foundation, Carolinas Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports and Adventure Program of Charlotte, Warfighters Sports Project, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Newman’s Own Foundation, Beech Meadows Ski Shop, Alpine Ski Center, and Southern Ski Shop. Over $80,000 of adaptive equipment is brought to the event so we can provide a multitude of snow experiences for the participants.
Instructors: The instructional team for the event is from all over the US and are PSIA Adaptive certified instructors with over 80 years of combined experience. The instructional team includes individuals from: Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, Crested Butte Adaptive Programs, Adaptive Adventures Program, and Cataloochee Adaptive Program. The team is composed of experienced instructors in monoski, biski, twin ski, 2, 3, & 4 tracking, slider, visually impaired and snowboard instruction.
Participants: The participants come from all over the southeast region including: NC, SC, GA, TN, and VA. Ages range from age 4 to 70+ with a variety of diagnoses to include: brain and spinal injured, amputees, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, developmental delayed, spinal muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, visually impaired, and a whole host of other neurological and orthopedic challenges. We are supportive of our military and work with veterans and active military in our region. We try to focus on family and have families participate in the event as much as possible. The motto of DSUSA is, “If I can do this, I can do anything,” inspires many to give alpine sport a try.
Registration: Please contact Al Kaye at akaye@covhlth.com or call 865-331-1353 for more information on the adaptive snow sport event. Registration will open end of November for the 37th Annual DSUSA – SPARC Beech Mt. Resort Adaptive Learn to Ski/Snowboard Event.
Venue
Beech Mountain Resort
1007 Beech Mountain Parkway
Beech Mountain, NC 28604 United States
Phone:
828-387-2011
Website:http://www.beechmountainresort.com
Organizer
Beech Mountain Resort
Phone:
800-438-2093
Website:www.beechmountainresort.com
