ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
24.07.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Physical Disabilities Can't Stop People From Snowboarding

Author: Jim Garza Author Ranking Blue | Posted: 20-05-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 2 | Rating:  (168) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.

Non-profit organizations are helping to disprove the common notion that disabled people cannot participate in sports. They are actively training disabled people to develop skiing and snowboarding skills and to compete in competitions.

For those that still believe that the loss of a limb makes someone unable to play sports, I strongly recommend that they see the film "Murder Ball", a little seen 2005 documentary about wheel chair rugby, where athletes missing one or more limbs go all out in full contact mode to win a championship. I guarantee that anyone after seeing this movie will have a lot more respect for those with disabilities among us.

Snowboarding is widely considered an "extreme sport." It gained mass exposure and popularity in the U.S. during the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Park City, Utah. Snowboarding can be a difficult sport to master as it combines elements of surfing, skateboarding and skiing. Yet, these days, we're finding more and more people with disabilities on the snowboarding slopes.

A prime example of organizations working with disabled persons to help them achieve their full potential is Challenge Alaska which has worked with disabled athletes in Alaska for over twenty years. They are a non-profit organization that provides sports and therapeutic recreation opportunities for those with disabilities. This past winter, they worked with developmentally disabled students of all ages, instructing more than one thousand lessons, to teach them skiing and snowboarding skills.

A type of snowboarding that is becoming more popular for those with physical disabilities is Adaptive Snowboarding. Similar to the rugby sport mentioned above, adaptive snowboarding allows partially disabled sportsmen and women to participate in their sport. Although Adaptive Skiing has been around for a while, many people are just starting to become aware of Adaptive Snowboarding.

The sport is relatively new but manufacturers are already beginning to develop specialized snowboards and equipment built around the sport. Counts vary as to how many adaptive riders there are in the country with no one having a hard number, but everyone agrees that it's popularity is growing rapidly. The short term goal is to eventually have Adaptive Snowboarding included as an athletic competition in the Winter Paralympic Games, possibly as soon as the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Whistler.

One organization at the forefront of teaching the sport of Adaptive Snowboarding is the non profit U.S. Adaptive Recreation Center at the Bear Mountain Ski Resort in California. They have a full staff of recreational therapists on board to lead and monitor the training. They accept people with disabilities of all types including blindness, autism, spinal cord injuries, missing limbs, partial paralysis, and many others. Adaptive Snowboard Training, consisting of one-on-one sessions, costs less than $100 a day which includes the cost of lift tickets and equipment.

Organizations like the Adaptive Recreation Center and Challenge Alaska are true to the idea that we can do anything if we put our minds to it and that our capabilities are more than our physical limitations. They have proven that snowboarding and other extreme sports can be enjoyed by people with a wide variety of disabilities if they are simply given the confidence to try and the equipment and opportunity to shine.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/extreme-sports-articles/physical-disabilities-cant-stop-people-from-snowboarding-420742.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:

Jim Garza is the owner and webmaster of www.snowboardingmarketplace.com, a winter sports web site specializing in articles and information on snowboard sizing guidelines and other snowboarding topics.

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

Snowboarding Classes for Beginners
By: Jim Garza | 22/10/2007 | Extreme Sports
Snowboarding, since it's introduction in 1965, has become an extremely popular sport - the second most popular winter sport in the United States. It is the fastest growing winter sport in the U.S. Only skiing remains more popular.

Preventing Snowboarding Injuries
By: Jim Garza | 05/12/2007 | Extreme Sports
Snowboarding is called an extreme sport, and with good reason. If you are a snow boarder, your odds of sustaining some type of injuring during your snowboarding activities are more than 50%.

Avoid Mistakes in Choosing Your First Snowboard
By: Jim Garza | 31/03/2008 | Extreme Sports
The next decision you will probably make is whether you should get a men's snowboard or a woman's snowboard. For men and boys, the decision is simple - get a men's snowboard. Women, however, have a choice.

Choosing the Right Snowboard for Your Style
By: Jessica Deets | 27/12/2005 | Fitness
Snowboarding is one of those sports that can get expensive very quickly, so you want to make sure to choose the right gear for your style. By careful searching, you can save yourself from spending $500 on the wrong type of snowboard... and still enjoy the

Ski Insurance - Snowboarding Insurance - Ski Travel Insurance UK
By: Ani Ben | 10/10/2007 | Vacation Rentals
Instant online ski and snowboarding insurance. Receive your uk insurance certificate & policy immediately online and via email.

How Does Snow Making Work?
By: Justin Leniger | 25/04/2008 | Extreme Sports
A clear yet informative description of snowmaking.

A Brief Overview Of The Game Of Ice Hockey
By: Gregg Hall | 02/01/2008 | Hockey
The game of ice hockey can get fierce and dangerous because you can get checked across the ice and even get into a fight and the refs allow it. Ice hockey is unlike any other winter sport. You glide across the ice on a pair of ice skates and try to hit a black puck that is heavy into a net.

Snowboarding - Selecting The Right Snowboard
By: Mike Singh | 15/01/2006 | Travel
There are several aspects to consider when selecting your snowboard. Find out which ones are important ...

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you find the name of an Olympic winner from ...
By: JessicaZH | 10-07-2008
Can you find the name of an Olympic winner from Kentucky whose first name is Barbara and I think it was in track and I'm not sure about the year.

Vip soccer tickets
By: FCB Ronaldinho x | 09-07-2008
how do you get vip tickets to soccer games? ex: the fc barcelona vs. new york red bulls game?

Longest game
By: Rick Piemontese | 09-07-2008
What is the longest game the Braves played at Fulton County Stadium?

1999 Topss Embossed Lizmark Jr. Autographed card?
By: Shadow77 | 09-07-2008
I am looking for a 1999 Topps WCW Embossed Lizmark Jr. autographed card to complete my set of autographs.  Does anyone know where I can find this card at?  Any help is appreciated.  Thank you, Adam

2007 british open results
By: Betty | 09-07-2008
I would like a list of players in the 2007 golf british open tournament and the results

Hendrick motorsport tours
By: kamoore36 | 08-07-2008
can you tour hendrick motorsports shop in north carolina?

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Extreme Sports Articles

How to Care for your Carabiners
By: Jeffry Evans | 23/07/2008
Great article with tips and tricks for keeping your carabiners in top working order.

The Easiest Way to Book Your Vikings Football Tickets
By: Al Terry | 23/07/2008
A history of the Vikings NFL team with some of the great moments and players in the franchise history.

Formula1 - Coulthard Announces His Retirement
By: Emeli Dean | 23/07/2008
After 15 years in the Formula One the British race driver Coulthard announces now his end of career for the end of the present season. How Coulthard’s life will continue beyond the Formula One is still not been said but he said in an interview that he is open for future engagements in another form in the motorsports section...

Quad Biking and Clay Pigeon Shooting
By: Synapse India | 23/07/2008
Quad biking and Clay Shooting are enthralling and thrilling activities to rejuvenate your mood. Each sport boosts your X-factor to encourage you to cross your limits to take challenges.

8 Skateboarding Safety Tips
By: Dean Pugliese | 22/07/2008
This article will give you eight often neglected safety tips. Skateboarding can be dangerous. Follow these tips to make it safer and overall more fun!

National Indoor Stadium
By: Livebeijingupdates | 22/07/2008
Livebeijingupdates.com gives you an insight of National Indoor Stadium, venue for Beijing Olympics.

Celebrating Stag Activities in Bristol
By: Synapse India | 22/07/2008
Bristol, the name itself gives a picture of unlimited fun and adventure for everyone. Better known as a comic city, Bristol offers unique possibilities for organizing happening stag weekends. Indulge in any activity that gets you pleasure and joy.

What to Look for in Airsoft Guns
By: Greg Howard | 22/07/2008
Selecting the right airsoft gun can be difficult given the various factors to be looked at. We look at what you need to consider when choosing one.

More from Jim Garza

Avoid Mistakes in Choosing Your First Snowboard
By: Jim Garza | 31/03/2008 | Extreme Sports
The next decision you will probably make is whether you should get a men's snowboard or a woman's snowboard. For men and boys, the decision is simple - get a men's snowboard. Women, however, have a choice.

Preventing Snowboarding Injuries
By: Jim Garza | 05/12/2007 | Extreme Sports
Snowboarding is called an extreme sport, and with good reason. If you are a snow boarder, your odds of sustaining some type of injuring during your snowboarding activities are more than 50%.

Snowboarding Classes for Beginners
By: Jim Garza | 22/10/2007 | Extreme Sports
Snowboarding, since it's introduction in 1965, has become an extremely popular sport - the second most popular winter sport in the United States. It is the fastest growing winter sport in the U.S. Only skiing remains more popular.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below