Take It Outside!

By Colette Van Haaren

Sunny, balmy weather is just around the corner, and that’s cause to celebrate if you enjoy spring and summer sports. If your position in outdoor activities is usually “spectator,” it’s time to get in the game. “It’s never too late to start a new sport,” says Jane Blaine, executive director of the Canadian Blind Sports Association. Not only are there many adaptive sports available, but there are also organizations to help you make the right connections.

We’ve put together a guide to some of the most popular activities for people with disabilities, including a description of each sport and how to get started. Try the organizations listed, or check community centres, fitness centres and schools in your area for activities. Join the millions of Canadians who have discovered the health benefits – and sheer fun factor – of getting and staying physically active.

CYCLING
There are several types of adapted bikes, including recumbent bikes, hand cycles, tandems and quad cycles (four wheels, or two bikes side by side). Inquire at your bike shops about renting or buying. People who are blind or have low vision can team up with a sighted partner on a tandem bike, which seats riders one behind the other. Riders with hearing disabilities can enjoy tandem cycling, too, with their own interpreters. Lower-limb amputees or paraplegics can try a hand cycle. Look for adaptations and models best suited to your needs.

GET STARTED
The Trailblazers, based in Toronto, are a recreational tandem cycling club for people with no or low vision. A $40 annual fee gives access to tandem bikes in bike sheds in the Greater Toronto Area. Activities include group rides, day and weekend trips, and social events. Bring a helmet.
Phone: Lynda Spinney at 416-456-7117
Website: www.torontotrailblazers.org
E-mail: info@torontotrailblazers.org

National Capital Visually Impaired Sports Association has a tandem cycling club in the Ottawa area. The $10 annual fee also includes access to activities such as hiking, whitewater rafting and camping.
Phone: Manon Valin at 613-829-3183
Website: www.ncscd.ca/
NCVISAPage.html
E-mail: tenanga@quixnet.net

At Bikeface Cycling in Durham, Ontario, hand cycles start at $1,200, tandems at $1,050 and recumbents at $749. It also offers a combo hand cycle/upright bike.
Phone: 519-369-2449
Website: www.bikeface.com
E-mail: info@bikeface.com

Skeldon Bike Co. sells The Granny Bike, a kit that converts two bikes into one quad bike. $127 U.S. and up.
Phone: 705-740-0194
Website: www.thegrannybike.com

HORSEBACK RIDING
People with a wide range of physical and intellectual disabilities ride horses for therapy or enjoyment. It’s a great feeling to be on the back of a powerful animal, and believe it or not, it’s a good low-impact workout, especially for muscles of the inner thigh, abs and back. Adaptive equipment includes different saddle designs, padding, reins and safety stirrups.

GET STARTED
Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) promotes riding for children and adults with disabilities through education and an instructor certification programs at 100 centres across Canada. Riding fees are $30 to $40 per hour, more for instruction. Many centres offer a sliding scale for those who can’t afford full rates, and some offer subsidies and scholarships.
Phone: 519-767-0700
Website: www.cantra.ca

GOLF
Adaptive carts, such as The Sport, have a swivel seat, so golfers with mobility disabilities can play sitting down. Inquire at clubs in your area. Rent golf clubs, or expect to spend $500 and up for your own set. Green fees range from $20 to $100, depending on the course. If it’s your first time, ask the staff about appropriate attire.

GET STARTED
The Canadian Amputee Golf Association brings together amputee golfers from across the country to share their love of the game. It charges $25 annually or $150 for a lifetime membership.
Phone: 403-256-1884
Website: www.caga.ca

The Canadian Deaf Golf Association develops the golf program nationally, including programs for juniors, and recruits top golfers for the World Deaf Golf Championship. $10 yearly fee.
Website: www.cdga.net

In Kitchener, Ontario, the KW Golf Committee presents workshops for youths and adults with mobility disabilities in May and June. $10 for a two-hour clinic and $25 for three one-hour lessons. Use of an adaptive golf cart is included.
Phone: Kathy Braun at 519-741-2228
TTY/TDD: 519-741-2385
E-mail: kathy.braun@city.kitchener.on.ca

Access Sea to Sky rents an adaptive golf cart to clients who book their golfing in the Whistler, B.C., area. They may deliver the cart to the course for free, depending on location.
Phone: 1-888-244-5611 or 604-905-2570
Website: www.accessseatosky.com

Adaptive golf cars are made by E-Z-Go, Club Car, Yamaha, Golf Xpress and Fun Mobility Products. Golf Xpress also lists adaptive golf car-accessible courses in B.C., Ontario and the U.S. online.
Website: www.golfxpress.com/accessible.htm

Mayfair Lakes Golf and Country Club in Richmond, B.C., offers adaptive golf and accessible parking and locker rooms.
Phone: 604-276-0505
Website: www.accessrichmond.ca/recreation/mayfairlakes.html

WHEELCHAIR TENNIS
In tennis, people who use wheelchairs can play against able-bodied opponents or with able-bodied partners. Wheelchair tennis is played on a regular court using an adapted sports wheelchair. Regular rules apply, but wheelchair players may let the ball bounce twice instead of once. To serve, players may let the ball drop or have another person drop the ball.

Look for courts at community centres, gyms and schools. Racquets start at $40 at sporting goods stores. If you want to buy a sports chair, expect to shell out $4,000 for a manual chair, and $13,000 for a power chair.

GET STARTED
Read game rules on the website of the National Capital Wheelchair Tennis Association, which also lists events. The association charges an annual $5 fee plus $5 per program. It has several tennis chairs and racquets for loan.
Website: www.magma.ca/~ncwta

WATER-SKIING AND TUBING
People who have visual disabilities can try water-skiing with a sighted guide, while athletes who are paraplegic or quadriplegic can use a sit ski. Amputees can ski with or without a prosthesis, using regular equipment.

Another popular wet ’n’ wild activity is tubing, a towed water sport. It is available through most water-ski programs and people with disabilities won’t need special gear.

GET STARTED
Contact Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada for info about water-skiing and tubing. It also offers Kan Ski, an adaptive water-ski loan program. There is no charge for using the gear, but participants must be members. The annual fee is about $40 and varies by province. Adaptive clinic prices also vary, ranging from no cost to $50 a day.
Phone: 613-526-0685
Website: www.waterskiwakeboard.ca/adapted_e.htm

Mesle Canada Water Ski School in Ottawa offers tubing, beginner waterskiing and advanced slalom, tricks and jumping on the Rideau River. $10 for a tubing session and $25 for a SkiAbility lesson or advanced session. Discounts for groups of five or more.
Phone: Pat Messner at 613-253-0500 (in summer, 613-521-3921)
Website: www.waterskirideau.com

SCUBA DIVING
Scuba diving is one of the pricier activities, but many people get hooked the first time they try it. (For more about diving, see page 54.) Gear requirements vary depending on disability. Rent or buy your own mask, snorkel, integrated weights and fins (total to buy: about $300). Expect to pay $250 and up for instruction.

GET STARTED
Handicapped Scuba Association
Find a Canadian instructor: www.hsascuba.com/scripts/

find_instructors.php Freedom at Depth Canada Based in Gatineau, Quebec, FDAC has more than 15 years’ experience helping people with disabilities become certified in scuba diving and feel confident underwater. It uses HSA or PADI curriculum depending on students’ needs.
Phone: 819-770-4629
Website: www.freedomatdepth.ca
E-mail: hchretien@sympatico.ca

SAILING
There are many programs that offer sailing equipment and training for people with disabilities. Keith Hobbs, chair of accessible sailing for the Canadian Yachting Association, says, “Sailing is probably the most accessible form of recreation and sport for persons with a significant disability, and it is available to persons with most types of disability.”

GET STARTED
Through its member provincial sailing associations, clubs, schools and camps, the Canadian Yachting Association offers introductory to international-level sailing for people with disabilities. Costs for lessons and recreational sailing vary from a free intro session to $10 per hour, depending on local funding.
Phone: 1-877-416-4720
Website: For general info, visit www.sailing.ca/learnmore/disabilities.
To find provincial programs, visit www.sailing.ca/services/organizations/provincial.shtm.
E-mail: sailcanada@sailing.ca and keith.c.hobbs@sympatico.ca

National Capital Sports Council of the Disabled/AbleSail offers adapted programs and accessible sailboats at the Nepean Sailing Club in Nepean, Ontario. Links on its website also offer info about adaptive sailing in Ontario and New Brunswick.
Phone: 613-569-7632 for the NCSCD or 613-829-6462 for the Nepean Sailing Club
Websites: www.ncscd.ca/AbleSail.html and http://nsc.ca/ablesail/ablesail.htm

If your community does not offer a sailing program, consider hiring Access BOOM, a mobile sail school that resides in Ontario but has ventured as far as the Maritimes to facilitate new programs.
Website: http://ontariosailing.ca/Programs/BOOM/Boom_Mobiles.php

KAYAKING AND ROWING
Gliding across water in a one- or two-person kayak or rowboat is fun and easy to learn.

GET STARTED
Power to Be Adventure Therapy Society in Victoria, B.C., offers one- and two-person kayaks. Last year’s fees were $25 for two hours, including instruction and adaptive equipment. No membership fees.
Phone: 250-656-0166
Website: www.powertobe.ca

Rowing Canada Aviron assists clubs in setting up adaptive rowing programs. Inquire about programs in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Availability of adaptive equipment varies by location. Many people with disabilities can use regular equipment.
Phone: 1-877-RCA-GROW (722-4769)
Website: www.rowingcanada.org/en/sport/adaptive/index.html
E-mail: allison@rowability.com

Colette van Haaren is a freelance writer living in Montreal. She can be reached at cvanhaaren@sympatico.ca.

MORE DISABILITY SPORTS

Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability
Phone: 1-800-771-0663 or 613-244-0052
Website: www.ala.ca

Active Living Resource Centre for Ontarians with a Disability
Phone: 519-568-7083
Website: www.getactivenow.ca

Canadian Amputee Sports Association
Website: www.interlog.com/ampsport

Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association
Phone: 1-866-247-9934 or 613-748-1430
Website: www.ccpsa.ca

Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association
Phone: 613-523-0004
Website: www.cwsa.ca