Adaptive Snowboarding
Pipelines, shredding, jibbers, and boardercross are all part of the colourful trappings of what’s attracting winter sports lovers to snowboarding.....“Originally embraced by preteen and adolescent males who adapted ocean ssurfing and the fracture-prone sport of skate boarding to the more forgiving environs of powdered slopes, snowboarding has taken off. Though skiing, its more patrician Great Uncle, still rules, snowboarding by its sheer exuberance and invitation to daring antics is increasingly drawing new fans.”Most kids and adults with physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities can experience the fun of snowboarding with the proper preparation and equipment. True to teaching any adaptive sport, safety for both the student and the other people in the area is the foremost consideration. New Zealand has some great adaptive instructors who specialise in snowboarding.
Why Snowboard?
You need a reason for getting out there on your snowboard? Seriously? Have you seen how much fun everyone else is having? We rest our case – this is as good as it gets. So enjoy.“Adaptive snowboarders are riders with disabilities. Many of us are amputees, but snowboarding is also possible for polio and stroke survivors, people with cerebral palsy, and sight impairment . Participants also include riders with spinal cord injuries, head injuries, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida and other conditions. What is most important is your desire to try something new!
Some adaptive riders use outriggers to help balance themselves while they board, but many don't use any special equipment.” Cliff Cabral
What is adaptive snowboarding?
“People with various types of disabilities will be able to make snowboarding work for them. Above knee amputees will ride with a little rigging to their prosthetic and possibly using outriggers. People with partial paralysis can use restrictive knee braces and outriggers to shred down the hill. Paraplegics will have a ride that is kind of like a mono ski. ... It just takes the right attitude and a little trial and error.”American snowboarder Lucas Grossi , who directs an adaptive snowboarding camp, believes that "snowboarding is easier to pick up than skiing for disabled people. Snowboarding feeds the soul true freedom." He likes to put his snowboarding to the test with fat powder turns, riding in the trees and dropping huge cliffs.Another American, talk-show host Montel Williams took up snowboarding as therapy for his multiple sclerosis. Montel credits snowboarding with putting his brain back in touch with his feet. This unique form of therapy has also offered him the exhilaration of being on the mountain and learning a new sport. Now, he's addicted. "[Snowboarding] has changed my life."
Adaptive Equipment
As snowboarding grows in popularity, options in equipment and teaching aids increase. Choices are divided into equipment which a client uses independently and that which is instructor guided or assisted. Appropriate equipment is ability-oriented and based on whether a student has sufficient balance and strength to ride vertically or needs to use a mono-ski type of adaptation. DSNZ is raising funds to have more options available through the adaptive programmes.
"Rider Bar" Photo - Aspen Challenge
Where to from here?
So, you want to take up the challenge! Read some of the link sites - there is plenty of inspiration and great info there. Get in touch with the Adaptive Coordinator at your local mountain.