Category: Para-Snowboarding

The Canadian Snowboard Federation (CSF) held its largest National Adaptive Snowboarding Championships yesterday at Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, British Columbia where athletes from five nations competed for the title. The championships were followed by an innovative Sport Building Workshop with stakeholders from around the globe which occurred today in Vancouver.

EMILY CAVALLIN AND TYLER MOSHER CROWNED CANADIAN ADAPTIVE SNOWBOARD CHAMPIONS
The second Canadian Adaptive National Championships proved to be a successful event
Jan. 30, 2009

(West Vancouver, BC – January 30, 2009) The Canadian Snowboard Federation (CSF) held its largest National Adaptive Snowboarding Championships yesterday at Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, British Columbia where athletes from five nations competed for the title. The championships were followed by an innovative Sport Building Workshop with stakeholders from around the globe which occurred today in Vancouver.

Tyler Mosher

In the men’s category, Tyler Mosher of Whistler, BC won the event by posting a best time of 23.38 seconds with an impressive lead of 1.57 seconds over silver medalist Ian Lockey.

“Today was a great day. I am really proud to have a National team and a national event with World-class athletes competing here in Canada. I was really happy with the course, the set-up and with the availability of coaches and volunteers. It was especially great to come in first place,” said Mosher after the race, who also won the first ever World Cup race held last year in Whistler, BC.

Mosher is an incomplete paraplegic, paralyzed 20% below the waist, who rides standing up.

Keith Deutsh

“Having five nations competing here is a great sign of the evolution of snowboarding. Now other nations are starting to recognize adaptive snowboarding as a sport. It’s pretty amazing to see some other riders come out here to Canada with their own money, their own coaches and their own skills,” continued Mosher, an environmental planner by profession born in Wolfville, Nova-Scotia.

In the Ladies category, Emily Cavallin of Telka, British Columbia won the gold by posting a best time of 27.48 seconds, edging her closest competitor, Nicole Roundy, by 0.46 seconds.

“It’s awesome day where we rode on a pretty fun course with lots of bumps and rollers, and good technical difficulties. We were fortunate the weather cooperated as the day progressed,” said Cavallin, which finished second in last year’s Canadian Championships.

In July of 2000, Cavallin was diagnosed with osteosarcoma cancer – the same type of bone cancer that Terry Fox had – which resulted in the amputation of her lower leg.

“I feel so privileged and honour to take part in this event, and be under the Canadian snowboard federation with coaching and the support they give is phenomenal,” continued Cavallin. “The sport will only get better. People are starting to hear about the sport and their potential to actively participate in it. Hopefully, more girls will look at it and say ‘You know, I can do that to’ and the sport will grow.”

Carl Murphey

The Canadian Adaptive National Championships welcomed snowboarders with physical disabilities from around the globe who competed in a one-rider version of snowboardcross. The one-rider version of snowboardcross consists of the best three time trial runs.

For the third time, Canada hosted an innovative International Sport Building Workshop in Vancouver, British Columbia, where world leaders from around the world, including officials, coaches, athletes and administrators were invited to discuss the continued development of Adaptive Snowboarding as well as establishing a network of expert resources.

“The significance of holding this event is its ability to draw an international adaptive snowboard athletic field, as well as the development of a classification process, providing the stage from which the pursuit of entry into the IPC Paralympic Winter Games for either 2014 or 2018 can be successfully driven,” said Tom McIllfaterick, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Snowboard Federation.

In 2008, the CSF became a world leader by hosting the first ever adaptive snowboarding World Cup in Whistler, British Columbia. The international event made history by introducing classification concepts for the first time in the history of the sport around the globe.

“Our goals for the sport is to increase awareness, increase the participation of young riders and build a base which will ultimately allow its inclusion in the Paralympic Winter Games,” continues McIllfaterick.

The CSF recognizes the significant interest in making the sport accessible to persons with disabilities and, as the national governing body for the sport of snowboarding, is addressing this interest through various initiatives within the Canadian Adaptive Snowboard Program.

Men’s Podium

Adaptive snowboarding refers to a modified version of the sport, with changes in equipment, rules, and technical specifications that enable persons with physical disabilities to participate in both recreational and competitive activities

Adaptive snowboard events include male and female athletes with a physical disability such as spinal injury, cerebral palsy, amputation, or visual impairments. Athletes compete based on their functional ability, allowing athletes with different disabilities to compete against each other.

The CSF’s philosophy for adaptive snowboarding is to have it fully integrated with the delivery of programs and activities for able-bodied participants of the sport. Adaptive snowboarding is currently integrated into Vision 2020: The Long Term Athlete Development Plan for Snowboarding, and into the Canadian Snowboard Coaching Program.

Grouse Mountain in British Columbia to host major event for snowboarders with physical disabilities organized by Canadian Snowboard Federation.

(West Vancouver, BC – January 28, 2009) The Canadian Snowboard Federation (CSF) will host the largest ever National Adaptive Snowboarding Championships on January 29th at Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, British Columbia where athletes from five nations will compete for the title

The one-day, night event will feature top Canadian and international snowboarders with physical disabilities in a one-rider version of snowboardcross. The one-rider version of snowboardcross, also called a sling-shot format, consists of the best three time trial runs to crown the Canadian champion.

“We are very excited to stage this largest event in our history. This is a sign that our efforts to develop the sport are generating results,” said Tom McIllfaterick, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Snowboard Federation. “We are also delighted that Grouse Mountain have made their facilities available to us, and share our commitment to providing opportunities of this nature”.

In 2008, the CSF became a world leader by hosting the first ever adaptive snowboarding world cup in Whistler, British Columbia. The international event made history by introducing classification concepts for the first time in the history of the sport around the globe.

“Our goals for the sport is to increase awareness, increase the participation of young riders and build a base which will ultimately allow its inclusion in the Paralympic Winter Games,” continues McIllfaterick.

The CSF recognizes the significant interest in making the sport accessible to persons with disabilities and, as the national governing body for the sport of snowboarding, is addressing this interest through various initiatives within the Canadian Adaptive Snowboard Program.

“As we move onwards, we aim to continue developing the sport through strong policies, procedures, and resources. We have, as well, taken a leadership role internationally in discussions with the International Paralympic Committee, the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS), and the World Snowboard Federation” added McIllfaterick.

Adaptive snowboarding refers to a modified version of the sport, with changes in equipment, rules, and technical specifications that enable persons with physical disabilities to participate in both recreational and competitive activities

Adaptive snowboard events include male and female athletes with a physical disability such as spinal injury, cerebral palsy, amputation, or visual impairments. Athletes compete based on their functional ability, allowing athletes with different disabilities to compete against each other.

The CSF’s philosophy for adaptive snowboarding is to have it fully integrated with the delivery of programs and activities for able-bodied participants of the sport. Adaptive snowboarding is currently integrated into Vision 2020: The Long Term Athlete Development Plan for Snowboarding, and into the Canadian Snowboard Coaching Program.

–canadian snowboard federation–

ABOUT THE CANADIAN SNOWBOARD FEDERATION
The Canadian Snowboard Federation (CSF) is the governing body for the sport of snowboarding in Canada. Committed to high performance excellence in World Cup, World Championship, and Olympic Winter Games competition, the CSF provides a wide range of programs and support services based on established principles of long term athlete development, for all levels of snowboarding ability.

The CSF advocates a brand of winter exhilaration that provides opportunity from park to podium and promotes self expression and individuality in the pursuit of personal excellence. For more information on the services and programs offered by the CSF, please visit: www.csf.ca.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Guy Napert-Frenette
Manager, Communications
Canadian Snowboard Federation
403-614-4275
guynf@csf.ca

February 13 will be an important day for Italian snowboard. For the first time in Italy an official sporting event open to adaptive snowboarders -riders with physical disabilities- will be held, on the occasion of the Italian Ski Championship for Disabled Athletes, hosted in Val Torta (province of Bergamo).

On the opening day, February 13, it is scheduled to take place a demonstration slalom race for adaptive, disabled, visually handicapped and hearing impaired snowboarders. A small step towards the inclusion of Adaptive Snowboarding into the Paralympic Winter Games.

If you know any adaptive riders, tell him or her about this event: their participation is important both for them and for the sport of snowboarding. The closing date for pre-registration is February, 2.

Program
Friday, February 13, 2009
11:30 Adaptive Snowboard Slalom

Competing categories
Both male and female athletes can participate, divided in the following categories
visually handicapped and partially sighted athletes
amputees
athletes in wheelchair

Regulations
According to the degree of disability, compensation times will be adopted (see table)

Accommodation
The organizers of the event have drawn up an agreement with the following tourist facilities; info line +39 0345/20115 (from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.)

Hotel Piazzatorre
Albergo Piazzatorre of Arioli s.a.s.
Via Centro, 21 – 24010 Piazzatorre (province of Bergamo)
n. 32 available rooms
n. 28 WCHC-equipped rooms
Half-board € 55,00 per day
18 Km far from the race location

Hotel Milano
Via Centro, 19 – 24010 Piazzatorre (Bergamo)
n. 30 available rooms
n. 10 WCHC-equipped rooms
Half-board € 55,00 per day
18 Km far from the race location

Hotel Le Pinete
Via M. Secco, 27 – 24010 Piazzatore (Bergamo)
n. 30 rooms available – non WCHC-equipped
Half-board € 55,00 per day
18 Km far from the race location

Hostel Cassiglio
Via del Ponte, 1 – 24010 Cassiglio (Bergamo)
n. 6 available rooms
n. 6 WCHC-equipped rooms
Prezzo ½ pensione € 22,00
Distanza Impianti Gara 8 km

Trifoglio
Località Ceresola di Valtorta (Bg)
n. 30 camere disponibili non attrezzate
Half-board € 50,00 per day
In front of the race location

Meals and ski-pass
For both athletes and staff the cost of meals will not exceed 15 €. The ski-pass cost will be 9 € on Friday, and 19 € on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

How to reach the event
Railway station: Bergamo
Airport: Milano “Orio Al Serio”, Bergamo
Event organizers will ensure free of charge, to all participating groups who will ask for it, a private transportation service to and from the airport and railway station, and between the accommodation and the race location. To request for the transportation service call +39 338/7261266

Media requests
Images and videos of the event will be available free of copyright a few days after its conclusion. Those who are interested, send an e-mail to: marco@worldsnowboardfederation.org

Oranization
National Association Ski Guides for the Visually Handicapped
Via Falcone, 3/5
24048 Treviolo (Bergamo)
Mr. Federico Fontana
Mobile +39 338/7261266
Fax. +39 035/614454
mail fedefon@libero.it

How to participate
To take part to the race, athletes have to fill in the attached form, and send it via fax (+39 035/614454) or via e-mail (fedefon@libero.it ) to this office, within February 2.

Registration form for the Adaptive Snowboard demonstration race
Name:
Surname:
Sex:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Phone number:
e-mail:
Disability and/or classification of disabled skis:

The Canadian Snowboard Federation will host the first ever Adaptive Snowboarding National Championships at Grouse Mountain from January 27 – 29, 2009. The National Championships will be held in a sling-shot (single rider) format, on a specially designed snowboardcross course. All participants should have previous competitive experience in Adaptive Snowboarding.

Canadian Adaptive Snowboard Program National Championships
Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver, B.C.
January 27 – 29, 2009

THE EVENT

This is an open event. Athletes from all nations are welcome to participate.

An athlete Development Camp for all interested participants will be held on January 27 and 28 with coaching focus on equipment, training environment, physical and psychological training as well as technical and tactical performance factors; the National Championships competition will take place on January 29.

The CSF will also be holding an Adaptive Snowboard Summit on January 30, following the National Championships. Further information on this seminar to consider the future development of adaptive snowboarding will be released shortly.

THE RESORT / ACCOMMODATION

Grouse Mountain is situated in North Vancouver, a thirty minute drive from the Vancouver city centre.

Grouse Mountain will provide discounted (night rate) lift tickets to all registered athletes and coaches/assistants.

Accommodation: The Comfort Inn (North Vancouver) is offering all Adaptive Nationals Participants

December 22nd, 2008 (Italy) – The organizing committee for the 2009 Adaptive Snowboard World Cup, scheduled to take place in Trentino, Italy in March 2009, announced today the cancellation of the event.

The economical situation in Europe does not allow us to fund the requested budget to ensure the necessary infrastructure and services are in place for this event” stated Marco Sampaoli, from the WSF Event Committee. “We are still working on this project by searching for a better location and partners to run this event the best way possible. This is a very important step for snowboarding and we are going to go for it”. The Italian World Cup event that was scheduled to take place in March 2009 will be postponed to a new date and location which is still being determined.

A task force including delegates from Canada, Holland, USA, Italy and New Zealand are now working to determine an alternative location to host the 2008.09 Adaptive Snowboard World Cup. “Bringing snowboarding to the Paralympic Winter Games is the goal we are all working towards” states Danny Buntain, Chairperson for the WSF Adaptive Committee. “Despite the cancellation of the event in Italy we are still working towards hosting an international event in North America”. Proposals for hosting this year’s Adaptive Snowboard World Cup will be accepted up until January 15, 2009. Both Canada and the US are expected to apply. An announcement with the new dates and locations for the event will be released by January 30, 2009.

For updates about Adaptive Snowboarding, events, projects and technical information check www.worldsnowboardfederation.org or register for the newsletter service.

A joint effort of the Johan Cruijff Foundation and the VGW has resulted in the first national meeting of adaptive wintersport instructors. The day was attended by instructors from several Dutch organisations as well as well-known Dutch adaptive sportsmen like Bibian Mentel , KJ van der Klooster and Kjeld Punt.

After the opening of the day by Roger Popp, representing the JCF, each organisation had the opportunity to give a presentation to further outline their goals and objectives.
During lunch first discussions started on how we could better cooperate in our small country.
In the afternoon 5 topics were discussed in groups, being
1.Adaptive Ski Material and additional aids.
2.Learn-to-ride program and Instructor training.
3.Sitski techniques.
4.2-track, 3-track and 4-track techniques incl. snowboarding.
5.Organisation.

The results of these discussions were presented to all attendees at the end of the afternoon.

This day was a first step and highly appreciated by everyone and all are looking forward to the next one. During the next meeting main topics will be; use of one another’s hardware and the training of instructors and guides. The Nederlandse Skivereniging (Dutch Wintersport Association) has committed themselves to further coordinate this process.

A first result of this day is a fact! The snowboard instructors of several organisations have continued the discussion started that day and formed a group that will try to realize the first Dutch Adaptive Snowboard Guide by the end of this season. Might anyone have any material that could by of help for them please contact them at vgw_skileraar@live.nl

More info on
Johan Cruijff Foundation
VGW

As a result from the successful clinics organized last year, again four clinics will be organized this autumn at the indoor snow hall Snowworld Zoetermeer, the Netherlands

Snowboard and Ski Clinics by the VGW at Snowworld Zoetermeer, The Netherlands

As a result from the successful clinics organized last year, again four clinics will be organized this autumn at the indoor snow hall Snowworld Zoetermeer, the Netherlands (www.snowworld.nl) by the (Dutch) Association of Disabled Wintersporters (Vereniging van Gehandicapte Wintersporters – VGW).

During these days introductory lessons will be given by the certified instructors on snowboarding, 2-track, 3-track and 4-track skiing.

Dates of the clinics: Sept. 27th, Oct 18th, Nov. 8th and Nov. 29th 2008. Also clinics for sit-skiing will be planned for autumn 2008.

For further details and information on the clinics please contact Mr. Han Kruit by e-mail hankruit@planet.nl

For further details on the VGW please check the website www.vgw-online.nl (in Dutch only).

In 2007 Italy started to test snowboarding for blind riders. The results were great from the first try and, in 2008, the clinics saw 10 new blind youngs trying snowboard for their first time. Follow a short story and some pictures from the Blind Snowboard Clinincs 2008 in Italy

Ski Club Fanano Adaptive Section organize every season a week for the introduction to winter sport. The idea is to bring up the mountain young disable people and their family to enjoy sports and nature. Since the begininng of this project there were alpine ski, nordic ski and ice hockey but from 2007 also the snowboarding was included in the program.

Chiara is the first italian blind rider

The first test in 2007 saw to blind youngs trying snowboarding: Chiara and Stefano. Assisted by local teacher Pierfrancesco Provittera and from the adaptive rider from Italy Gian Paolo Galli, amputee BK. Since that first test we got feedback from Chiara about how snowboarding was more easy than skiing for her.

The adaptive rider Gian Paolo Galli supporting Stefano during his first snowboard lesson.

During winter 2008 the Blind Clinincs were repeted with more teachers and more partecipants: 10 new riders were trained that days. Thank to the regional teaching program, the blind clinics 2008 became a possibility for both teacher than blind riders to lears something new.

Pierfrancesco with Chiara, at her second snowboard lesson

First hiking for to find the first snowboarding line

After a few emotional moment, with most of the teacher close to start crying, the clininc went on and the new riders start learning snowboarding very quickly. Not even one hour and all the riders already got the frontside and backside turns.

Some shots from the clinincs 2008.

After the lessons we took our time to interview the partecipants…

so did yuou enjoy snowboarding?Of course! Much better than skiing! Next year only snowboard and not skiing at all!! What’s the difference beetwin skiing? Snowboarding is more easyer and funnier!“

New riders at their first snowboard lesson.

For the second time we verify that is easy for a blind to ride snowboarding.

Happy new riders at their first day of snowboarding

World Snowboard Federation and its member nations are still working on the development of blind and adaptive riding, in cooperation with the International Paraolympic Committe and with many other disable organization world wide.

Let’s go for another slope!

For more information about WSF Adaptive and Disable snowboard project contact marco@worldsnowboardfederation.org

by Marco Sampaoli
Pictures by RaggiEleonora.com e Marco Sampaoli

On April 1st, Adaptive snowboarders from around the globe came to Copper Mountain to compete in the first ever WSF Adaptive Snowboard World Championships hosted by Adaptive Action Sports (AAS) and the United States of America Snowboard Association (USASA).

The riders couldn’t have asked for a better day to race Snowboardcross for World Championship. The competition consisted of a “sling-shot” Snowboardcross format with the fastest combined time of two runs taking home the gold. The WSF Adaptive Snowboard World Championship yielded some of today’s top talent from around the globe; including Carl Murphy from New Zealand, Tyler Mosher of Canada, Bibian Mentel of the Netherlands, and a handful of rider from the United States. The race course was very technical and pushed the limits of adaptive snowboarding to a higher level.

For the men, Rob Nelson, a rider from the US with arm paralysis, finished the day with the fastest time and took home the title of Adaptive Snowboard World Champion. Chris Brodbeck and Keith Deutsch, both from the US, took home the silver and bronze. On the women’s side, Bibian Mentel was crowned Adaptive World Champion. This was Mentel’s second 1st place finish this season, with her first being at the Adaptive Snowboard World Cup in Canada. Nicole Roundy and Amy Purdy, both from the US, took home the silver and bronze.

The WSF Adaptive Snowboard World Championships was produced by AAS and USASA. This was the second international WSF adaptive snowboard event taken place this season. The first WSF Adaptive Snowboard World Cup took place on March 14, 2008 in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. Next season the WSF anticipates hosting a minimum of three international Adaptive Snowboard events.

About Adaptive Action Sports
Adaptive Action Sports is a US based nonprofit that creates opportunities for individuals with permanent physical disabilities to participate in ‘action sports’ and or the art and music scene that follows them. They provide a number of performance camps for adaptive snowboarders, skateboarders and skiers throughout the year.

The Canadian Snowboard Federation and the World Snowboard Federation are pleased to announce the first ever Adaptive Snowboard World Cup will be held in Whistler, BC on March 14, 2008.

Ian Lockey and Tyler Mosher competing at last Adaptive PSL Competition in Canada

Check out the first ever Adaptive Snowboard World Cup
Whistler Blackcomb to be Host Venue for the 2008 Adaptive Snowboard World Cup

The competition will be held in a Snowboardcross course, with inspection, training, and two timed runs. Prizes will be awarded to the top three women and men in their disability class. Adaptive Snowboarding athletes from Canada, USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand are expected to compete for a spot on the podium. The World Cup is part of the second International Summit in Adaptive Snowboarding, hosted by the Canadian Adaptive Snowboard Program.

Adaptive Snowboard World Cup Competition Schedule Friday, March 14 01:00-03:00pm
Adaptive Snowboard World Cup Competition (Time Trials x 2) 04:00-04:30pm Awards;
Location: Base of the Wizard Chair (Blackcomb Mountain)
NOTE: All times are in Pacific Standard Time.

About the Canadian Adaptive Snowboard Program (CASP)
The Canadian Adaptive Snowboard Program (CASP) headed by the Canadian Snowboard Federation provides snowboarding opportunities to athletes with physical disabilities in Canada. The CASP consists of athlete development camps, adaptive snowboarding competitions, Sport Building workshops and seminars with international experts, and training opportunities for coaches.
For a list of scheduled activities, please visit our website: http://www.csf.ca/en/dev/adaptive/
For more information and to view a video of all our programs, visit www.csf.ca

For more information, please contact: Danny Buntain, Adaptive Snowboard Manager Canadian Snowboard Federation 604-714-2236 (office); 604-6449697 (mobile) -Danny@csf.ca (email)