ABOUT PARA-SNOWBOARD

 

ABOUT PARA-SNOWBOARD

 

Para-Snowboard, previously referred to as Adaptive Snowboard, 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.

Para-Snowboard events are held for men and women riders with physical disabilities such as spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, or amputation. Riders compete based on their functional ability by being classified by a Para-Snowboard Classifier, and thus allowing riders with different disabilities to compete against each other.

Adaptive Snowboarding becomes Para-Snowboard

The WSF, along with most National Snowboard Associations (NSAs), recently changed the name of “Adaptive Snowboarding” to Para-Snowboard.

Why?

The change was made to bring the sport into alignment with the common terminology for sports used by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). This was done in consultation with the IPC, and is part of the process of preparing the sport for inclusion in the Paralympic Winter Games.

The prefix “para” is of Greek origin, and means “alongside”. It is used to illustrate how the Olympic and Paralympic movements exist side by side.

Para-Snowboard and Adaptive Snowboarding refer to the same thing. But the new name reflects the growth and maturation of the sport, and its acceptance into the wider sporting community.