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British Columbia (B.C.) loves its sports, especially the outdoor kind. Here are just a few of the adaptive sports organizations we found in this Pacific Northwest part of the world.
Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP)
With a vision to make alpine recreation in any form accessible to everyone, the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP) introduces individuals with a disability to sport, recreation and therapeutic programming. This not-for-profit society offers year-round recreational programs for people of all ages with disabilities to encourage independence, self-confidence and self-motivation outdoors. What’s more, Whistler Adaptive is available to all locals, visitors from across Canada, and anyone traveling to Whistler from across the globe. Even developing athletes, at the grassroots level of their sporting career can join. WASP breaks down physical, social and financial barriers while cultivating skills that lead to independence and confidence.
Kootenay Adaptive Sport Association (KASA)
From a non-profit organization that just aimed to inspire and promote physical activity, support economic development through recreation tourism, and enhance participation in local sport clubs, KASA has expanded to inclusive events to encourage racers of all ages, stages and abilities. Trails traveled are specifically designed to meet the needs of adaptive cyclists, families, seniors and anyone looking to explore recreational opportunities, which has attracted the attention of the local mountain biking community and beyond. Get involved like the local groups in Nakusp, Burton, New Denver and Kaslo. Or better yet, become a sponsor and play a big role in the day-to-day operations within KASA.
North Shore Mountain Bike Association (NSMBA)
Adaptive bikes for people with disabilities is what The North Shore Mountain Bike Association is trying to promote. NSMBA is behind a construction project that is part of the Trails for All program. Three trails on Mt. Seymour will be re-graded and widened into a totally accessible loop to accommodate three-wheel bikes, while protecting and preserving the environment and forest areas. Donate to this non-profit organization—for a minimum of $15, become a member, sponsor or volunteer. A part of this will go to the 1% for the Planet Network as the NSMBS connects businesses and nonprofits to protect the planet.
Its goal is to provide cost effective, realistic and relevant strategies to construct and plan new networks or improve existing trails. Thus, Trail Holistics creates robust partnerships with community stakeholders to create long term planning strategies that expand socioeconomic opportunity while minimizing ecological impact and mitigating risk. Based in British Columbia, this trail building consultant offers a suite of services to bike parks and landowners for planning, designing and managing trails. A specific expertise is designing trails and features to accommodate adaptive mountain biking (aMTB) which are the three- and four-wheeled mountain bikes often used by riders with spinal cord injuries.