Cycling—Although, I would consider this a year-round sport, competitions and group rides are usually scheduled for warmer months. People with visual impairments, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and amputations are all able to compete. Depending on your ability level, equipment used includes a bicycle, tricycle, tandem, or handcycle. •
Rock Climbing—Scale the rock. Adaptations are made based on individual’s needs and ability. •
Wheelchair Tennis—A game that follows regular tennis rules with the exception of allowing two bounces instead of one. Athletes must have loss of function in one or more lower extremities. For the quad division, athletes must have a loss of function in one or more upper extremities. Team Sports •
Sit Volleyball—It is played on a smaller court with a lower net and the athlete’s pelvis must touch the ground at all times. It is mainly by amputees, but other athletes can include cerebral palsy, paralysis, and other locomotor disabilities. •
Goalball—combines elements of soccer and bowling. Each team tries to roll a ball (the size of a basketball with bells in it) into the other team’s goal, with that team diving to block the goal. It is a sport exclusively for athletes with visual impairments.
SUMMER Individual Sports • Archery—It includes individual and team competitions that are classified as ARST (Archery Standing), ARW1 (wheelchair with quadriplegia) and ARW2 (wheelchair for lower-body impairments). •
Track and Field—This includes events from 100m to the Marathon, throwing and jumping events and pentathlon. Athletes with visual impairments, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, amputations, and dwarfism are all eligible to compete. • Boccia or Bocce Ball—Considered a target sport, it can be played in teams, pairs, or individuals.
The goal is to land your six balls closer to the target white ball than your opponent. It can be modified for any disability. There is a special division for those who use assistive devices to throw the ball such as a chute. •
Downhill Mountain Biking—Take a ski lift to the top and ride a two-wheel or four-wheel bike down, depending on your ability. •
Sailing—Sail beyond your limitations. Team Sports •
Wheelchair Softball—An exciting and challenging fun summer sport. Autumn Individual Sports •
Fencing—Men and women with amputations, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy compete in the foil, epee, and sabre while their chairs are fastened to the floor. Competitions start in the autumn and run through spring, but practice and clinics run year-round. Team Sports •
Quad Rugby—Rough and tough sport designed for people with limitations to all four limbs. Most teams will practice year-round, but competitions begin in early autumn. •
Wheelchair Basketball—It was designed for athletes who have a physical disability that prevents them from running, jumping, and pivoting. Typically it is played on a team with others, but who’s stopping you from playing with your kids? WINTER Individual Sports •
Skiing (Alpine and Nordic)—Accommodates males and females with a physical disability such as paralysis, cerebral palsy, and amputation as well as other conditions such as visual impairment. Equipment is adapted to their needs: single ski, sit ski, orthopedic aides. Team Sports •
Sled Hockey—It is the sit-down version of ice hockey sitting on a sled with skate blades and using two sticks for puck handling and maneuvering on the ice. WATER SPORTS •
Kayaking/Canoeing— The Canoe Association is committed to full integration for people with disabilities to the paddling experience. •
SCUBA—Dive in! •
Swimming—Considered for competition, fitness and fun, opportunities are available for athletes with all disabilities from cerebral palsy to amputees to visual impairments to paralysis. • Water Skiing—No matter what the disability, waterskiing is possible sitting or standing. YEAR-ROUND SPORTS •
Billiards—You can go anytime to shoot pool with your buddies. •
Bowling—Anyone is able to bowl through various adaptations such as the snap-handle ball, bowling stick, ramps, and IKAN bowling ramp or no adaptation at all. •
Golf—You are able to play golf whether sitting or standing, full grip or limited grip. Equipment makes it possible. Depending on where you live, the sport can be played year round, but competitions usually run in spring and summer.
Additional sports not mentioned: curling, equestrian, dancing, powerlifting, bowls, martial arts, rowing, table tennis, soccer and shooting. |