33rd DS USA Adaptive Learn to Ski Event

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Event dates: January 20-24, 2014

This is the oldest adaptive ski clinic being the first of a group of national instructional clinics started by Disabled Sports USA which in its history was known as National Handicap Sports. The Atlanta Chapter of NHS assisted to develop the first clinic in 1981 and continued with it through 2004. The Disabled Sports USA host sponsor is now SPARC (Sports, Parks, Arts, and Recreation of Chattanooga). The clinic functions as a cooperative effort amongst programs all interested in the benefits of sports for individuals with disabilities with Beech Mountain Resort continuing to be our host with help from the Costin family. Two national acclaimed physical rehabilitation centers partner to assist in sponsoring the event: Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center Innovative Recreation Cooperative (IRC) in Knoxville, TN and Carolina Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports and Adventure Program (ASAP) in Charlotte, NC. The sponsors of this event donate to bring together the instructors, equipment, and resources necessary to teach skiing/snowboarding to individuals with disabilities in the southeast region.

Sponsors

We wish to thank all of our friends and sponsors for the Beech Mt. Resort DSUSA Adaptive Learn to Ski Event including: Beech Mountain Resort, Disabled Sports USA Chapter – SPARC of Chattanooga, Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center IRC Program of Knoxville, Ft. Sanders Foundation, Carolinas Rehabilitation ASAP Program, DSUSA Warfighters Project, Beech Meadows Ski Shop, Pinnacle Inn, and the Board Room. Over $50,000 of adaptive equipment is brought to the event so we can provide a multitude of snow experiences for the participants.

Instructors

The instructional team for the event is from all over the US and all PSIA Adaptive certified instructors with over 60 years of combined experience. The instructional team includes individuals from: Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, Crested Butte Adaptive Programs, Winter Park Adaptive Program, and Cataloochee Adaptive Program. The team is composed of experienced instructors in monoski, biski, twin ski, 2, 3, & 4 tracking, slider, visually impaired and snowboard instruction.

Participants

The participants come from all over the southeast region including: NC, SC, GA, TN, AL, and FL. Ages range from age 4 into their 70’s with a variety of diagnoses to include: brain and spinal injured, amputees, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, developmental delayed, spinal muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, visually impaired, and a whole host of other neurological and orthopedic challenges. We are supportive of our military and work with veterans and active military in our region. We try to focus on family and have families participate in the event as much as possible. The motto of DSUSA is, “If I can do this, I can do anything,” inspires many to give alpine sport a try.

Gene Baron Award

Each year an award is given in honor of Gene Baron who was an amputee who skied at Beech Mt. He was very supportive of teaching individuals with disabilities the sport of alpine skiing. His efforts, energy, and love of snow skiing are an inspiration for many at the clinic. He passed away while at the world’s disabled event in Colorado. In his memory, a lifetime achievement award has been given each year to an individual or entity involved in helping with the event with Beech Mountain Resort being a proud recipient of the award.

Schedule of Events