Para Nordic Sport Comes to Thunder Bay

Para Nordic Sport Comes to Thunder Bay:

People with physical challenges experience the same enjoyment and health benefits that skiing offers able-bodied skiers. Disabilities such as visual impairment, neurological conditions causing arm, leg, or trunk paralysis or weakness (such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, or stroke), and limb amputations may require the use of adapted ski equipment or a guide.

Persons with mobility issues can use a special piece of equipment called a sitski. Primarily used by people who use wheelchairs to get around, a sit-ski is a seat mounted on a pair of skis and is propelled using poles. Moderate upper body and arm strength is required to push the sit-ski. The Lake Superior Ski Division (LSSD) has two sit-skis on loan from ParaSport Ontario.

People with arm amputations typically ski with one pole and those with leg amputations use sit-skis or prosthetic limbs with regular skis. People with visual impairments may need to ski with a guide. The guide skis ahead and leads the skier with visual impairment through the trail, communicating to them when to turn, when there are up hills or down hills and when obstacles are coming.Nordic, or cross country skiing is a form of recreation that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, with or without physical disabilities.

If you or someone you know may be interested in trying skiing, if you have questions, or if you are interested in volunteering as a guide, becoming a coach for athletes with a disability, or you would like to start a program at your club you can contact Anne-Marie at outskiing@hotmail.com . You can also contact Thunder Bay Nordic Trails with inquiries about sit-ski availability at the Kamview Nordic Center.

Anne-Marie Fequet, a Registred Physiotherapist, is the LSSD Para-Nordic
coordinator working to develop programs within LSSD's member clubs.