Sports and recreation can be made accessible to all, especially when you’re adaptable and creative.
The Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP) and Squamish Adaptive Mountain Biking Association (SAMBA) came together with volunteers (both local and from across Canada) to do just that last week at Alice Lake. Together, they hosted a Try-It Day, where anyone of any age with a disability was invited, not for the first time, to ride a beginner-friendly, one-kilometre trail.
BC Parks, which created the South Coaster Adaptive Trail, hosted an opening event on April 15 when it was initially tried and tested by another group of adaptive riders. The trail has been purposefully made wide and cleared of any obstacles to maximize participation for everybody.
Jen Brown, communications lead and adaptive sport coach for WASP, clarified that WASP and SAMBA hosted the free ‘Try-It’ event on Aug. 8, providing their shared fleet of e-assist and adaptive bikes for all participants to test out if they wished.
The fleet included the XCR Quad, the XCR Para, the Sport-On Jeetrike, and the Bowhead Reach (with or without quad grips), to name just a few. Experienced riders were on hand to coach those participants who were new to riding, or new to riding an adaptive bike or specific model. The participants could also bring their own bikes along if they chose.
“In adaptive sports, I just think there’s so much creativity, there’s a lot of figuring out the setup that works for them,” Try-It Day volunteer, and WASP athlete/volunteer Sean Marihugh told The Squamish Chief.
“It was super fun to see so many people [today] trying out different bikes for the first time, or sharing ideas with each other … to see the community together in one spot,” Marihugh said.
“It was really great today to have lots of new riders out, and also other experienced riders out who know how to ride these bikes and coach people,” added fellow Try-It Day and SAMBA volunteer Colleen Barbalinardo, who is also a physiotherapist.
Brown also spoke with The Squamish Chief about the increasing popularity of e-bikes in adaptive sports, which have been modernized since the 90s.
“[They have] just opened up the outdoors for everybody,” she said.
Other volunteers and adaptive sports experts shared their sentiments with The Squamish Chief in written statements.
“Innovations in adaptive bike technology are breaking down barriers and opening the trails to more riders than ever before,” reads a statement given by adaptive athlete and coach Sierra Roth, who also works in customer experience at Bowhead Corporation—manufacturer of some of the bikes at the event.
“Every advancement means more people with mobility disabilities can experience the freedom, challenge, and joy of the sport. At Bowhead, we strongly believe that everyone belongs outside, and we strive to continue developing the products that enable that to happen. More butts on bikes!”
SAMBA president Sierra McCann also issued the following statement:
“The sport and technology of adaptive mountain biking has advanced rapidly over the past five years, which allows people with disabilities (PWDs) to rediscover the joy of biking. This progression has only been made possible by the collective efforts of PWDs developing the technology along with the opportunities and community engagement to create a space where people can access the outdoors.
“Due to the timing of [mountain biking festivals such as] Crankworx, SAMBA was grateful to have support from several adaptive riders and coaches as well as support riders who worked as a team to make the ‘Try-It’ day a huge success.”
Brown told The Squamish Chief that the ‘Try-It’ days will be continued by WASP and SAMBA “as a way to give PWDs and people who are neurodivergent access to adaptive sports across the Sea to Sky.”
Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) reporter.
This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada.
