Gaylord Sports Association Newsletter Archive

Dear Friends of the Sports Association,

We have had a busy summer so far with the Gaylord Golf Classic, the Ken Murphy Memorial Open Golf Tournament, and the Gaylord Gauntlet! We still have a lot of upcoming programs to take advantage of, including archery clinics and golf clinics. Our cycle rides and waterski clinics have been popular and filled up quickly this summer! Soon to come will be fall programs in boccia, yoga and archery!

To get involved, just contact the Sports Association at 203-284-2772 or visit our website at www.gaylord.org/sports for more information. We hope to see you soon!

-The Sports Association

2017 Gaylord Gauntlet - A Huge Success

Gaylord held the 4th annual Gaylord Gauntlet 5k Obstacle Race on Saturday, June 24th. A record number of over 900 runners and 13 adaptive athletes made their way through a muddy and wet 5K course conquering 22 different obstacles. A big thank you to the 100+ volunteers who helped the day run smoothly! This year, the Sports Association Team conquered the course with athlete Joe Stone, the first quadriplegic to complete the Gaylord Gauntlet! Joe utilized a special all-terrain wheelchair, a sled, hand modifications and assistance from a team of therapists and volunteers to complete all of the obstacles. Click below to watch a video of Joe and the Sports Association Team. To view photos of the event, click here.

A special thank you to all the sponsors of the Gaylord Gauntlet, including our gold sponsor ConnectiCare, our silver sponsor, Image First and Bronze sponsor Ulbrich. To view all the event sponsors, please click here. Net proceeds of approximately $50,000 will support the Gaylord Sports Association's adaptive sport programs.

The Gaylord Sports Association Wolfpack Sled Hockey Team participated in Camp No Limits at Quinnipiac University on
July 8, 2017. This sports camp for youth with limb loss is organized by Quinnipiac University. This year, almost 30 youth took part in the sled hockey clinic and then watched the Wolfpack play a spirited game against the NY Rangers Sled Hockey Team. The Sports Association looks forward to participating in this annual event again in 2018.

PGA HOPE - Veteran's Golf Class

The Sports Association is proud to announce that it has been named a new chapter of the PGA HOPE -Helping Our Patriots Everywhere program. The mission of PGA HOPE is to utilize golf as a rehabilitative tool to help veterans overcome life’s adversities and improve their physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. PGA HOPE is part of PGA Reach, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. As a new chapter, the Sports Association is offering a 6-week golf class for veterans with a physical disability, PTSD or visual impairment on Wednesdays from July 26 through August 30^th at Sleeping Giant Golf Course in Hamden, CT. Classes are offered at no cost and include instruction by PGA professionals and experienced volunteers who are trained in adaptive techniques and equipment. We are excited about this new venture and would like to thank the PGA HOPE program for their sponsorship as well as the West Haven VA for their support of this program! The class is off to a good start with a full roster of participants!

Wheelchair Rugby Head Coach Wanted

Do you enjoy the rough and tumble sport of wheelchair rugby? Would you be interested in coaching the Connecticut Jammers Wheelchair Rugby Team? Here is your chance! The team is in search of a new head coach. The team has 12 dedicated athletes who practice and compete from late August through February. Practices are held Sunday mornings at New Horizons Village in Unionville. This past season, a few practices were also held on Thursday. If you are interested and would like further information, please contact the Sports Association at 203-284-2772 or sports@gaylord.org.

Paratriathlon - Dave Parcells Madison Triathlon

The Paratriathlon Training Program is underway! Ten athletes and guides will be competing in the Dave Parcells Madison Triathlon on September 9, 2017. This training program is for adult athletes who have a physical disability or visual impairment who would like to train and compete in a sprint length triathlon. The program is organized by the Sports Association and supported by volunteer training guides, including a group from the Valley Shore YMCA Triathlon Club. Come out and cheer for these dedicated athletes!

Date:
Saturday, September 9th
Time:
6:45 AM - 10:00 AM
Location:
Madison Surf Club, Madison

Adaptive Cycling Club

Whether it’s your first time riding, or you have been riding for years, we welcome you to join our cycle club! Designed for cyclists of all abilities, the club is open to adults interested in group rides on the linear trail. All riding is on a closed trail, free from traffic! Cycle club rides are meant to be enjoyable for riders of all abilities, so each ride may break into several groups based on ability, speed & distance. First time riders must complete a cycle club application and cycle fitting prior to attending a ride. All cyclists and volunteers must register for each ride by calling the Sports Association at 203-284-2772.

Dates:
Thursday, August 31, 5:00PM-7:00PM - FULL Please contact us to be put on the waiting list.

Location: *Note New Location*
450 Jarvis St
Farmington Canal Trail
Cheshire, CT

Open to adults with a permanent physical disability or visual impairment

Cost is Free!
Advanced registration is required. Please call 203-284-2772 for more information and to register.

Open Water Kayak Outings

Experience the freedom of the open water during a Sports Association’s Adaptive Kayak Outing. Kayak Outings are for individuals who have participated and passed the Sports Association’s Kayak Class Series and would like to take their skills to the next level, or just enjoy an outdoor kayak experience. Outings include all the necessary equipment and guidance from both American Canoe Association certified instructors and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. Outings are offered during the summer months and take place either on saltwater out of Lighthouse Point in New Haven and Jacobs Beach in Guilford or on freshwater at Wintergreen Lake in New Haven. Kayaking is not only a great fitness activity, it’s an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, socialize, watch for wildlife, relax and just have fun!

Dates & Times:
Outing 2:
Thursday, August 3rd
5:00-7:00 PM
Wintergreen Lake, New Haven
FULL

Outing 3:
Thursday, September 21st
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Jacobs Beach, Guilford

Cost: $10.00

Advanced registration is required. Please call 203-284-2772 for more information and to register.

The Sports Association Adaptive Golf Clinics are designed to provide adult golfers with physical disabilities and visual impairments the opportunity to work with a trained professional to adapt the sport of golf and overcome physical or visual impairments. Participants will recieve instruction from a golf professional as well as therapeutic recreation specialists to give the best possible instruction and support independence. Beginners and returning participants are welcome and all equipment is provided.

Date:
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Time:
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location:
South Lawn, Gaylord Hospital

Cost is Free!
Advanced registration is required. Please call 203-284-2772 for more information and to register.

Adaptive water ski clinics offer participants with a physical or visual disability the opportunity to try, learn and progress in this fast and exciting water sport. Instruction is provided by USA Waterski Certified instructors, Recreation Therapists and expert water skiers. We welcome both new and experienced skiers to enjoy a day of water skiing. Interested participants must provide an MD note, pass a water safety test, and meet all essential eligibility requirements. For more information on eligibility, please see the FAQ's on our webpage or give us a call! There is no cost to participants.

Date:
Tuesday, July 29, 2017 - Wait List
Tuesday, August 12, 2017 - Wait List
Time:
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location:
Pachaug Pond
Griswold, CT

Cost is Free!
Advanced registration is required. Please call 203-284-2772 for more information and to register.

Come and try this sport of skill and accuracy by registering for one of our Outdoor Archery Clinics! Clinics are designed for individuals with a physical disability or visual impairment to learn about and participate in the sport of archery. Participants will receive instruction from a level IV Certified USA Archery Coach as well as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist to give the best possible instruction and support independence. Both beginners and advanced archers are welcome and all equipment is provided.

Date:
Thursday, August 10th, 2017
Time:
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location:
South Lawn, Gaylord Hospital

Cost is Free!
Advanced registration is required. Please call 203-284-2772 for more information and to register.

Adaptive Archery Club

The Sports Association is happy to announce the second year of the Adaptive Archery Club. This dedicated group of archers meets throughout the year for both indoor and outdoor practice at Gaylord Hospital. The club is for Sports Association members who want more time to shoot with other experienced archers. For information on eligibility and how to apply for membership, please contact the Sports Association.

About Our Program and Events

The Sports Association is a program of Gaylord Hospital and is based out of Wallingford, CT. We are a Paralympic Sport Club and chapter member of Disabled Sports USA. We serve adults with physical disabilities and visual impairments and welcome new members to join us. All programs require registration, and some programs have registration deadlines. We recommend early registration since some programs fill quickly. Call us at 203-284-2772 with any questions or to register. Most events are free unless otherwise noted.