Dear Friends of the Sports Association,

As the summer draws to a close, athletes from the Sports Association have been busy participating in archery, golf, and waterski clinics. We have held cycle club rides and kayak outings. This fall is shaping up to be a busy season. There will be the return of yoga classes and boccia clinics along with the continuation of golf and archery clinics. Don't miss the Wheelchair Curling Clinic at the Nutmeg Curling Club in October! The fall also marks the beginning of the wheelchair rugby and sled hockey seasons. Come out and cheer for one of the teams!

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

Congratulations to the nine Sports Association athletes who competed in the Dave Parcells Madison Triathlon at the Madison Surf Club on September 9, 2017! The SA team consited of five individual competitors and 2 relay teams. All athletes and guides trained throughout the summer in anticipation of this event. Click here to view photos from the event. Thank you to our coach Stacia Cardillo, the Valley Shore YMCA, all the volunteer guides who trained and competed along side the athletes, and to the race day volunteers involved in kayaking, timing, and helping with transitions! Great job by all! We look forward to welcoming these athletes and others to next year's triathlon training program which will begin in May 2018.

Our annual waterski clinics were again a big hit! We did over 50 ski runs in two clinics! Returning and new participants experienced the thrill of being on the water either as a standup skier or a sit skier. Thank you to the Joly Family for hosting our waterski clinics and to our group of amazing volunteers who help make these clincs possible each year! To view photos from the waterski clinics, click here.

Join us for this exciting opportunity to try the Paralympic sport of Wheelchair Curling! This team sport of skill and strategy involves sliding granite stones across the ice while aiming for the target. The clinic includes instruction from talented athletes and instructors from USA Curling, all equipment and time on the ice to try the sport. Veterans with a disability are also encouraged to attend. It will be held at Nutmeg Curling Club in Bridgeport, CT which is wheelchair accessible from the parking lot to the ice!

Adaptive Kayak Classes are designed to provide adults with a physical disability the opportunity to learn or re-learn to kayak. Professional kayak instructors teach the basics of paddle strokes, kayak equipment, safety and how to adapt or modify for individual needs. This is a two-part class during two consecutive weeks. Once a participant completes both classes, they will be eligible to participate in open water paddles with the Sports Association.

The Sports Association Adaptive Golf Clinics at Gaylord Hospital 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 receive instruction from golf professionals as well as Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists to give the best possible instruction and support independence. Beginners and returning participants are welcome and all equipment is provided.

Come try the Paralympic sport of Boccia. Boccia is a throwing sport of precision which has been adapted for athletes with physical disabilities. Boccia can be adapted to athletes with severe disabilities with a few modifications. The object is to place balls closest to the target ball. Games are played one on one, in pairs, and teams of three.

The event on October 24 will be a clinic that explains the game of boccia including rules, strategies, and equipment. Following the presentation, participants will have a chance to play the game.

The November and December events will involve warmups and training games/strategy which will be followed by open play. Come join us for some training and games! All are welcome!

Come and try this sport of skill and accuracy by registering for one of our Indoor 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.