Discussion
Following the Invictus Games thread, I thought we should have one dedicated to parasports, of all types. The Invictus Games last year were a big kick up the arse for me, and I put a post up about that...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My daughter was born missing the lower half of her left arm, and we weren't really sure what we could/couldn't and should/shouldn't do about sports. The local school was helpful, to a point - they didn't put themselves out. But chatting to some of the athletes, and in particular the action of US athlete Michael Kacer, gave us the impetus to find out more and actually do something.
Since that time in October, my daughter has been classified for track and field (T46 and F46) and for swimming (S9, SB8, SM9). In Feb she raced in a Multi-Class tournament organised by Swimming NSW at Sydney Olympic Pool. She met others like her and discovered she was more than a little competitive!
A week later, she took part in the school's annual swimming gala, and as the sole Multi-Class swimmer, made it through to the next level, Zone, for 50m Free, Breast and Back. She came through that event and was then selected to represent the Zone at the Regional event for Sydney North, held at Sydney Olympic Pool.
She then came through the Regional event, setting a new record in the 50m Freestyle Junior MC, and represented Sydney North, again at the Olympic Pool, in a true test again many other varied Multi-Class swimmers and finished with a bronze for the 50m Freestyle, a silver for the 50m Backstroke, and gold in the 50m Breaststroke. Her age means that although she holds a NSW State title, she's too young to take part in the National competition this year. That could be for next year...
I followed Jaco van Gass and Stuart Croxford in this year's Cape Epic as they came through to become the first disabled pair to complete the race. A great result and one which could influence other para-cyclists to have a go.
Over here, Kurt Fearnley and Dylan Alcott are household names, which helps normalise things.
The point of this thread though, isn't just to say how great things are, but also to show where opportunities might be. So, please add in any of your own thoughts, tales, experiences, and guidance. I know its not all roses, but its great to see what can happen.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My daughter was born missing the lower half of her left arm, and we weren't really sure what we could/couldn't and should/shouldn't do about sports. The local school was helpful, to a point - they didn't put themselves out. But chatting to some of the athletes, and in particular the action of US athlete Michael Kacer, gave us the impetus to find out more and actually do something.
Since that time in October, my daughter has been classified for track and field (T46 and F46) and for swimming (S9, SB8, SM9). In Feb she raced in a Multi-Class tournament organised by Swimming NSW at Sydney Olympic Pool. She met others like her and discovered she was more than a little competitive!
A week later, she took part in the school's annual swimming gala, and as the sole Multi-Class swimmer, made it through to the next level, Zone, for 50m Free, Breast and Back. She came through that event and was then selected to represent the Zone at the Regional event for Sydney North, held at Sydney Olympic Pool.
She then came through the Regional event, setting a new record in the 50m Freestyle Junior MC, and represented Sydney North, again at the Olympic Pool, in a true test again many other varied Multi-Class swimmers and finished with a bronze for the 50m Freestyle, a silver for the 50m Backstroke, and gold in the 50m Breaststroke. Her age means that although she holds a NSW State title, she's too young to take part in the National competition this year. That could be for next year...
I followed Jaco van Gass and Stuart Croxford in this year's Cape Epic as they came through to become the first disabled pair to complete the race. A great result and one which could influence other para-cyclists to have a go.
Over here, Kurt Fearnley and Dylan Alcott are household names, which helps normalise things.
The point of this thread though, isn't just to say how great things are, but also to show where opportunities might be. So, please add in any of your own thoughts, tales, experiences, and guidance. I know its not all roses, but its great to see what can happen.
We’ve just had another multi class event today. Meeting friends we’ve seen before was one thing, but this time there were a few S3 classified swimmers. Watching someone who can’t move their legs and barely move their arms swim 100m backstroke provides a proper definition of determination.
And these were the only two entrants in one of the butterfly events...
We’ve also now got the cross country running - already through to the regional event for NSW - and hear from others that the athletic qualifiers for national level competition are quite popular for para-athletes. Busy times ahead!
And these were the only two entrants in one of the butterfly events...
We’ve also now got the cross country running - already through to the regional event for NSW - and hear from others that the athletic qualifiers for national level competition are quite popular for para-athletes. Busy times ahead!
I'm going to keep going with this - I know there are more para-athletes out there...
We went to the NSW State Cross Country event last week. Held at Eastern Creek, aka Sydney Motorsport Park - which meant that we all got to mingle on the start/finish line on the Brabham Straight, and have a walk around large parts of the racetrack. I need to go back and go round again on four wheels...
Anyway, my daughter won her class, which was a huge achievement as she only took the class lead with about 100m to go, refusing to be beaten by the U16 boy who was also sprinting for the line. Again, too young to go to the national competition, but more importantly, met others with similar differences. One such person was a girl she raced against in the pool back in April - the two of them have the same difference and conversation immediately went to how stuff gets done with one arm!
We've also had some help and advice from others, including a couple of Paralympians. Everyone we have approached has been helpful and has provided more info to help us further. We're noticing that the community around multi-class sports, whilst competitive, is very much all-inclusive.
Awareness over here has been helped by Dylan Alcott winning the inaugural wheelchair tennis tournament at this year's Wimbledon - and he's also working with a campaign called Remove the Barrier to help all with a disability find work.
Swimming NSW has another MC Meet in a week's time and athletics starts in 2 weeks, and we're already signed up for the 100m, 200m and long jump - after the cross-country its been decided that long distance running probably ain't our thing!
We went to the NSW State Cross Country event last week. Held at Eastern Creek, aka Sydney Motorsport Park - which meant that we all got to mingle on the start/finish line on the Brabham Straight, and have a walk around large parts of the racetrack. I need to go back and go round again on four wheels...
Anyway, my daughter won her class, which was a huge achievement as she only took the class lead with about 100m to go, refusing to be beaten by the U16 boy who was also sprinting for the line. Again, too young to go to the national competition, but more importantly, met others with similar differences. One such person was a girl she raced against in the pool back in April - the two of them have the same difference and conversation immediately went to how stuff gets done with one arm!
We've also had some help and advice from others, including a couple of Paralympians. Everyone we have approached has been helpful and has provided more info to help us further. We're noticing that the community around multi-class sports, whilst competitive, is very much all-inclusive.
Awareness over here has been helped by Dylan Alcott winning the inaugural wheelchair tennis tournament at this year's Wimbledon - and he's also working with a campaign called Remove the Barrier to help all with a disability find work.
Swimming NSW has another MC Meet in a week's time and athletics starts in 2 weeks, and we're already signed up for the 100m, 200m and long jump - after the cross-country its been decided that long distance running probably ain't our thing!
I'm not a para-athlete but I am interested in the topic and I'm particularly interested in the swimming part of it. Years ago I was a really keen triathlete and swam 4 times a week. Now I just go once or twice a week to help keep reasonably trim.
As someone who thought he knew a bit about swimming I had a moment of clarity in 2012 when I got home from work one day and switched on the paralympics to see a Chinese woman with no arms swim beautifully and win a 100metres race. I loved that race and went on to enjoy the 2012 paralymics more than I'd even enjoyed the "regular" Olympics just before. I really think that was down to my chance watching of that one swimming race. I think it's very easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to be 6 feet 6 and have long arms and massive hands and feet to be a good swimmer but it's clearly nothing of the sort. Ellie Simmonds clearly doesn't look like that but when I see her filmed from underwater it shows me that I'm not a really fast swimmer because my technique is mediocre and I've simply never worked hard enough. I find that good feeling, not a bad one
Good luck to you and your daughter.
As someone who thought he knew a bit about swimming I had a moment of clarity in 2012 when I got home from work one day and switched on the paralympics to see a Chinese woman with no arms swim beautifully and win a 100metres race. I loved that race and went on to enjoy the 2012 paralymics more than I'd even enjoyed the "regular" Olympics just before. I really think that was down to my chance watching of that one swimming race. I think it's very easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to be 6 feet 6 and have long arms and massive hands and feet to be a good swimmer but it's clearly nothing of the sort. Ellie Simmonds clearly doesn't look like that but when I see her filmed from underwater it shows me that I'm not a really fast swimmer because my technique is mediocre and I've simply never worked hard enough. I find that good feeling, not a bad one
Good luck to you and your daughter.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff