(Supplied)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

"we adapt to what the student needs"

Canadian Adaptive Snowsports wants more participants and volunteers in Red Deer

Dec 31, 2022 | 2:00 PM

The Red Deer chapter of Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS) wants you to join their ranks.

Whether you’re a prospective participant or a helpful volunteer, the non-profit organization, which has been around for 35 years in central Alberta, is looking to grow its numbers and help more people.

Gord Mackenzie has been with CADS from the moment it came to Red Deer.

Mackenzie explains that CADS helps participants with all types of disabilities, and from age five and up. Close to 30 athletes take part annually.

“We’re all volunteers and our reward is seeing the smiles on faces every day. Getting those folks out in the wintertime is so important because otherwise they’re likely locked up watching TV,” he says.

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A volunteer open house is happening January 7 at Canyon Ski Resort. All volunteers receive training and CADS certification. To register for the info session, contact CADS through its Facebook page.

Meantime, participants can sign up for the six-week program which runs every Friday night from January 13 to Feb. 17 at Canyon Ski Resort.

“As a student myself, at 50, there are very few things I can actually do because of my disability,” says Mary Schick, the chapter’s vice-president, who shares that she has deformed bones.

“This is one of the very few things that gets me out to enjoy the outdoors in a safe environment with great people helping me be the best I can be.”

Schick got started on the sit ski about five years ago.

“My husband had seen something about this program on Facebook, signed me up and said ‘Guess what we’re doing.’ Poor Gord has been stuck with me since,” she jokes.

“A couple others regularly ski with me and help me get upright when I crash. But we laugh and it’s the greatest thing.”

People wanting to try it out before getting in deep for the whole six weeks can attend a Ride and Slide day on Feb. 26; lift passes will be provided.

“Some skiers have been with us for 20 years,” says Mackenzie. “The key thing is we adapt the equipment to the kids, not the kids to the equipment. That includes our volunteers, who adapt to what the student needs.”

The six-week program costs $225, with the non-profit operating off donations, and sometimes grants.

To find out more, contact CADS Red Deer through its Facebook page, or email cadsreddeer@gmail.com.