[Sportsandrec] Fw: USABA to Host Developmental Cycling Camp for Riders with Disabilities

Wed Jul 22 00:40:18 UTC 2009

----- Original Message ----- 
From: United States Association of Blind Athletes 
To: Christella Garcia 
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 5:22 PM
Subject: USABA to Host Developmental Cycling Camp for Riders with Disabilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             For More Information Contact: 
July 21, 2009                                                                                                      Pam Fernandes, Camp Coordinator
Phone: (781) 449-9563
pamala at quik.com  

“Learn To Race” Cycling Camp to Be Offered to Riders with Disabilities
at The U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs

            (Colorado Springs, Colorado) – September 12-19, 2009, the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA), will host a Developmental Cycling Camp for Riders with Disabilities at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. Partnering with USABA are U.S. Hand Cycling, Disabled Sports USA, and U.S. Paralympics. 

             Cyclists with physical disabilities ages 16 and up, are welcome to apply for this camp. Athletes will learn bike handling skills, safe riding techniques and road racing strategies.  Instruction in track riding will also be provided. Athletes eligible for participation include: blind and visually impaired cyclists and their sighted pilots who ride tandem bikes, cyclists with lower mobility impairments who use hand cycles, cyclists with cerebral palsy or head injury who use both standard bikes and tricycles' and amputee cyclists who ride either single bikes or hand cycles. A special invitation is extended to veterans and active duty service members who sustained physical disabilities as a result of service in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. 

“This is an outstanding opportunity for cyclists who want to increase their riding knowledge and experience. We also want to identify athletes to compete for the United States in future regional and national events, which may also include the Paralympic Games", said Mark Lucas, Executive Director of the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes.  

             Camp staff will include certified cycling coaches, a certified mechanic and guest speakers from a variety of sports related fields. Several current Paralympic cyclists may join a ride or speak with attendees to share their experience. 

Riders attending camp will be on their bikes twice per day participating in skill drills, practicing safe riding techniques and competing in race simulations. There will also be evening lectures. "We will help network interested riders into their local riding and racing communities as much as possible and provide a schedule of future race opportunities," said Pam Fernandes, camp coordinator and former Paralympic cyclist.

Whatever the outcome for each rider, the goal of the camp is to foster a passion for riding and staying physically fit. After completing camp, some participants will choose to become recreational riders while others will strive to become Paralympic champions. No matter which road athletes choose, the camp will open new opportunities for sports and recreation to people with physical disabilities. In the past, some camp attendees have gone on to become Paralympic and World Champions, setting National, World and Paralympic Records. 

Food, housing and transportation to and from the airport will be provided by the U.S. Olympic Training Center as part of the camp.  Athletes will be responsible for their own travel arrangements and will be asked to pay a nominal fee to attend the camp. 

Riders are asked to bring their own bikes and gear to the camp.  Tandem riders are encouraged to bring their own pilots (riding partners), but if needed, USABA will assist in finding partners for visually impaired riders.

Application deadline  is August 10, 2009. 

For more information or to request an application, contact Pam Fernandes at pamala at quik.com or call (781) 449-9563.  Information about the camp and an application can also be downloaded from the USABA web site at http://www.usaba.org

 The United States Association of Blind Athletes enhances the lives of blind and visually impaired people by providing the opportunity for participation in sports and physical activity. Additional funding to the camp for military applicants is available through USABA’s Mission Vision program: http://www.usaba.org.  

 United States Handcycling Federation, Inc. is a non-profit corporation designed to create integrated cycling opportunities for wheelchair users and athletes with lower-mobility impairments:  http://www/ushf.org

Additional funding to the camp for military applicants is available through a grant from Paralyzed Veterans of America. 

Disabled Sports USA providess the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to gain confidence and dignity through participation in sports, recreation and related educational programs:  http://www.dsusa.org
Wounded Warriors interested in receiving a scholarship to the event through the Wounded Warriors Disabled Sports Project should contact Julia Ray at Events at DSUSA.org

US Paralympics,a division of the US Olympic Committee is dedicated to becoming the world leader in the Paralympic sports movement and promoting excellence in the lives of people with physical disabilities.   http://www.usparalympics.org