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

Mon Jul 27 21:50:16 UTC 2009

  _____  

From: United States Association of Blind Athletes [mailto:etap at usaba.org] 
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 1:54 PM
To: Christella Garcia
Subject: USABA to Host Developmental Cycling Camp for Riders with
Disabilities

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information Contact: 
July 27, 2009
Pam Fernandes, Camp Coordinator

Phone: (781) 449-9563

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psmala 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
<https://atl.etapestry.com/prod/Local%20Settings/Local%20Settings/Temporary%
20Internet%20Files/Content.IE5/Application%20Data/Qualcomm/Local%20Settings/
Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.IE5/IFM5A7KR/pamala at quik.com>
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/> http://www.usaba.org

 USABA Logo
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 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.  

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o.JPG> 

 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. 

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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

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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