There is a real freedom that comes when we read the wind, work the sails and head where we want, free of speed bumps and yellow lines. Yes, a wonderful freedom that lasts so long yet ends so early. The boats are all out of the water, the dock is empty and all of out sailors are wearing warm sweaters instead of hats and t-shirts. As much as I love the winter I do miss those wonderful days summer days spent sailing around the Bay of Quinte.
Although the bay is frozen we can recapture that sense of freedom by trading our sails for skis and enjoying the snow in a special way – it’s called Track 3 skiing. The name is derived from the three tracks left in the snow by a skier carving down a run on a single ski while using two outrigger poles with small ski blades for balance and turning. Depending on the nature of the disability, a skier may eventually do without the outriggers and use conventional ski poles.
Track 3 Skiing provides children, youth and adults with disabilities the opportunity to safely experience the pleasure of downhill skiing as a leisure activity. Post-Second World War servicemen, injured during their tour of duty, were pioneers of the specialized alpine sport (watch it during the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver). In the late 1940s, these soldiers with disabilities benefited from courses teaching them how to ski despite their injuries.
Besides being a speedy sailor, Jennifer Smith is also a downhill demon when she hits the hills at Batawa – she spoke about her experiences last year during an interview with the Trentonian.
The Batawa ski hill is the host facility for our local Track 3 program. Similar programs are operating at Georgian Peaks Ski Club, Alpine Ski Club and Craigleith Ski Club in the Collingwood area, the London Ski Club and Horseshoe Valley Ski Club in Barrie and the Waterloo Region Track 3 Ski School.
For more information check the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing, the Ontario Track 3 ski organization, the London Track 3 program, the Waterloo Track 3 program
The skiing ability is the same – the only difference is the Tracks in the snow…
