On water with High-Challenge Sports - Windsurfing, Kayaking and Outrigger Canoeing: The ratio of instructor to athlete is close to one to one. Land training is first, if we can hold our athlete's attention, otherwise we're off paddling with at least two Instructors in each Outrigger. We build an understanding of which side to paddle, how and when to switch sides, and safety issues. We generally work on one of six protocols in an Outrigger session - straight arms, paddling in sync as a crew, "stir the soup" or quiet paddling, shortening strokes, power, and endurance. The sessions begin with light warm up paddling. Next we might go to a drill like 8 stroke races in which the crew with fewest out of sync strokes wins. We usually conclude with a race against other boat(s) which ends with good sporting by telling the others they were terrific, whether in victory or defeat. Aloha spirit is encouraged. Windsurfing is much more individualized. We start with very stable boards (we've invented several styles from tandem catamaran styles with seats or standers to wide single boards). We try to teach windsurfing more by feel and intuition than by over talking. The commands are simple from tilt the sail forward or back to close the door or open the door. The motion of the sail is aided by an Instructor holding the mast initially and later for some standing or sailing next to the student on the board. No one goes for a 'free' ride. Everyone has to have input and be a part of the sail. Depending on the athlete's comfort we'll go for long or short sails. Even a 10 minute sail will go a long way in giving an athlete confidence.
On land with Conditioning & Sports - Soccer, as example: After the warm greeting, a stretch and fitness work-out happens first. We use games to engage our athletes - as example heading soccer balls, doing oblique crunches or finishing song phrases before coming up from a squat. Then we work on aerobic conditioning using options like obstacle courses or other movement drills, often with soccer balls. The point is to safely elevate the heart rate of our athletes for a few minutes. Even if the athlete is in a power chair we might emphasize something like raising their leg or arm or rocking while moving in the chair. Next we teach a soccer skill - for example, trapping the ball, learning to pass with the inside of the foot or a move. This is the last half hour of class; the focus eventually is to use the skill in a game in the last 10-15 minutes. Again, the drills are fun and driven by team competition. The drills can be relay races, juggling contests or even soccer bowling (kicking balls off cones). The final game is small sided so everyone gets a chance for many touches of the ball. Each session ends with a cheer.
Our athletes and their families, teachers and the community-at-large as well as our partners and collaborators are learning that each athlete can do more than ever thought possible as accomplishments on the water or land carry over into everyday lives.
"Together, we are changing the face of rehabilitation and a life lived with a disability" - Ross Lilley, AccesSportAmerica Executive Director/Founder.
On water with High-Challenge Sports - Windsurfing, Kayaking and Outrigger Canoeing: The ratio of instructor to athlete is close to one to one. Land training is first, if we can hold our athlete's attention, otherwise we're off paddling with at least two Instructors in each Outrigger. We build an understanding of which side to paddle, how and when to switch sides, and safety issues. We generally work on one of six protocols in an Outrigger session - straight arms, paddling in sync as a crew, "stir the soup" or quiet paddling, shortening strokes, power, and endurance. The sessions begin with light warm up paddling. Next we might go to a drill like 8 stroke races in which the crew with fewest out of sync strokes wins. We usually conclude with a race against other boat(s) which ends with good sporting by telling the others they were terrific, whether in victory or defeat. Aloha spirit is encouraged. Windsurfing is much more individualized. We start with very stable boards (we've invented several styles from tandem catamaran styles with seats or standers to wide single boards). We try to teach windsurfing more by feel and intuition than by over talking. The commands are simple from tilt the sail forward or back to close the door or open the door. The motion of the sail is aided by an Instructor holding the mast initially and later for some standing or sailing next to the student on the board. No one goes for a 'free' ride. Everyone has to have input and be a part of the sail. Depending on the athlete's comfort we'll go for long or short sails. Even a 10 minute sail will go a long way in giving an athlete confidence.
