Table of Contents
- BC Blind Sports Athlete to be inducted into the BC SPORTS HALL OF FAME – JASON DELESALLE
- DRAGON BOAT 2021
- GOALBALL
- ICE HOCKEY – New location and schedule
- TENNIS
- ACTIVE LIVING NETWORK FOR ADULTS
- ONLINE ZOOM PROGRAMS – UPDATED SCHEDULE
- IN PERSON FITNESS CLASSES
- RETURN TO SPORT
- IN MEMERORY OF SHIRLEY SHELBY
- HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED A CONCUSSION?
- HAPPY AUTUMN
As many facilities and programs are requiring vaccine passports or other COVID protocols please check with us at the office about these requirements before starting any program.
1. BC Blind Sports Athlete to be inducted into the BC SPORTS HALL OF FAME – JASON DELESALLE
Congratulations to Jason Delesalle – Para Athletics! Jason has been selected for induction into the BC Sports Hall of Fame, class of 2021, as an athlete. Jason began his passion for athletics in high school in Tumbler Ridge BC. He then became involved with BC Blind Sports where he met his coach Don Steen. Through his hard work, commitment and working with Don he began competing internationally in 1990 at the World Youth Games where he won a silver medal in Javelin. He went on to compete at three Paralympic Games winning a silver medal in 1992 Barcelona, and a gold and bronze in 1996 Atlanta. He also competed and won medals at four world championships, ending with a Bronze in Discus at the IBSA World Games in Quebec City in 2003. Jason won numerous medals in Javelin, Discus and Pentathlon in all levels of competition. Today Jason continues his passion for athletics by coaching at the Royal City Track and Field Club in New Westminster, BC
Photo showing Jason DeleSalle throwing discus from a throwing circle into a large grassy field.
https://www.paralympic.org/jason-delesalle
Congratulations Jason!
2. DRAGON BOAT 2021
Congratulations to everyone for a great season of Dragon Boating. Two of our 5 dragon boat teams were able to return to training and competition this summer. Dragons Insight and Vision Impossible returned facing the challenges of COVID protocols, and made it work with ease and no fuss.
An article written by Dragon Boat volunteer Paul Mak:
The morning sun rose over False Creek. It was a beautiful Race Day, sunny with patches of cloud and not too hot. Thousand of spectators and the dragon boat teams converged onto the race site for a day of exciting races.
The two BC Blind Sports teams (Dragons Insight and Vision Impossible) gathered around their tents, visibly excited, smiling, chatting and ready. The last few weeks of training had invigorated them from the relative inactivity of the past year. Everyone, the old and the new paddlers alike, could not wait to jump onto the boat and start paddling.
Race after race, they resolved to work hard and were determined to give it their all. Strong in the competition, both teams – Dragons Insight and Vision Impossible – reached, pulled and stroked their way to the finish line every race. Well done, paddlers, steers and callers who worked hard. We are so proud of you. Have a well-deserved break, we’ll see you next season.
Reminder – If you want to stay fit during the off season – check out the information below about the twice weekly virtual dragon boat fitness sessions.
3. GOALBALL
Practices for goalball are now continuing twice a week, Wednesday practices are for throwing techniques from 7:15pm to 8:15pm, and Sunday practices are full practices from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. If you are interested in coming out and trying goalball or wanting to volunteer please contact Mike at the office and he will give you the information you need. Practices are at Collingwood Neighbourhood House Community Centre, and you must show your Vaccine card when you enter their facility.
4. ICE HOCKEY – New location and schedule.
The Eclipse Blind Hockey Team has a new training and a new ice time! We are now at the new accessible facility, the North Surrey Sports and Ice Center near the Scott Road Sky-Train station. Our ice time is every Sunday from 4:45pm to 5:45pm with the exceptions of a couple of dates.
We also continue to practice every other Friday at Moody Park Arena in New Westminster. If you are interested in trying blind hockey, learning to skate, or just to come watch us play, please contact Graham at gfoxcroft11@gmail.com for more information!
Our New Training Venue: North Surrey Sports and Ice Center
10950 – 126-A Street, Surrey, B.C. V3V 0E5
Day and time: Every Sunday 4:45pm-5:45pm
Thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you on the ice!
5. TENNIS
Please note the schedule for tennis is now every Tuesday from 3:30pm to 5:00pm same location Pinetree Community Centre, 1260 Pinetree Way in Coquitlam.
Please be aware that everyone participating in Blind Tennis will have to present your vaccine card and ID every single time you come to play. This is the City of Coquitlam’s policy for every adult program. For more information please contact Susan or Mike at the BC Blind Sports office.
6. ACTIVE LIVING NETWORK FOR ADULTS
The BC Active Living Network program provided by BC Blind Sports is back in action after the long, hot summer! The purpose of this dynamic group of individuals is to encourage and motivate each other to enjoy a more active lifestyle. Along with contributing to the weekly totals of our combined steps and kilometres, we meet every few weeks on Zoom for presentations on health and wellness topics chosen by group members. Here is a summary of the last two meetings and a sneak peek into the future:
- On August 16, BC Blind Sports Executive Director, Jane Blaine gave an informative presentation on Body Awareness. Jane explained the relationships between various bones, muscles, and joints, and helped us to understand common terms often illustrated only as pictures. Jane also answered many questions put forward by group members.
- On October 5, Physiotherapist Derek Monkman gave a great talk on hiking skills. Derek explained that good balance is key to staying safe on unfamiliar or uneven terrain and introduced us to several exercises for improving balance. Derek has since created a great document describing these exercises so we can practice them on our own time.
Here is what is on tap for upcoming meetings, dates, and times still to be determined:
- Jane Blaine has offered to share her experience at the recent Tokyo Paralympic Games, and will be distributing a “cheat sheet” on her Body Awareness presentation.
- Derek Monkman has offered to chat with us again about balance, fall prevention, and any other topics of interest.
- A presentation by a respirologist on better breathing techniques is in the planning stages.
- When COVID protocols allow, Jane has offered to lead us in an in-person session where group members will have an opportunity to touch a plastic skeleton to understand more about joints, muscles, and bones.
Throughout the autumn and winter, we will be applying our accumulated kilometres to a walking tour across our beautiful country, learning more about the provinces and places along our route through members’ experiences and research. We started in BC and have walked almost 6,500 kilometres since May, and we will attempt to determine our current location at our November meeting.
If you enjoy being active, have ideas to share, and wish to learn more about health and wellness, this group is for you!
If you would like to sign up, contact Susan at susan@bcblindsports.ca
7. ONLINE ZOOM PROGRAMS – UPDATED SCHEDULE
The time for the Dragon Boat Fitness training on Monday nights has been changed, it will now start at 7pm and run until 8pm. Please see the full schedule of all our online classes below:
· Chair Yoga with Candice – Sundays 6pm and Thursdays 12pm noon
· Dragon Boat Fitness with Cindy – Monday 7pm and Tuesday 9:30am
· Fitness with Brian – Wednesday 2pm and Thursdays at 7pm
8. IN PERSON FITNESS CLASSES
We are re opening our in-person fitness classes with Brian in Nanaimo, the classes will be held at the Nanaimo Lawn Bowling club, we hope to have this program starting in November.
We are in the process of opening a light fitness class in the Kelowna area starting in November. If you are interested, please contact the office and Susan will give you all the information you will need to join. There is no cost other than your membership to BC Blind Sports.
9. RETURN TO SPORT
For information on what you need to know to participate or how to register in any of these sports, please contact Mike Lonergan at the office 604-325-8638 or email him at mike@bcblindsports.bc.ca and he will give you the details you need to get back in the game. Information on return to sport is also available on our website.
10. IN MEMORY OF SHIRLEY SHELBY
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Shirley Shelby on Tuesday, August 24th, 2021. Shirley was Ontario Blind Sports Association’s (OBSA) past president and an iconic figure in the world of blind sports.
11. HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED A CONCUSSION?
If you have experienced a concussion, please help Canadian Blind Sports out with their research into concussions in athletes who are blind or partially sighted.
The Concussion in Blind and Visually Impaired Athletes research project is looking for participants to complete an online, anonymous survey on concussion and vision impairments. Eligible participants are athletes or retired athletes diagnosed with a vision impairment or blindness currently competing or have competed in the provincial, national, or high-performance level who have sustained at least one concussion. This research is being conducted to progress knowledge and understanding of how athletes who are blind or visually impaired experience concussion.
The deadline for survey submission is November 1, 2021.
Before starting the survey, please read the recruitment letter and information letter. Prior to the survey, the link below contains an online consent form that must be completed before starting the survey.
Link to online consent form and Survey: https://quark.uwaterloo.ca/redcap/surveys/?s=CENEJKJW3X
12. HAPPY AUTUMN
With Autumn upon us, we hope you stay safe and enjoy all your activities whether they are indoors or outdoors.
Stay safe, healthy and active
Jane, Mike, David, Susan and Linda
BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association
#606 – 4980 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4K7
Tel: 604-325-8638 Toll Free: 1-877-604-8638
Fax: 604-325-1638
Email: susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca
Web Site: www.bcblindsports.bc.ca
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