By John Cowan
The Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club recently wrapped up the second season of its Eagle Para Nordic program with a celebratory Para Festival.
Launched to provide individuals with acquired or congenital disabilities an opportunity to enjoy the winter outdoors, the Eagle program complements the Skills Development Program (Bunnyrabbit, Jackrabbit, and Track Attack), which focuses on building cross-country skiing skills for youth (ages 5 to 12) from January through early March.
While the Eagle program primarily serves youth aged 18 and under, it also welcomes adults who have recently acquired a disability or are interested in learning how to para Nordic ski. The national para Nordic program offers three streams: standing (amputee), standing (visually impaired), and sit skiing. This year, the program featured two levels: a four-week introductory session and a seven-week advanced course for graduates of the first-year program. Participants learned to navigate a variety of trails, mastering control techniques for downhill skiing and climbing strategies.
Courtesy of Ontario Parks
Following the success of Arrowhead Provincial Park’s inaugural year as a host site, Cross Country Ski Ontario expanded the para Nordic program across the province, with additional offerings in Ottawa (Kanata and Nakkertok), Orangeville (Mono Nordic), and Sudbury (Kivi Park). The goal moving forward is to collaborate with children’s treatment centers throughout Ontario to build greater capacity for para Nordic skiing.
Thanks to funding from the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Organization, Cross Country Ski Ontario was able to invest in a new fleet of customizable Spike sit skis for both kneeling and seated participants. These innovative sit skis, developed by Exerotech Adaptive Sports Equipment (now SmartBrake) in Norway, feature adjustable components to meet the needs of various participants. The on-snow version attaches to standard cross-country ski bindings, while the dryland version is equipped with 9-inch pneumatic tires, independent suspension, and bicycle handbrakes for speed control and stopping.
This year, Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club was pleased to welcome two new para Nordic ski coaches: Jordyn Tannahill and Madison Buck. Both coaches were trained to instruct in para Nordic skiing and work with visually impaired athletes in guiding.
The Arrowhead Eagle Para Program also extends its gratitude to the generous sponsorship of Diana Murdy, pharmacist and owner of Huntsville Shoppers Drugmart, for her continued support.
A special acknowledgment goes to the staff at Arrowhead Provincial Park, whose efforts have made the park more accessible to all. Under the leadership of Park Superintendent Jason Crozier, the park has embraced the principles laid out by the University of Alberta’s Steadward Centre Becoming Para Ready program and the Accessible Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As a result, Arrowhead has become the first Ontario park to offer Spike sit skis for public rental, provide trail maps identifying accessible para Nordic routes, and ensure the park’s infrastructure meets the needs of all visitors. The Spike sit skis also feature an optional clapper skate, allowing participants to use the equipment on the ice skating surface.
To conclude the second season, para Nordic athletes from across Ontario, including Muskoka and Southern Ontario, gathered for a year-end event with some competing in the Ontario Youth Championships and others participants involved with a Try It day. They enjoyed a ski outing, worked on skill development, and shared a lunch together. The camaraderie and sense of community among the athletes was truly inspiring, marking a memorable end to a successful season.
(Photo courtesy of Nicole Brumpton)
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