CANADIAN ADAPTIVE SNOWBOARD PROGRAM - Canada ...

CANADIAN ADAPTIVE
SNOWBOARD PROGRAM
Sport Building Workshop Report
2nd annual CASP NATIONAL SUMMIT • Whistler, BC• March 11 to 15th , 2008

Table of Contents
I.Introduction
II.Canadian Adaptive Snowboard Program Background
a.What is Adaptive Snowboarding?
b.Integration
c.Review of the 2007/08 CASP Season
d.What’s Next?
III.Communication Strategies
IV.Competition Format
V.Classification
VI.Workshop Feedback
VII.For more Information
APPENDIX A: Results: Adaptive Snowboard World Cup
APPENDIX B: Classification System: Adaptive Snowboard World
Cup
APPENDIX C: Adaptive Participant Development Model (PDM)
APPENDIX D: Coach Development Model (CDM)
Attendees:
Adaptive Snowboarding athletes from Canada, France &
Netherlands
Adaptive Snowboarding coaches and instructors from across
Canada
Administrators from the able-body snowboard industry
� Canadian Snowboard Federation (CSF)
� World Snowboard Federation (WSF)
Canadian disabled snow sport community
� Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing (CADS)
� Disabled Skiers Association of British Columbia (DSABC)
� Whistler Adaptive Sports Program
� Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA)
� Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)
� Coaches of Canada
� Canadian Ski Coaches Federation (CSCF)

I.Introduction
The second CASP Sport Building Workshop was held on March 15, 2008 in Whistler, British Columbia,
Canada in conjunction with the second annual CASP Adaptive Snowboard World Cup Event held the
previous day. The event was a first not only in terms of its being the first adaptive event on the world
stage, but it also introduced the initial attempt at a formal classification system.
The significance of holding the second Sport Building Workshop immediately after this event, is that
the ability to draw an international adaptive snowboard athletic field to an event, as well as the
introduction of a classification process provided the stage from which the pursuit of entry into the IPC
Paralympic Winter Games for either 2014 or 2018 can be successfully driven.
Through Canadian leadership, this is also
the second meeting that has been hosted
in Canada in an attempt to ensure that
dialogue continues to evolve not simply
through a Canadian voice, but ultimately
as an international group. Attendance by
s p o k e s p e r s o n s f r o m F r a n c e a n d
Netherlands for this second Sport Building
Workshop ensures that the international
reach continues to grow.
Key elements of the second annual CASP
International Summit:
CASP Train to Train (T2T) Athlete
Development Camp for athletes and
coaches;
Adaptive Snowboard World Cup (sling-shot Snowboardcross format); and
Second annual CASP International Sport Building Workshop.
The CASP International Sport Building Workshop was a full day seminar that brought interested
parties such as athletes, coaches, instructors and administrators at the international, national and
provincial levels to discuss the continued development of adaptive snowboarding, with a focus on
issues such as competition framework, classification of disabilities, and process for moving ahead in
pursuit of entry to the IPC Paralympic stage.
3

Athletes on-site:
Emily Cavallin, Telka, BC – Below-knee amputee
Bibian Mentel, Netherlands – Below-knee amputee
Tyler Mosher, Whistler, BC – Incomplete paraplegic
Ian Lockey, Rossland, BC – Incomplete paraplegic
Mike Fisher, Forest, ON – Below-knee amputee
John Clark, Horseshoe Valley, ON – Below-knee amputee
Devin Rochon, Calgary, AB – Below-elbow arm amputee
Jean-Claude Loiseau, France – Above-elbow arm amputee
Corey Hansen, Oxford, NS – Fused knees and elbows
Coaches on-site:
Ivan Sierralta, Calgary, AB – certification: CADS level 2 & CASI level 2
Hirokazu Ozawa, Wentworth, NS – certification: CASI certified & CSCP Basic Coach (able-body
& adaptive)
Danny Buntain, Vancouver, BC – certification: CSCP Basic Coach trained (able-body &
adaptive)
Christian Hrab, Mt-Tremblant, QC – certification: CSCP Comp Dev trained, NCCP 4 in-training
& CASI level 4 certified
Attendees at the International Sport Building Workshop:
Tom McIllfaterick – Canadian Snowboard Federation
Michael Gray – Canadian Snowboard Federation
Jean Claude Loiseau – Athlete France
Bibian Mentel – Athlete Netherlands
Sietse Breedijk – Whistler Adaptive Sports Program
Jiro Kanazawa – Whistler Adaptive Sports Program
Hirokazu Ozawa –Wentworth, NS - Adaptive Snowboard Coach
Diana Rochon – Canadian Sport Centre Pacific
Rob Needham – High Performance Director, Canadian Paralympic Committee
Christian Hrab, Mt-Tremblant, QC – High Performance Director, Canadian Snowboard
Federation
Andrew George – BC Snowboard Association
Chelsey Walker – Whistler Adaptive Sports Program
Emily Cavallin – Athlete
Andrea Holmes – Athlete
Tyler Mosher – Athlete
Ivan Sierralta, Calgary, AB – Calgary Snowboard Club Adaptive Snowboard Head Coach
Corey Hansen, Oxford, NS - Athlete
Danny Buntain, Vancouver, BC – Canadian Adaptive Snowboard Program Manager; World
Snowboard Federation
Ozzie Sawicki – Sport Building Workshop Facilitator
4

II.Canadian Adaptive Snowboard Program (CASP) Background
a) What is Adaptive Snowboarding?
Adaptive Snowboarding refers to a modified version of the sport, with changes in equipment, rules,
and technical specifications that enable persons with physical disabilities to participate in both
recreational and competitive activities. Snowboarders who have become disabled and others who live
with a disability want to be a part of the sport, recreation, and lifestyle that is snowboarding.
The Canadian Snowboard Federation recognizes this interest and, as the national governing body for
the sport of snowboarding, is addressing it through the Canadian Adaptive Snowboard Program.
The CSF is in the second year of developing a comprehensive adaptive snowboarding program. A
series of events have been staged across Canada over the 2007/08 season culminating with the first
ever Adaptive Snowboard World Cup held on March 14, 2008 in Whistler, BC. The events which have
been held over this past year are a significant element in the development of the foundation
requirements that will lead to efforts for inclusion of Adaptive Snowboarding in either the 2014
Paralympic Winter Games in Russia or the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, not yet selected.
b) Integration
The CSF’s philosophy of adaptive snowboarding is to have it fully integrated with the delivery of
programs and activities for able-bodied participants of the sport. Adaptive snowboarding is currently
integrated into Vision 2020: The Long Term Athlete Development Plan for Snowboarding, and into
the Canadian Snowboard Coaching Program.
Vision 2020: The Long Term Athlete Development Plan for Snowboarding identifies appropriate
activities for snowboard athletes accordingly to carefully designed stages of development, such as
“Learn to Ride” and “Train to Train”. Detailed information on Vision 2020 is available at www.csf.ca/en/
dev/ltad.
The Canadian Snowboard Coaching Program (CSCP) is the CSF’s resource for the training and
certification of snowboard coaches. The CSCP is a part of the Coaching Association of Canada’s
National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Detailed information on the CSCP is available at
www.csf.ca/en/coaching.
5

c) Review of the 2007/08 CASP season
Learn to Ride (L2R) Athlete Development Camps
Description:
Introduction to racing skills (competition)
Building turning skills with speed (emphasis on developing
fundamental snowboard skills)
Learning to find balance and stability
Introduction to general fitness framework
Dates:
April 20-22, 2007 (Whistler, BC)
January 25-27, 2008 (Mt. Tremblant, QC)
Train to Train (T2T) Athlete Development Camps
Description:
Focus on technical training (on and off snow) & competition
preparation
Discipline specialization (Snowboardcross training)
Core strength & injury prevention
High volume, low intensity workloads
Dates:
February 20-21, 2008 (Canada Olympic Park, Alberta)
March 11-12, 2008 (Whistler, BC)
Adaptive Snowboarding Competitions
Adaptive Snowboarding Regional Event (in conjunction with RBC
Riders)
February 22, 2008 (Canada Olympic Park, AB)
Multi-discipline RBC Riders course (Alpine gates, Snowboardcross
banked turns, freestyle jumps and rails)
RBC Riders Handbook:
http://www.csf.ca/File/RBCRidersHandbookV2.pdf
Adaptive Snowboard World Cup (Sanctioned by the World
Snowboard Federation)
March 14, 2008 (Whistler, BC)
The competition was run as a sling-shot Snowboardcross format
Best-of three (3) time trials runs with inspection and training
Prizes were awarded to the top three women and men in their
disability class
Adaptive Snowboarding athletes from Canada, Netherlands and
France competed
6

d) What’s Next?
The CSF is continuing to research adaptive snowboarding, develop resources, and build a network of
program delivery points.
Objectives for the next year are to:
Increase awareness of adaptive snowboarding in Canada.
Increase participation by athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers.
Work with interested parties in refining the design of adaptive snowboarding equipment (e.g. sitsnowboards).
Stage at least 3 adaptive snowboarding competitions in Canada (2 regional/national & 1
international level event(s)).
Attend a European based World Cup or southern hemisphere event.
Actively assist the development of adaptive snowboarding in other countries.
Actively promote the staging of an international seminar in Europe to further the development of
adaptive snowboarding.
Develop a classification process that can be tested over the 2008-09 season.
Develop a communications strategy through the WSF and make it available to each nation of
interest.
Objectives for the next five years include:
Continue the development of adaptive snowboarding policies, procedures, and resource
materials.
Develop a national adaptive snowboarding program with instructional and/or competitive
opportunities available at a minimum of thirty program delivery points.
Organize an annual series of adaptive snowboarding competitions in Canada.
Actively assist the development of adaptive snowboarding in other countries with a goal of
programs in at least ten countries on at least three continents.
Actively promote the development of an international adaptive snowboarding competition series
and a quadrennial Adaptive Snowboard World Championships.
Gain the inclusion of Adaptive Snowboarding in the Paralympic Winter Games in 2014.
7

III.Communication Strategies
a) Effective Promotional Strategies
Issues
Need to develop an awareness plan (see “No Accidental Champions”; LTAD for Athletes with a
Disability, p.16).
Need to develop national and international adaptive snowboarding networks.
Recommendations:
Get the word out about adaptive snowboarding
Website (adaptive snowboarding section on the CSF website)
� http://www.csf.ca/en/dev/adaptive/
� Constant updates
� Weblinks to able body provincial associations and clubs, disabled snowboard programs,
competition opportunities, etc.
Effective visual (i.e pictures, video clips, etc.) promotion of the sport: Making the disability visible
(i.e. showing the prothesis, adaptive equipment, etc.)
Promote the program to physiotherapists, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, etc. where people with
disabilities are prominent
� Posters with business cards and/or contact information
� Provid basic accurate and up-to-date information
Be present in the media as much as possible (i.e. CSF news releases)
Utilize social networking media (You Tube, etc.)
Adaptive Snowboard DVD: Park to Podium is available to view on You Tube: http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBxmvxK2R74
b) Sharing of Contacts & Networks within the Disabled Snow Sport Community
Issues
Who should we be communicating to at the provincial, national and international level to
effectively promote adaptive snowboarding and its activities?
Are there provinces and countries already involved in implementing adaptive snowboarding
activities? If so, who and how do we get in contact with them?
Recommendations:
Build provincial networks (i.e. able-body provincial associations & clubs, CADS programs and
disabled clubs)
Have a provincial adaptive snowboarding coordinator to distribute information from the CSF (at
the national level) down through the provinces.
8

IV.Competition Format
The CASP introduced the competition formats of Parallel Giant Slalom (PGS) & Parallel Slalom (PSL)
during the 2006/07 season in consideration of attracting a participant base that could become involved
in a competition format that was both safe and held on easily managed terrain. With the evolution of
the sport, and the assessment of the events held over the first year of competition, a transition to the
single person (also known as a “sling-shot”) Snowboardcross format has been adopted as the event of
choice. The sling-shot format consists of a “best-of” 2 or 3 time trial runs.
A sling-shot Snowboardcross format provides a combination of both race and freestyle elements, while
challenging the athletes regardless of their disability. The event format is also conducive to a
classification process, which will ultimately be a required element for entry to the Paralympic level of
international competition.
Competition rules will be established based on
the 2004 FIS International Snowboard
C o m p e t i t i o n R u l e s f o r a b l e - b o d y
Snowboardcross (2700). Adaptations will be
made around the technical difficulty of the terrain
features used in a Snowboardcross course (a list
of terrain features are provided below). The
Adaptive Snowboardcross course will be one of
low technical difficulty consisting of banks, rollers
and minor jumps.
Able-body Snowboardcross Terrain Features:
Banks (single, double)
Jumps (single, double, triple)
Step-up jumps, Step-down jumps, Pro-style jumps, hip jumps, table-top jumps, etc.
Spines (single, double)
Offset rollers (single, double, triple)
Attendees of the International Task Force meeting
were in agreement as to the format being adopted,
and will continue to pursue this format into the
2008/09 competition year.
9

V.Classification
There are four general categories of adaptive snowboarders: standing, sitting, and visually impaired
physical categories, and snowboarding for persons with intellectual disabilities. These categories are
consistent with the approach taken by other snow sports.
The classification process introduced at the March 14, 2008
Adaptive Snowboard World Cup was a historical event, in that
this was the inaugural application of a classification system in
adaptive snowboarding. The classification process, not unlike
any of its predecessors, such as alpine skiing, has not been
without controversy in its initial format. This having been said,
did not alter the final results of the World Cup event, but did
create discussion as to the nature of the process and the
fairness and validity of the classification format selected.
A post World Cup strategy that has been implemented has
been the review of the raw results applying a series of
classification methodologies. A committee comprised of Danny
Buntain, Ozzie Sawicki, and Christian Hrab of Canada will
assess the classification review once completed and will carry
forward the results to the World Snowboard Federation (the
International Governing Body for the sport of Adaptive
Snowboarding). The intent is to provide a mathematical
rationale as to the classification process that will provide the
optimal fairness to the athlete in head to head comparison of
times factored through the classification provided. Test events
will be held over the 2008/09 competition year to assess the
real outcomes of the proposed classification process.
The CSF is currently working with adaptive snowboarding
athletes in the visually impaired and standing categories.
The introduction of a “sit snowboarding” program is
dependent on the design of appropriate equipment and is
still being researched and evaluated.
Although only two of the three physical disability categories
are presently active in the sport, in terms of establishing a
standard of competition format it is important that a
classification process be provided that will allow entry for
all physical disability categories once all have evolved to a
competitive level.
The significance of developing a sound classification process will play an integral role in ensuring a
pathway of sport development that will lead to inclusion within the IPC Paralympic Winter Games in
either 2014 or 2018.
10

The development of a snowboarding program for persons with intellectual disabilities will continue to
be reviewed, but will focus on the opportunity for growth within a Special Olympics context.
Of importance to both the physical and intellectual disabilities pursuing an Adaptive Snowboard
competition framework, is that a realistic pathway from entry level through to the international
competitive opportunities presented by either a Paralympic Games or a Special Olympics opportunity
are available to these participants. Once established, the pathways will serve to enlist additional
nations in their involvement in Adaptive Snowboard.
See Appendix C for the CASP Participant Development Model.
11

VI.Workshop Feedback
The following section provides an essential element of feedback that was provided at the conclusion
of the full day Sport Building Workshop session. The audience was required to provide commentary
on three specific areas. These included their perspective of what must occur next leading to the
2008/09 competition year, what must occur leading to 2010 and the Paralympic Games being hosted
in Vancouver/Whistler, and finally, what must occur leading to 2014 to ensure the opportunity for
Adaptive Snowboard to be a considered option for the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Russia.
The responses are as follows:
2008/09:
Strong communications
Communicating direction
Developing a map that can show others how to develop a similar national program
Create a sense of community within the adaptive element of the sport
Education and awareness training for coaches and support staff
Presently grassroots is high performance. Development of the separation in terms of days
spent training/riding for grassroots versus development versus high performance
Increase the number of trained coaches, and the number of participants
Awareness
Establish simple, cost efficient and realistic goals
Pursue integration of Adaptive Snowboarding within able-body National Snowboard
Federations
Fundraising to make the sport accessible
Pursue media opportunities
Increased number of Adaptive Snowboard camps across Canada
Build capacity
Talent identification
Increase awareness outside of Canada
Festival atmosphere (music, food, etc.)
Engage IPC in process from the start
Integration into existing club programs
Creation of program link between grassroots and high performance
Stronger advertisement (e.g. website, media contacts, partner organizations)
Create a list of international events and contact points for these events
Cultivate funding opportunities
Market to athletes we do not know are even out there
Develop rules and regulations, creation of a technical package, including classification, for
CPC/IPC
12

2010:
Activate a plan of next steps
Redefine pathway, adjust from ideal goal
to the reality of the sport in that time
frame
Identify critical mass (athletes and
nations)
Increased number of athletes, and
number of coaches; Increased training
volume and number of events
Develop athlete, coach and officials long
term development plan
International competition calendar
Expanded program in Canada
Structured programs in at least 4 other
countries
WSF support of concept and competition
structure
IPC recognition of development of
Adaptive Snowboarding
H i g h l i g h t A d a p t i v e S n o w b o a r d
opportunities through 2010 Games
process
Establish 12 nations participating world
wide
Greater focus on grassroots development
(increase volume)
Strong development phase
Full integration into club structure
National development program
National World Cup team
Provincial level events integrated with
able-bodied events
World Cup circuit
World Championships
Broader spectrum of disabilities
Adaptive forerunners at 2010 Olympic
Games snowboard events
Have taken all necessary steps to engage
in IPC process to become an included
sport for 2014
World Cups in North America and Europe
National buy in by PSOs
National multi-year sponsor
Integration at the NorAm level
Integration at the local level
Creation of a national team
Host Sport Building Workshop meetings
in Europe
13

2014:
Proven events and World Championships
Test events
Paralympic inclusion 2014
Minimum of 24 high performance athletes
in Canada, 48 internationally
Communication!
Strong International Federation, consider
FIS governance
Clear classification rules and system
within IPC governance
3 classes, sitting, standing and visually
impaired
Clearly defined provincial contact for each
province
Increase pool of qualified coaches
Increase pool of qualified officials
Develop athlete role models to lead
awareness campaigns
Develop athlete recruitment plan and
talent ID process moving ahead
Secure stable funding
E q u i p m e n t r e s e a r c h a n d d e s i g n
programs
Program structure operationally run
through the WSF reaching maturity
Expanded international competition
calendar
Eight (8) World Cups and regional events
International base of 300 athletes and 50
certified coaches
Expanded program in Canada
Structured programs in 10 (6 to 12) other
countries
Intense recruitment initiatives world wide
Te c h n o l o g y d e v e l o p m e n t ( b o t h
prosthetics and snowboard competition
equipment)
Strong communication world wide
The above three time frames certainly show a trend towards continued development of the sport,
development of organizational capacity internationally, involvement of key players, such as the WSF,
FIS and IPC, as well as national Paralympic committees. A solid move towards communication and
well established strategies will ensure that the sport is on the radar of the IPC, as well as with the ablebody
and disabled local club programs.
14

VII.For more Information
Danny Buntain
Adaptive Snowboarding Manager / Gérante du Snowboard Adapté
Canadian Snowboard Federation/Fédération Canadienne de Snowboard
Tel/Tél: 604.714.2236
Email/courriel: danny@csf.ca
15

APPENDIX A: Adaptive Snowboard World Cup Results
Adaptive Snowboard World Cup
Whistler Blackcomb - March 14, 2008
Individual Snow Cross Results
RACE JURY TECHNICAL DATA
Chief of Race: Cate Webster Run Name: Choker Snow Cross
Chief of Course: Seb Fremont Start Elevation: 1660m
Start Referee: Colleen Ikona Finish Elevation: 1520m
Finish Referee: Dusan Kafka Vertical Drop: 140m
Start Time: 12:50 Weather: Variable
Temperature: -4 degrees Snow Conditions: Hard Packed
WOMEN
Rank Last Name First Name Bib # Total Run 1 Total Run 2 Total Run 3 BEST
1 Mentel Bibian 2 61.89 62.00 61.62 61.62
2 Cavallin Emily 1 63.50 64.03 64.44 63.50
MEN
Rank Last Name First Name Bib # Total Run 1 Total Run 2 Total Run 3 BEST
1 Mosher Tyler 4 56.30 56.63 77.23 56.30
2 Lockey Ian 3 60.48 59.44 59.15 59.15
3 Fisher Mike 6 65.63 64.78 DSQ 64.78
4 Rochon Devin 7 66.54 67.25 68.03 66.54
5 Loiseau Jean-Claude 8 66.57 66.80 67.03 66.57
6 Clark John 5 70.10 70.92 71.95 70.10
7 Hansen Corey 9 77.91 77.14 78.14 77.14
YOUTH
Last Name First Name Bib # Total Run 1 Total Run 2 Total Run 3 BEST
Beaumont Zach 10 69.82 71.10 72.63 69.82
16

APPENDIX B: Adaptive Snowboard World Cup Classification
Standing Athletes
CANADIAN ADAPTIVE SNOWBOARD PROGRAM
Classification System
Arm Disability
One arm below elbow 98-100%
One arm above elbow 92-98%
Two arms below elbow 92-98%
Two arms above elbow 85-94%
Leg Amputee Disability
Single below knee 95-96%
Single below knee (Rotation Plasty) 93-94%
Double below knee 85-89%
Single above knee 85-89%
Leg Weakness Disability
Single leg weakness (paralysis) 94-98%
Double leg weakness (paralysis) 87-94%
Women
Bibian Mentel 96%
Emily Cavallin 93%
Men
Tyler Mosher 92%
Ian Lockey 92%
Devin Tuson 99%
John Clark 96%
Mike Fisher 95%
Jean-Claude Loiseau 93%
Zack Beaumont 87%
Corey Hansen 93%
Adaptive Snowboard World Cup
Whistler, BC - March 14, 2008
17

APPENDIX C: Adaptive Participant Development Model (PDM)
Leadership
High
Performance
Comp Dev
CSF
Comp Intro
CSF
Basic Coach
CSF
Level 2
Cads
Level 1
Cads
Coach
or
Instructor
Organisation
Persons with a Disability
Stage of Development
Train to Win
Paralympic Games
Learn to win
WSF World Cup & WCH
Train to Compete
National level events
Train to Train
Regional level events
Learn To Train/Ride
Local clubs & events
Intermediate Snowboarder
FUNdamentals
Participant
Beginner Snowboarder
Active Start
18

APPENDIX D: Coach Development Model (CDM)
19

APPENDIX E: Picture description
1. On the Cover – Bibian Mentel; below-knee amputee; Netherlands
8. Board Tunning – Bibian Mentel; below-knee amputee; Netherlands
9. Flying through the air – Emily Cavallin; below-knee amputee (rotation plasty); Smithers,
BC
10. Out the start gate – Tyler Mosher; incomplete paraplegic; Whistler, BC
11. Riding through the course – Devin Rochon; below-elbow arm amputee; Calgary, AB
12. In the start gate – (from the left) Bibian Mentel; below-knee amputee; Netherlands &
Jean-Claude Loiseau; full arm-amputee; France
13. Podium shots – see Appendix A Results for details
14. Coaching – (from the left) Hirokazu Ozawa; CSCP Adaptive Snowboarding Coach &
Corey Hansen; fused knees; Martock, NS
15. Group Shot of all athletes that competed at the first ever Adaptive Snowboard World Cup
20