Sports Clinics

 

Rockclimbing

Anyone wanting an activity that is high in excitement and physical intensity needs to consider rock climbing.  RHI sports program provides it’s members with an indoor rock climbing experience at beginning levels with the use of adaptive equipment.  A Swami-belt with adapted leg hoops is ideal for individuals with limited lower limb use which has custom ascenders and chest harnesses that attach for a stable hold onto the rope. Chest harnesses are a must for adaptive rope climbing.  There is equipment which can assist with ascending techniques such as adaptive pull-up bars with a custom runner attached. 

 

Rock climbing is a great activity to increase physical fitness, self-esteem and confidence. For additional information about rock climbing please visit: 
No Limits

 

Fishing

Fishing is, for the most part, an enjoyable and relaxing past time that many participate in each year.  Luckily, RHI is privileged to have a fishing access site right outside the doors of the hospital.  Fishing is a great activity because it can be adapted several different ways depending on the disability.  

 

When facilitating a fishing clinic, the RHI sports program utilizes a variety of adaptive equipment to enhance the participant’s ability for a GREAT cast ranging from pole holders that can be attached to the wheelchair to those that strap on to the waist. All of which are excellent ways RHI ensures that participants are getting the most out of the activity and enjoying themselves as well.

 

Hunting

Hunting is a great way to explore the outdoors, increase one’s physical fitness and enjoy a great new learning experience all at the same time. Thanks to today’s technology, hunting is made possible even with limited use of your body and from a wheelchair. 

 

RHI sports program provides hunting opportunities for individuals who are avid hunters and/or who want to get involved and learn a new recreational hobby.  Special harnesses that fit around your chest, tri-pod and rifle shooting stands that attach to the wheelchair all assist with accurate shooting by keeping the gun in place.  Individuals with more limited fine motor control can fire the gun with a simple pull of a handle or crank made possible by a trigger activator that attaches to your gun in just seconds.  For additional information please check out:
National Wild Turkey Federation

 

Sailing

RHI offers individuals who want to experience the thrill of water sports a chance to participate in the sport of adaptive sailing. This program encourages the development of social networks, greater self-confidence, and overall personal well-being. Sailing can be adapted to specific disabilities and to the type of boat being used.  The most popular boats used for adaptive sailing are those with large seating areas.  The larger area gives individuals more room to move while steering.  However, participants must be cautious that balance and strength are important when sailing in order to keep the boat balanced during strong winds. Some boats even have built-in seats equipped with seatbelts for increased stability for those individuals with limited core strength. For additional information please check out these websites:

U.S. Wheelchair Sports
U.S. Paralympics Team

 

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving may seem like a complex sport for people with disabilities, but it does not require many adaptations in equipment.  The scuba diving clinics RHI  facilitates provides opportunities for participants to feel a sense of freedom, independence and general well-being because of the buoyancy of the “barrier-free” water environment. However, buoyancy may also cause problems for scuba diving as a result of not using leg muscles.  Weight belts can be used to compensate for the limited use of leg muscles and assist in maintaining body position. For more information please check out these websites:

International Association for Handicapped Divers
Handicapped Scuba Association International

 

Snow Skiing

Snow skiing can be an exciting and difficult adapted sport for people of all ages and disabilities. Once a year RHI provides the opportunity for individuals to experience the challenging sport of snow skiing. People with visual impairments can use many different types of skis ranging from 2-track, 3-track and 4-track skis which increase the level of participation. Sit-skis, which are also used in waterskiing, are used by individuals with spinal cord injuries, while individuals with spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, brain injury and/or limp amputation use mono-skis and bi-skis.  There are many styles of poles that can be used and are determined by the ski being utilized, such as short picks, standard, twelve-inch, and kayak poles. For additional information please take a look at the following websites:
The International Blind Sport Federation's (IBSA)
The U.S. Disabled Ski Team
The U.S. Paralympic Team

 

Water Skiing

Adaptive water skiing allows individuals with disabilities to experience the excitement and thrill of water sports. The RHI sports program provides adaptive water skiing events that helps increase a person’s overall physical fitness and self-confidence, and it decreases feelings of isolation and helplessness.  The most common adaptation used for water skiing is the sit-ski.  It allows individuals with limited balance, poor strength and coordination to sit on a wide ski while holding onto a rope that is attached to the boat.  For additional information please check out these websites:
Adaptive Aquatics
U.S. Paralympics

 

 

White Water Rafting

Anyone looking for an outdoor adventure that is full of rushing rapids, challenging obstacles and gut-wrenching excitement needs to consider participating in RHI’s white water rafting event.  This is usually a two day event where participants will get to travel to the site, camp and enjoy a weekend of rafting, great socialization, good food and experience the trip of a lifetime. Individuals who participate are not only learning the skill of rafting they are also enhancing self-efficacy, muscle strength and coordination, and self-fulfillment along with improving equilibrium and endurance.  If you would like additional information about white water rafting please visit:
Adaptive Adventures
No Barriers

 

 

Wheelchair Tennis

Wheelchair tennis is played on a standard tennis court and has all the same rules of able-bodied tennis with the exception that the wheelchair tennis athletes are allowed two bounces instead of one.  Also, since the wheelchair is considered part of the athlete’s body, rules applying to the body are applied to the chair as well.
 
For additional information about wheelchair tennis, please check out these websites:
International Tennis Federation                                                   
U.S. Paralympics Team
United States Tennis Association
International Paralympic Committee