Please read the following update from Cathy Webster, director of NDAA’s Adaptive Kayaking program:
I was able to obtain a Vermont States Parks permit to facilitate adaptive kayaking. I am available to transport kayaks to Waterbury Reservoir or Green River Reservoir for participants use, if participants:
- can transfer into and out of a kayak independently, or bring someone from their household to assist with transfer
- can provide on water and land supervision,
- can set up and adjust all adaptive components,
- can paddle adaptive kayak safely
- are not sick and have not been exposed to anyone who is sick
Schedule will be be limited with no more than one kayak launched per hour.
If you have access to a life jacket/low profile cushion if needed, please bring it with you.
I will offer socially distant supervision/transfer tips.
Each kayak and all adaptive components will be sprayed down with a bleach solution and allowed to dry after each use.
If any NDAA life jackets/cushions/ whistles/tow ropes are used, I will wash thoroughly with a soap and water solution at the end of each day and allow them to dry and not be used again for 72 hours( per coast guard and MTI life jacket COVID-19 recommendations).
Please be advised that as the State Parks open, and water sports are a great option for being socially distant they will be crowded and with the possibility of many out of state visitors- I can not guarantee safe distances from others.
I do not have State park passes available this year, day use fee is $4.00 each.
There are discount passes available for seniors and Veterans (contact VT State Parks directly) and if you are a participant who needs assistance( which you will) the person assisting you will not be charged. Just let them know at the gate when you enter the park.
State parks are not putting out picnic tables. If needed, please bring your own chair.
Park bathroom facilities are not open, but Port-o-Potties are available at the level of the parking area.
Please reach out to
kayak@disabledathletics.org if you are interested and I will be in touch with dates. I will be starting off with Tuesdays, and as schedule fills, will add Thursday, or if bad weather, will use as a rain date.I have some out of town commitments in mid August, but our permit is good til October so if you are nervous about the park being crowded, there’s always fall!
All participants must wear masks while on land, and may remove them while kayaking.
Last Updated: February 20, 2023 by Eric Leave a Comment
NDAA and GMAS Bring TetraSki to Stowe
NDAA and Green Mountain Adaptive Sports are partnering once again this year to host two days of skiing in the TetraSki at Stowe Mountain Resort. We had our first outing of 2023 on January 30. Read More
Last Updated: January 8, 2022 by Eric Leave a Comment
Recapping 2021 and Planning for 2022
Happy New Year from NDAA!
As we plan for the year ahead, we wanted to take a moment to thank our generous donors and volunteers who make our activities possible.
Adaptive kayaking restarted in June and had its most successful season to date. We did 354 outings this year and welcomed 59 first time kayakers!
Our Martin 16s resumed sailing out of the Moorings Marina in Colchester.
The Vermont Chargers resumed power soccer practice, while mourning the loss of our friend and teammate Kyle Grant.
The Vermont Sled Cats are scheduled to return to practice on January 16, and we’re excited to launch an offroad handycling program in 2022!
NDAA is an all-volunteer program, and we provide adaptive recreation opportunities at low-to-no cost. Your donations help ensure that every Vermonter has the chance to experience the best our outdoors have to offer. You can donate to NDAA on this website.
We are also hoping to find a few deeply committed individuals to join our Board of Directors to continue our growth through the next decade.
Thank you for your continued support.
Posted: January 8, 2022 by Eric Leave a Comment
Remembering Kyle Grant
It is with heavy hearts that the NDAA Vermont Chargers share the passing of our friend and teammate, Kyle Grant.
Kyle passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his home in Addison on New Year’s Eve.
Joining the Chargers at the young age of 14, Kyle affectionately became known as “Phenom“ for his skill on the court at such a young age. He was a wizard controlling the ball and was always willing to play whatever position was needed during a game.
Kyle embodied the spirit of the sport of power soccer that we love so much.
Ever the adventurer, Kyle also began participating in the NDAA’s adaptive kayaking program when it began a few years ago.
Kyle will be dearly missed by everyone that was touched by his indomitable spirit. Rest in peace Phenom. We will never forget you!
Posted: April 17, 2021 by Eric Leave a Comment
2021 Kayak Season Resumes in June
We are excited to re-launch our kayaking season for summer of 2021. The below info is from program director Cathy Webster. For more information or to schedule an appointment, email kayak@disabledathletics.org or call Cathy at 802-355-8833
Hello to everyone!
Wow, it’s been a long winter…. For many of you…a long year without getting out much, if at all. I am happy to say that NDAA Adaptive Kayaking will be back in full operation this summer/fall.
I look forward to seeing you all and getting you back out and on the water. The weather has been beautiful this spring, however the water is still cold. As soon as it warms up, I will be scheduling.
The Waterbury Reservoir schedule doesn’t start until June 22, however if it warms up enough before then, I’m happy to take small groups out to any of our other venues.
With COVID-19 continuing to be present in our region despite vaccinations, we will plan accordingly and have safety guidelines in place to ensure the health and safety of all. (See below)
This season we have secured 2 grants to date and are waiting on the third. The grants will help encourage and support Veterans and people with Spinal Cord Injuries becoming kayakers, and will help fund new pieces of equipment. I have also been working with UVM-DPT students and will be collecting some information from you this summer. The questionnaire is short, and we will be looking at early and late season metrics to assess strength/endurance gains over the summer.
In the meantime, stay safe!!
COVID-19 guidelines:
If we can all follow these few guidelines, we can make this happen and have an active kayaking season.
See you soon,
Cathy
Posted: January 29, 2021 by Eric 2 Comments
Adaptive Equipment Available for Rent
COVID-19 continues to postpone team sports and other group activities, but the NDAA is still hard at work fundraising so that we can resume activities once the pandemic has passed. You can donate to NDAA to support our efforts in keeping athletes with physical disabilities active and outdoors, even while practicing social distancing.
(The Martin-16 usually has a max capacity of two, but we’ll make an exception for our favorite junior Senator.)
Our equipment is also available to rent for a modest fee. Adaptive Nordic sit skis are especially popular this winter. Thanks to our friends at Hazelett Corporation who manufactured seven brackets so that we could repair our sit skis and get them back out into the community.
Posted: October 17, 2020 by Eric Leave a Comment
Sled Cats Postponed Until (at least) January 2021
The Sled Cats hockey season has been postponed until at least January 2021. Sled Hockey is, by its nature, a high exertion, close-contact sport. We do not believe that it is currently possible to play safely in Vermont’s indoor rinks while protecting the health and safety of our players, coaches, and volunteers.
We will monitor the spread of the coronavirus throughout the state, and we will consider resuming play should conditions allow. We hope to be able to play some pond hockey come January.
Stay well, everyone.
Posted: June 28, 2020 by Eric Leave a Comment
NDAA Resumes (Socially-Distant) Adaptive Kayaking Program
Last Updated: October 17, 2020 by Eric Leave a Comment
2020 Sailing Season and Regatta Canceled
Sailors and supporters,
NDAA has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Lake Champlain Invitational Martin 16 Regatta. COVID-19 has made it impossible to run a regatta that is fun, fair, and safe for our sailors, crew, and volunteers. Unfortunately, the decision to cancel the regatta extends to our 2020 sailing program. The nature of Martin 16 makes it impossible for a crewed vessel to practice social distancing.
The NDAA will not run its program this year. We will not be mooring the boats this season, and we cannot facilitate launchings.
Four members of the NDAA board are avid sailors. We are deeply disappointed by these circumstances, but it is the decision we have to make for the well-being of everyone involved.
We look forward to resuming our regular programming in 2021.
Posted: June 13, 2020 by Eric Leave a Comment
Announcing a New Inclusive Exercise Program
Athletes. volunteers, and supporters,
We are thrilled to announce a new Inclusive Exercise program brought to you by the UVM Doctor of Physical Therapy students Class of 2021! The students originally had the idea to visit exercise facilities throughout the state and evaluate their accessibility. When COVID-19 shut down gyms and other recreational facilities, the students pivoted to creating an online resource featuring exercises that people with disabilities can do from home to stay in shape.
Thank you, DPT students, for this much-needed resource! Check out the Inclusive Exercise site!
Last Updated: June 13, 2020 by Eric Leave a Comment
2020 Regatta Survey
Edit June 13, 2020: This survey has closed
The NDAA is still determining whether it is possible to hold our annual Lake Champlain Martin 16 regatta this year. Part of our determination process involves gauging the interest of potential sailors and volunteers to participate. Please fill out our survey if you are (or were) considering attending our annual regatta. Your input is critical, and very much appreciated.
You may take the survey on SurveyMonkey.
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