“I don’t know who enjoyed the experience more – the CNIB Youths getting out on cross country skis for the first time ever or the Junior Nordics who were guiding for the first time,” said Tony Chin, event organizer and coach of the joint Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)-Nordic Racers Ski Club (NRSC) Para Nordic Youth Ski Day.
There were no doubts that the CNIB Youths (ranging in age from 12-19) were having a great time. The constant chatter and laughing were an obvious indication of that. But to say that they were the only youths to learn anything that day would be a huge understatement.
In a pre-session briefing the NRSC’s Junior Nordics Ski Team were taught the IPC’s (International Paralympic Committee) categories for blind/visually impaired athletes: B1 (total vision loss), B2 (visual acuity of up to 2/60) and B3 (visual acuity of up to 6/60). They quickly grasped that the guide for a B1 needs to continually talk as the B1 will follow their voice; a B3 skier is able to “see” the guide in front of them so they don’t need to talk as much but need to be in front leading the way.
When asked what they learned from the CNIB Youths, 12-year old Quinn Wildi commented on how impressed he was with their ability to find their way around in a new environment so quickly.
Of course they were also impressed by 12-year old Matthews Alvernez’ offer to pop out his “fake eyes”.
Many friendships were made and the CNIB Youth’s offered to reciprocate by teaching the Junior Nordics how to play their game, Goal Ball.
“This was a great event. The thing that made this so successful was that it was teenagers skiing with teenagers,” reflected Janet Waines with the Visual Impairment Program for SunnyHill Health Centre for Children.
More ski events are planned for next season by the Nordic Racers Ski Club in collaborations with organizations such as CNIB. This event was made possible by generous donations by Cypress Mountain and DHL Express.
