Gaylord Sports Association

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Gaylord Hospital, Inc., DBA Gaylord Sports Association

The Gaylord Sports Association is dedicated to helping people with a physical disability experience the benefits of adaptive sports and recreation. We offer the most diverse adaptive sports program in the state of Connecticut with 15 different sports. Programs range from introductory clinics to competitive sports teams.

Our team of dedicated staff, coaches and volunteers provide instruction, adaptive equipment and activity modification with an individualized approach to maximize the independence of each participant. We strive to provide a safe, fun and supportive environment for all participants and their families. Instruction is based on each participant’s level of ability and skill. We welcome everyone from casual beginners to competitive athletes.

Our goal is to assist participants in gaining the confidence, independence and skills to meet their adaptive sports goals. We believe adaptive sports can inspire individuals to overcome obstacles and lead a happier and healthier life.

We serve individuals ages 16 and up with a permanent physical disability or visual impairment. Our participants include people who have experienced a spinal cord injury, amputation, stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, visual impairment, neurological condition and other physical disabilities. Veterans who meet our criteria are encouraged to participate.

Activities

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Alpine/Downhill Skiing

Alpine skiing, or downhill skiing, is the pastime of sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis. There are tons of disabled skiers flying down the slopes across the country. Experienced skiers make it look easy as they swoosh and cut their way through powdery (and sometimes not so powdery) snow. While it takes some practice to refine…

Archery is a versatile activity. It is something that can be done for fun, for hunting, or for competition. “Target shooting wasn’t a thing for me,” said US Para Archery Head Coach Jonathan Clemins. “But I realized I enjoyed shooting my bow as much as I enjoyed hunting.” In addition, archery can be a year-round…

Introduced in 2000 at a seminar during the World Handi Ski Championship in Crans Montana, Switzerland, wheelchair curling is a Paralympic sport now practiced by athletes in 25 countries. Wheelchair curling is a unique sport that can be played by a wide range of ability levels and ages. Unlike many traditional adapted sports that require…

Rain, sleet, snow, or hail … it seems that no matter the weather, you can always see a cyclist biking for pleasure, on an errand, or keeping fit. The love of bike riding is rapidly growing across nearly every demographic. Cycling has always been a great way to enjoy the outdoors, socialize with fellow bikers,…

Flyfishing made a real big difference in my recovery and helped flip that switch from thinking about negative things to positive things. There is a lot of peace and a lot of connecting with nature involved with fishing. – David Folkerts, Chief Operations Officer of Project Healing Waters Fishing 101 Photo Credits: Matt Romero,…

“That’s what makes golf so great. It’s a handicap system. If I’m playing against a guy who’s got all his limbs and he’s got a 14 handicap, I’ve got to give him seven strokes. Golf is such an equal game because of the handicap system. That’s what makes it fun for people everywhere to play.”…

When you go skiing, you need to find a mountain and cold weather. You don’t need anything special to start kayaking. Kayaking is just down the road. -Joe Mornini, Executive Director of Team River Runner Getting Started Looking to spend a quiet afternoon enjoying the outdoors and scenery? Perhaps you’re more of a thrill…

One of the things I like about rock climbing is that it always gives you little triumphs. You can reach new levels, you are never out of challenges, and you can do it pretty much anywhere. – Jarem Frye, Climbing Enthusiast and K12 Prosthetics founder Becoming Familiar with Adaptive Climbing For a full body…

All About Sled Hockey Sled Hockey A Sport for All Abilities Sled hockey had its beginning in the early 1960s when some enterprising athletes at a physical rehabilitation center in Sweden wanted to play the game. The men modified a metal frame sled with two regular-sized ice hockey skate blades that allowed the puck to pass…

The people you meet through tennis are friendly, happy, optimistic and outgoing, They just want to have a good time and want others to have a good time. – Steve Kappes, Director of the San Diego Wounded Warrior Tennis Program and Director of Military Outreach for the San Diego District Tennis Association All About…

Getting Started Get Out and TriThank you to Dare2tri for contributing information and photos for this article. Paratriathlon made its Paralympic competition debut in Rio 2016. The sport, which combines swimming, running and biking into one race, has been rapidly growing in the U.S. and abroad among athletes at all age ranges and ability levels. From…

Water Skiing 101 Ride the Wake! There is nothing like spending a warm summer day by the water. But water-skiers will tell you that even better is a day spent water skiing along on the surface of the water with the wind in their hair. Don’t think because you have a disability that you can’t…

Trying to describe the sport of wheelchair rugby may be difficult. You just have to see it. Better yet, you just have to play it. “There really isn’t an able-bodied counterpart,” according to Katie Joly, program manager at the Gaylord Hospital Sports Association, a Move United member organization based in Connecticut. “It is a mixture…

It is difficult to find balance without the ability to look inward, whether it is physical balance or balance in our daily lives. Starting the day healthfully can be as simple as breathing and stretching. An important component of a total fitness program is stretching. Add focused deep breathing to a stretch and you’ve entered…