British Columbia Blind Sports and Recreation Association

News and Content

The Low Impact Fitness Program for “Seniors but not limited to” is growing!

May 15, 2013 - This low impact fitness class, designed to focus on developing good balance and strength runs in 10 week sessions. We are currently running programs in three locations around the province including: Vancouver, 100 Mile House and now in Nanaimo.

We are looking at developing classes in Victoria and Kelowna.

If you know of a group of individuals who would be interested in starting a program in your community please contact Susan at the provincial office at 604-325-8638.

Class Schedules:
Vancouver: Monday nights: 5pm to 6pm from June 13 to July 29, 2013.
Please note: There are no classes on May 20th or July 1st.

Nanaimo: – Classes will resume in September 2013

100 Mile House – The dates for the next sessions:
May 22,29.
June 5, 12, 19, 26. Summer Break for July and August.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25.

The only cost is your membership to BC Blind Sports. If you would like more information or wish to register please contact our provincial office at 604-325-8638 or email us at info@bcblindsports.bc.ca.

A Reminder to all Lawn Bowlers

Subject: Nanaimo Regional Play downs - May 21st
Richmond Lawn Bowling Club - June 11th

The Nanaimo group is once again hosting a one day event. This is a great opportunity to connect and have some fun competition and get ready for the season. For those of you here on the mainland you would need to be on one of the following ferries:

• Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo: 8:30 AM
• Tsawassen to Duke Point: 7:45 AM

Let us know if you need a director and we will do our best to find one. If you are a director and would like to participate please contact the office to see if someone is looking for a director.

The Richmond club is also hosting a one day event. We would love to see you all out and enjoy an exciting day of fun competition.

Anyone needing transportation to either of these events please contact the office as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate your request for transpiration. All participants must be members in good standing memberships fees are as follows, Sighted volunteers $5 and Bowlers who are blind/visually impaired $15. Happy Bowling to all!!!!!

Run for Light

May 14, 2013 - At a recent Board of Directors meeting it was decided that due to the increasing cost, staff and volunteer time commitment and the fluctuation in revenue from the run due to weather dependence and the number of other recreational opportunities available in Vancouver, the association has determined that we need to ensure we put our resources into physical activity programs for British Columbians who are blind or visually impaired. We have therefore determined that we will not hold a Run for Light in 2013. BC Blind Sports will explore other options for events in the future.

BC Blind Sports thanks our supporters, volunteers, staff, donors, participants and the community who have contributed to the Run over the past 33 years.

If you would like more information on BC Blind Sports please contact our office at info@bcblindsports.bc.ca

2013 Victoria Dragon Boat Team "Outta Sight'

This year BC Blind Sports is putting together a new Dragon Boat Team "Outta Sight', in Victoria.
We currently have two co-managers, Caroline and Terry, and a roster of about 14 paddlers on the team including 6 visually impaired paddlers.

NEW DATE: There will be a Team Meeting/Volunteer Training on Saturday, June 8th - 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
For more details, click here.
If you or someone you know is interested in being on the team please let me know at susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca.

2013 Goalball Nationals

Congratulations to the BC Men's team that finished first at the CBSA Nationals in Halifax, and to the Women's team for their bronze medal finish. Doug Ripley was named MVP.

Men's Team: John Tee, Doug Ripley, Brendan Gaulin, Ahmad Zeivdavi
Women's Team: Angel Lu-lebel, Brenda Luke, Karen Liu, Ashlie Andrews.
Coaches: Robert Lebel and Cherie Lu
Support staff: Susan Flanagan

100 Mile House finishes 4th in Western Blind Curling Championships

The 100 Mile House Blind Curling team played well during this grueling competition against curlers from BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. More...

Courage Canada National Blind Hockey Tournament Synopsis

Your Vancouver Eclipse did very well on their respective teams with 2 players and a coach winning Gold, 2 players and a coach winning Silver and another 2 players and a coach winning the Bronze. In addition, 2 of our players won the MVP and Most Sportsman like awards. More...

BCBSRA Hockey Team Members Playing in the Gold Medal Game Feb 17 at 2:30EST

Members of the BC hockey team will be playing in the gold medal game on Sunday Feb 17th. Courage Canada will be live streaming the game here. This is a REVISION to original information provided by Courage Canada.

Curling in Vancouver

Vancouver Blind and Visually Impaired Curling Club

• No experience necessary or even an understanding of the game.
• A very social, positive environment with lots of laughs
• Volunteers assist the players in all aspects of the game.
• We invite all ages and levels of experience to participate.
• We curl at the Vancouver Curling Club at the Hillcrest Center, 4575 Clancy Loranger Way, Vancouver, from noon until 2pm on Wednesdays from late September til the middle of March.
• Each week an optional lunch at cost is provided at the Curling Club prior to curling.

For information please contact: BC Blind Sports or Carol Kent at 604 266 9656 or carolkent@telus.net

Looking forward to having you join us!

2012 Singles Championships for blind and visually impaired lawn bowlers

BC Blind Sports staged the 2012 Singles Championships for blind and visually impaired lawn bowlers in Nanaimo this week.There were 8 competitors from Langley, Ladner, Coquitlam, Burnaby, Victoria and Nanaimo competing in a round robin of 7 games.

Arlene Stapleton of Victoria claimed the Gold Medal with a record of 6 wins and 1 loss. Her director was Rosemary Waldie.
Taking the Silver Medal was Ed McMillan of Langley with 5 wins and 2 losses. Ed’s director was Donn Sherry.
Randy Fred of Nanaimo earned the Bronze Medal with 4 wins, 2 ties and 1 loss. Randy is totally blind and competed against bowlers with better sight. Tom Williams is Randy’s director.
Dave Ruckman of Nanaimo assisted by Roelie Roos was awarded the Hodges Achievement Award for his 4th place finish.

The competitors were very appreciative of the efforts made by the members of Nanaimo Lawn Bowling Club for providing a fine bowling surface, delicious lunches and snacks and competent markers who act as officials for each match.

Jane Blaine, executive director of BC Blind Sports and staff member Susan Flanagan were on hand to make the presentations to the winners.

Photo from Left to Right:
Roelie Roos, Dave Ruckman, Rosemary Waldie, Arlene Stapleton, – Gold Ed McMillan – Silver Randy Fred – Bronze Tom Williams, Donn Sherry

Victoria Dragon Boat Opportunity

Are you interested in dragon boating? We are in the process of organizing a blind/visually impaired dragon boat team based in the Victoria area for the 2013 season. There is room for sighted volunteers and blind/visually impaired paddlers. All paddlers must be members of BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association.

Dragon boating is a wonderful way for blind/visually impaired paddlers to get to experience the pleasure of being out on the water. As well, it's a great way to get exercise, meet new friends, and, for those with a competitive streak, try and win!

Participating in the team will involve attending practices (approximately 12-14), the Gorge dragon boat festival, and the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival (held in August). Practices will likely begin in May or early June.

There is no experience necessary, as all training will be provided. All ability levels are welcome.

If you are interested in joining the Victoria blind/visually impaired dragon boat team for the 2013 season, or for additional information, please contact us by October 17, 2012 by email or phone. Please indicate if you would be a sighted paddler or a blind/visually impaired paddler.

Susan M. Flanagan
Member Services Coordinator
Tel: 604-325-8638
Email: susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca

Official Opening of Accessible Trail in Qualicum Bay

June 23, 2012 at Lioness Blvd Trailhead, 10:00 a.m.
Join the Regional District of Nanaimo as they open 2.5 km of accessible woodland trail, part of the Lighthouse Country Regional Trail. This is a trail for everyone, including those who haven’t done much walking and may be hesitant to try out a five km walk in the woods. Easily done in less than an hour, this accessible trail helps folks of all ages and abilities to get out and get active. Come out and try it, and be sure to bring along your family and friends.
For more information, visit www.rdn.bc.ca.

Michael Edgson Selected to be Inducted into BC Sports Hall of Fame

Michael Edgson achieved a dream when he won multiple gold medals and established new World Records in competitions on the World stage at a number of International Swim Competitions. These accomplishments led to him being named BC Disabled Athlete of the Year on three occasions and to him being a finalist for the Canadian Athlete of the Year award in 1992.
The 2012 Inductees will be formally inducted to the BC Sports Hall of Fame at the 44th Annual Banquet of Champions at the Vancouver Convention Centre on September 20, 2012.
Full bio...

Jason Delesalle Inducted into Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame

A Burnaby Central Secondary grad Jason won the gold medal in the penthalon at the 1996 Paralympic Games, setting a Games record 3.050 points. Also won bronze medal in discus at same Games. Silver medalist in javelin at 1992 Barcelona Paralympics. At the 1990 International Blind Sports World Youth Games he won silver medals in the 100 and 200 metres and long jump. Between 1992 and 2003 won multipule national championships. Jason is both the BC and Canadian record holder in the pentathlon for visually impaired men and a past recipient of BC Athletics Physically Disabled Athlete of the Year. Full bio...

Encouraging Physical Activity for Preschoolers
with Visual Impairment

A DVD & Written Guide for Parents
BC Blind Sports has created a DVD and written guide that shows parents how to encourage physical activity in preschool children who are visually impaired. Please contact us if you would like a copy of the DVD and/or written guide, or if you have any questions regarding physical activity for people with visual impairment. We are here to help. DVD only $5.
DVD & Resource Guide $30 Download the Brochure - Word version | .pdf version

BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association acknowledges the financial assistance of
the Province of British Columbia

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