Snow Business in a Heatwave

Snow Business in a Heatwave

As temperatures soared into the high 20s and even 30-degree heatwave this summer, participants at our second Adaptive Snowsport Taster Day were delightfully cool and enjoying -3 degrees at the Chill Factore in Manchester.

Co-hosted by Physio Matters and Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK), the event on 26 July followed the success of the first Adaptive Snowsport Taster Day in June. It brought together keen participants including case managers and solicitors to experience first-hand the rehabilitation benefits of adaptive snowsport – including the thrill of riding in a sit ski!

“It was a fantastic and informative day,” said Richard Biggs, Senior Associate Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell LLP. “It was very interesting and hugely rewarding to experience first-hand the work that Physio Matters do, together with DSUK. I really enjoyed the sit-ski in particular. Keep up the great work!”
Inspiring and passionate

Rachel Moir, Director at Confident Communication Therapy, experts in speech and language, said: “Being able to share this experience with other professionals was really fun and it was an inspiring opportunity. Everyone involved seemed extremely passionate about the adaptive snow sports and its potential benefits to those who take part.”

She added: “I would highly recommend adaptive snowsports to clients. Being able to experience the snowsport environment really hit home how life-changing this sport could be for our clients, not just physically but from a social participation perspective and improved quality of life.”

The event was organised by Physio Matters in conjunction with DSUK, who provide adaptive equipment and special instruction to enable people with a disability to take part in skiing, including those with physical, sensory and learning difficulties.

The Taster Session gave invited guests the opportunity to visit the indoor snow centre at Chill Factore and experience adaptive snowsport, as well as discover the many benefits these can offer their clients.

Following an introductory talk with case studies given by Colin Green, Clinical Director at Physio Matters and Stephen Smaje, Development Manager at Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK), participants were kitted out in protective snowsport clothing and ski-boots. They then joined DSUK ski instructors on the slopes to observe a demonstration of adaptive snowsport, including upright skiing and sit-skiing, before trying the activities for themselves and experiencing skiing from a client perspective. For some, the highlight was being fastened into a sit-ski and taken down the main slope at Chill Factore by DSUK instructors and the Physio Matters team – including some jumps along the way!

Improving rehabilitation

“Adaptive snowsports can make a great difference to clients’ rehabilitation by improving mobility, core strength and motivation as it gives people a challenge in a new environment, as well as a fun social experience,” explained Colin Green, Clinical Director at Physio Matters. “Our Taster Days with DSUK help to showcase just how many benefits it can offer, and we are so pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response from participants.”

“It was a great day with the Physio Matters team which really helped to showcase adaptive snowsports,” added Stephen Smaje, Development Manager at Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK). “Together, we were able to demonstrate the range of therapeutic benefits of participation in this popular and accessible sport.”
Positive and motivated

Christine Anderson, Case Manager at CA Therapy Ltd. said: “What a fantastic afternoon. I thought I understood the benefits of most activities but being able to experience it first-hand increased my understanding and awareness to a completely different level. I hadn’t expected to get so much personal benefit from attending and left feeling positive and motivated!”


Further Taster Days

To register your interest in an Adaptive Snowsport Taster Day, please contact the Physio Matters team.

Adaptive Snowsport is just one of the many Physio Active activities that Physio Matters offers to clients as part of their rehabilitation. To see more, visit: www.physio-matters.org/physio-active

To find out more about Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) visit: www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk

Physio Matters Oldham Manchester