Steve behind the oars, Ginger on the bow (hating the trip).

We had a really good overnight training trip on upper Colorado River (Pumphouse run). We crowded the river with five boats and inflatable kayaks and everyone had a chance to experience all of our rafts and kayaks, practice throw bags, and sit through Martin’s torturous Q&A session about disabilities and CDA’s river running protocols. We had a few new volunteers on this trip and a few new starts were born! Ben, we are in the process if designing a holster for you that can hold seven throw bags!

Cynthia and Joel during Martin’s fascinating session about CDA’s river running protocols and procedures.

Tony and Miranda pull levi back into the paddle boat. John, thanks for capturing this on camera. Levi, you take the lead this season on number of swims.

Mike behind the oars, Martin behind as a guide instructor.

» TRIP PHOTOS (in PDF format)

Watch for another training trip. We are hoping to be able to organize one more thise summer. See the training outline below to learn what you can expect from our training trips.

TRAINING OUTLINE

» DOWNLOAD A COMPLETE TRAINING OUTLINE (in PDF format)

Join us for a fun, two-day adventure is designed to give you the tools for assisting in running single- or multi-day river trips. This is also a required training for anyone who would like to participate as a crew member on our whitewater river trips.

Additionally, if you would like to become a licensed guide this training would be a good way to progress into guide training. CDA’s river program requires that all aspiring river guides participate in the River Crew training.

Led by Marc Huster, Levi Oviatt, Jim Richardson and Martin Wiesiolek, this two-day adventure will be packed with action and practical application of newly acquired knowledge.

TRAINING OUTLINE

» DOWNLOAD A COMPLETE TRAINING OUTLINE (in PDF format)

WHEN

Saturday, May 30, 2009 – Sunday, May 31, 2009

TRAINING LOCATION

Depending on the number of sign-ups and the group assessment, we will train on one of the following stretches of the Colorado River:

Pumphouse Run
Pumphouse to State Bridge on Colorado River
Rapid Classification: II+ Length: 15-25 miles

Ruby-Horsethief Run
Loma, CO to Westwater, UT on Colorado River
Rapid Classification: I & II Length: 25 miles

PASS IT ON!

If you know anyone who would like to volunteer with CDA this summer, pass this e-mail on to that person. We would also welcome river guides who work for commercial outfitters and who would like to volunteer their time and skills on CDA’s river trips.

HOW TO SIGN-UP

Call, e-mail or sign-up online:

Martin Wiesiolek

» Phone: 970-254-0404
» E-mail
» Online

sign-up online »

On my drive back from Special Olympics Winter Games at Copper Mountain Resort I felt conflicting emotions. I was sad that the racing season for Team Powderhorn is over and at the same time I felt a sense of relief. Yep, I am glad that I can do other things on the weekends now but I will truly miss the weekend training and the camaraderie of the Team. Monday night I went to bed around 9 p.m. and woke up twelve hours later. I think I was in coma, not asleep. I hope that the next winter season gets here fast but in a meantime I am going to enjoy a break.

It takes courage to get in the start gate, look down a steep race course, fight butterflies in your stomach, and think “I am going to win this race.” It takes even more courage to collect yourself mentally after less-than-perfect run and think “I am going to do this again and next time I am going to do better.”

As coaches we often don’t experience the stress, the joys of winning, and the agonies of defeat associated with racing because we don’t compete. From the coaches’ perspective we tell ourselves that every athlete is a winner but the competitors are not as gentle with assessing their own achievements. As a competitor you either feel good about your run or you don’t. It takes a lot of maturity and mental tools to deal with intense emotions that are part of ski and snowboard racing. One minute you are on top of the world and the next one you are crushed asking yourself why you even bothered to show up for the race.

Colorado Discover Ability’s Team Powderhorn athletes have experienced all these emotions in their final ski and snowboard race competition for the 2008-2009 winter season, which took place at Copper Mountain Resort on March 29-30, 2009. All of the athletes performed better than they themselves expected.

Congratulations to all CDA’s athletes for sticking through a regimented training season that culminated in such a successful showing at the Special Olympics Winter Games at Copper Mountain. You should be proud of yourself for your hard work, discipline and the courage it took to train and race for Team Powderhorn. Your coaches have the highest respect for you. While we try very hard to be your role models throughout the training season, we the coaches see you as our own role models. Once again, congratulations!

2008-2009 Team Powderhorn at Copper Mountain Resort, March 28-29, 2009.

I would like to use this space to express our gratitude and a very special thanks to people and organizations that made it possible for Team Powderhorn to experience winning.

Coaches

While you pushed the athletes to the new levels, you were also pushed very hard to attain new coaching and technical skills. Some of the comments we overheard from other teams and race venue staff included “you guys are the pros,” “they will win most medals,” “you know what you are doing,” “this is the best-looking team on the mountain.” Please accept a heartfelt thank you for your professionalism, talent, enthusiasm, and much of your time for creating opportunities for Team Powderhorn athletes.

Powderhorn Resort

Without the support of Powderhorn Resort we would have to hike up Grand Mesa and try to race the Aspen meadows. And even then it would be a cost-prohibitive training program. Your support of Colorado Discover Ability and Team Powderhorn is priceless. Your team is proud to represent Powderhorn Resort at race venues throughout Colorado. Thank you for investing in us, believing in us, and for your continued support.

Special Olympics Colorado

Thank you for providing fantastic competition venues and a level playing field for athletes with intellectual disabilities. We can only imagine how much work and effort it takes to put on such grand events. Thank you!

Powderhorn Snowsports School

We sincerely appreciate your cooperation and your support of CDA’s instructor development programs through clinics and professional exchange. We are thankful for having access to the resources provided by Powderhorn Snowsports School.

Copper Mountain Resort

Having the opportunity to conduct training and instructor clinics at Copper Mountain gives us extra training days and a variety of training environments that is so critical in preparation of snowsports instructors for the challenges of coaching. Being able to train at a resort away from home also allows us to totally focus on skill development without distractions of the home area. Thank you for your support, hospitality, and for wonderful memories.

Powderhorn Race Club (PRC) and Buddy Werner Racing Program

Training on the same race courses with PRC’s racers not only saves us time and resources but also provides our athletes with expanded visual cues for ski racing. Thanks for making us part of your race family.

Gene Taylor’s Sporting Goods

Without the product and service support from Gene Taylor’s, many of our athletes would lack the necessary gear to get on the snow. Additionally, CDA’s instructors enjoy superior tuning service and expert advice on their own gear. Thank you for your expertise and your generosity. We would be snowshoeing without you (if you gave us snowshoes…)!

Spyder Active Sports

Team uniforms from the best active sports apparel company in the world allow our athletes and snowsports instructors to teach, ski and play all day long, anywhere, and in any weather conditions. The uniforms also provide Team members with a unifying theme, which is so important for their pride and dignity. Thank you for patronage!

Many Individuals, Organizations and Businesses

There are too many people, organizations and business to list in this newsletter, which support Team Powderhorn through material assistance and moral encouragement. Your support and cheers give us the energy that fuels our training and competition days. We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you!

Rib City Grill

During special events we can always count on Rib City Grill to feed the crowds with delicious BBQ. Thanks for ruining our healthy diet (and we love every bite of your food)!

Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI)

Our volunteer snowsports instructors spend a lot of their own money to provide skiing, snowboarding and racing opportunities to people with disabilities. Your support of the professional development program at Colorado Discover Ability ensures that all instructors have the resources to provide the highest-level snowsports instruction. Those free clinic vouchers are a big incentive for volunteer instructor to stay on the path of continued education. We thank the entire PSIA-AASI community for supporting adaptive snowsports programs.

CDA’s Team Powderhorn Athletes and Training Partners

Thank you for choosing Colorado Discover Ability as your training venue for ski and snowboard racing. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to learn with you and to share with you our passion for skiing, snowboarding and racing. Thanks for making us part of your winning experiences. We hope that you will race for Team Powderhorn again next season!

see all photos from the event »

Finally! After hearing about 1,000 times that our current jacket is too hot and too bulky for western Colorado, I finally listened and prepared a pro uniform order with Spyder for a custom soft shell jacket.

Features:

• Brushed Micro Fiber Inner Collar
• Internal Drawcord at Hem
• Key Holder Clasp in Pocket
• #L Stretch Shell with XTL 10,000 Membrane and Spylon Water repellent Finish
• Updated logo on the back with lettering:
  ADAPTIVE SNOWSPORTS CENTER
  SKI – RIDE – RACE

EMBROIDERY

FABRIC SAMPLE

Sizing: unisex (see the sizing chart)

Spyder jackets define what it means to be high performance. Soft shell jackets are lightweight while combining protection and breathability. This seems like a perfect blend of features for most on snow days at Powderhorn Resort.

The style of this Spyder soft shell jacket is available only through pro uniform orders. A similar Spyder soft shell retails for about $250. Our price, to include custom embroidery on front and back is $140.

Spyder jackets define what it means to be high performance. Soft shell jackets are lightweight while combining protection and breathability. This seems like a perfect blend of features for most on snow days at Powderhorn Resort.

Why red?

1. Because our guests must be able to easily find us on the hill.
2. Because people with visual impairments might have a hard time finding you in white, black or grey jacket…
3. Because the classic red color of a ski school easily identifies us as snowsports pros.
4. Because this jacket is available only in red, gray or black (see b).
5. Because our other jackets are primarily red and we want image continuity.
6. Because we don’t want to “date” those instructors who wear our older jackets.

HOW TO ORDER

» Sizing Chart » Uniform Policy Uniforms will be issued in exchange for a signed Uniform Policy. No signed Uniform Policy = No Uniform All sales are final. No refunds.	Order online using Visa or MasterCard: ORDER ONLINE » or send a check or money order payable to “Colorado Discover Ability” to: Martin Wiesiolek 2385 Ridge Circle Dr. Grand Junction, CO 81507 or pay cash at the downtown or Powderhorn office.
ORDER DEADLINE APRIL 6, 2009

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CDA’s Regular Snowsports Uniforms

CDA’s regular, heavier snowsports uniforms with an updated embroidery are also available.

• “Ridge” Jacket (2009-2010 model): $230 (separate men’s and women’s sizing)
• “Bonmanche” Pant (2009-2010 model): $175 (separate men’s and women’s sizing, pant lengths available in regular, short and long)

The jacket normally retails for $430 and the pants retail for $350.

How to order?
Please contact Martin.

Kima Hall, CDA’s Program Director, and Richard Freeman, CDA’s grant writer were laid off as of March 23, 2009 because of the shortage of money needed to cover CDA’s payroll beyond April 2009. Jim Prinster, CDA’s Executive Director has resigned as of March 31 because he also knew that we cannot sustain his salary.

While we are very sad that we had to let them go, it was the only fair and sound decision that we could make. Needless to say, it was a laborious and painful resolution.

I would like to thank them on this forum for their continued enthusiasm, professionalism and hard work as staff members of Colorado Discover Ability.

Martin’s Thoughts

We are one of the most unique adaptive organizations in the region. While operating without any full-time staff is difficult, thanks for the cadre of dedicated volunteers we manage to sustain our programs on a minimal budget and without any staff. Can you name one company that can be as successful as we are without the staff of 10, 15, 20 or more employees? Over the years, starting with Tyler, we as a group have progressed to be experts in the field that is complex and poorly funded. We operate a successful, professional snowsports school and a diverse summer program. We developed programs that function so flawlessly and independently that are now completely self-sufficient. We, the volunteers, provide continuity on all levels of the organization, from management to office support. We have formed life-long friendships with other volunteers and with some of our guests. We’ve all done well.

For this summer we all are working on some of the most exciting programs in years, primarily on an expansion of the river program into white-water adventures and we will potentially reach more people with disabilities than we have in previous years. For the next winter season, we will have more well-trained, expert instructors than ever before and we’ll have additional winter sports programs. We are also working closely with other adaptive programs and commercial entities because we know that the strength comes from numbers.

While I am personally saddened by the layoffs, I am looking forward to working with you on programs and advocacy issues for people who count on us to provide them with equal access to the great outdoors of Colorado and Utah.

I am pretty sure that Despite the current economic turmoil, CDA will survive. For more than 25 years Colorado Discover Ability has operated on a minimal budget. While operating without enough money to provide all services is not the most favored, CDA has a history of functioning with efficiency and thriftiness.

What are your thoughts?

After weeks of long practice sessions, worrying, and studying, seven instructors have passed the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) Instructor Training Course Level 1 exam at Powderhorn Resort. I am sure that the hard-earned PSIA Alpine Level 1 pin is very much appreciated by our new PSIA-certified instructors and it is even more valued by everyone at Colorado Discover Ability (CDA) and Powderhorn Resort.

Four instructors from Powderhorn Snowsports School and three instructors from Colorado Discover Ability spent three full days with a PSIA Examiner Stephanie Reynolds, who validated their teaching, skiing and technical skills. What we overheard from the instructors who went for the exam included comments such as “it was the best clinic I’ve ever had,” “I learned so much,” and “everyone should do it.”
Thank you Stephanie for providing all instructors with such a great experience!

The following instructors attained PSIA Alpine Level 1 Certification on March 22, 2009:

• John Bethune from CDA’s Adaptive Snowsports Center
• Emilio Favre from Powderhorn Snowsports School
• Larry Luebke from CDA’s Adaptive Snowsports Center
• Tom McLamb from CDA’s Adaptive Snowsports Center
• Jake Powers from Powderhorn Snowsports School
• Lynette Summy from Powderhorn Snowsports School
• Sylvia Wilhelm from Powderhorn Snowsports School

Thanks for putting the time and effort to expand on your passion for skiing and for becoming better teachers!

Special thanks goes to Ryan Keyes, CDA’s Trainer and Paul Simonetti, Powderhorn’s Trainer, for helping all candidates prepare for the exam.

We also wanted to thank the Rocky Mountain PSIA for providing CDA instructors with vouchers that reduced cost of the exam.

After the exam. From the left: Larry Luebke, Sylvia Wilhelm, Tom McLamb, Lynette Summy,
Stephanie Reynolds, John Bethune, Jake Powers, Emilio Favre.

More photos from the PSIA Exam »