Taking the DIS out of disABILITY
Mammoth Mono-Ski Madness 2007 - Diana Proemm Photos
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra (DSES) hosted its first ever mono-ski camp in March at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. "Mammoth Mono-ski Madness" hosted a strong group of adaptive sit-down skiers from March 21-23, ranging in age from 11 to 59. This camp was made possible by a Quality of Life grant from the Christopher Reeve Foundation. (Please see related story here.)
The guys getting ready
A group of five mono-skiers were led by a dozen volunteer instructors from DSES and Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) clinician and demo team member, Bill Bowness. The group covered the slopes for three fun-filled days with thrills, skills, drills and even some spills.
The group on day 1
Mammoth's favorite mono-ski local, Terry Smutney, was one of the participants joining with Grant Dewey of Newport Beach, Bruce Gibbings of Buena Vista, Darryl Coit of Long Beach, Darryl Lair of Hesperia and another local favorite, Jeremy McGhee.
Stopping for Instructions
Chair riding demonstration
"Skiing with Bill (Bowness) is always an inspiration and the camp helped me to hone my skills," Smutney said.
The group
"We take the DIS out of disability," said DSES Trainer Diana Proemm. "If you were on the mountain any of those days and saw a blur in a sit-ski pass by, chances are it was one of the mono campers," she added.
Coming down the mountain
"Under the coaching of Bill these five guys had the opportunity to improve their technical mono-skiing," said Proemm. "The last day the guys were catching air off of Disco and Schoolyard terrain parks."
Jeremy
Jeremy
Adaptive skiing is a way for disabled people, typically para- or quadriplegics, to surpass their limitations and adapt to sliding down the mountain with special sit-down equipment. There are many types of adaptive skiing, but the one common thing is...it's all skiing!
Group takes in the scenery
One very popular type of adaptive skiing equipment is the mono-ski. The mono-ski was developed for individuals who ski in a sitting position. A mono-skier should have good upper body strength, balance and trunk mobility. An individual with double lower extremity amputations, spina bifida, or with a spinal cord injury of T-6 (6th thoracic vertebrae) or below is a good candidate for the mono-ski.
More instructions
Terry shredding
The skier sits in a molded seat (bucket) mounted to a frame above a single ski. A shock absorber links the frame to the ski. Two outriggers are used for balance and turning. The design of the mono-ski allows the skier to use the ski dynamically. The mono-ski is designed so the skier can independently load onto the chairlift. This provides the opportunity for an independent ski experience. A mono-skier can achieve a very high skill level and ski some of the most challenging terrain.
The group on day 2
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra is a nonprofit organization, funded entirely by contributions. Their purpose is to enable people with any disability to enjoy the thrill of the outdoors, with winter and summer programs. The organization is made up of more than 100 local and visiting volunteers. For more information call 760.934.0791.