Paralympic Sport Mammoth Lakes

Maggie Palchak

Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra became a Paralympic Sport Club in 2008. Now, in addition to Alpine and Cross Country skiing we offer expanded opportunities in cycling and biathlon as part of the growing Paralympic Sport movement!

Our cycling program has grown this summer with the recent acquisition of two new bikes: a recumbent trike with high end components and a hand powered mountain bike. These new additions nicely round out our fleet of adaptive bicycles allowing us to accommodate most anyone who walks or rolls through our doors. In addition to private lessons, we now offer weekly group rides in Bishop and will continue doing so as long as the weather permits!

Biathlon incorporates the strength, endurance and athleticism of cross country skiing with the precision, focus and stillness required for target shooting. Biathlon has been growing in popularity through Europe over the last decade but has only recently begun to catch on in the US. Through the efforts of Dr. Mike Karch and the local Nordic skiing community, the 2010 winter biathlon in Mammoth Lakes was the largest biathlon event in North America. DSES had our first two biathlete’s participating (Tyler and Sean Stern) and they are hooked on the sport! We plan to bring many more athletes to the sport of biathlon in the 2010-11 season.

We are fortunate to have been selected as a recipient of the Olympic Opportunity Fund Grant to support our growing biathlon program. With our existing 3 nordic sit-skis, the purchase of two new laser rifle/target systems and two new Concept2 Skierg trainers, we are creating the backbone of a budding year round biathlon training program. We are coordinating with Paralympic athletes and coaches to train our staff and volunteers so we can provide the best opportunities for all athletes.