For many of these developmentallyand physically-disabled teenaged athletes , participating in a friendly competition involving bicycles , hiking and water craft is something they ’ ve only dreamed about . With the assistance of nonprofit partners like The Center for Discovery in New York and Best Buddies Capital Region in suburban Washington , energetic adaptive athletes are teamed with able-bodied coaches who participate alongside them as they bicycle on unpaved paths , paddle canoes and boats on waterways and complete obstacle courses .
TOP : Adventure Team Challenge New York athletes find challenge in a climbing tower . BOTTOM : Athletes at the Adventure Team Challenge in Colorado assist an adaptive athlete up a steeply-climbing trail . RIGHT : Adaptive and able-bodied athletes stretch at the beginning of the Dralla Foundation Adventure Team Challenge Washington , D . C .
to assist and support their adaptive colleagues through backcountry terrain . Crossing the finish line on Sunday , each athlete has immense pride in their accomplishments .
Since the inaugural Challenge in 2007 , participating athletes have included military veterans , corporate employees and outdoor adventure-seekers . Each builds upon their personal skills and experiences to create a supportive team that can successfully undertake any obstacle along the route . There are no limits to outdoor adventure when individuals apply their skills and knowledge cooperatively .
In less remote terrain in New York ’ s Catskill Mountains and along the historic C & O Canal in suburban Washington , D . C ., similar , yet more gentle , team competitions under the Adventure Team Challenge banner provide younger adaptive athletes their own transformative experiences .
Since New York ’ s first Adventure Team Challenge in 2010 and Washington , D . C .’ s first in 2011 , more than 200 adaptive teens have successfully completed these inclusive events . Parents often attend to cheer on and support their children , but it is the competing athletes who benefit the most . Many have never before ventured off paved sidewalks , rode bicycles or helped paddle a canoe or boat . The Challenge offers these athletes the opportunity to expand their knowledge and appreciation of the world and to recognize the value of outdoor sports in their lives . For the participating able-bodied coaches , they see and recognize how adaptive athletes can inspire everyone , including themselves .
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