Shannon Dallas - From Number 1 in the World to Grassroots Volunteer
G’day DWA members, friends and family,
My name is Shannon Dallas, Paralympian monoskier....
What a cracker season it’s been so far in the Snowies! And I’m stocked to back on snow after 2 years of retirement following the 2O1O Vancouver Paralympics. Too long have I been away from a sport that has given me soo much opportunity. Alpine skiing, I believe, is at the pinnacle of disabled sports and offers complete independence for unprecedented adventure for most wheelchair users and disabled people alike.
Seeking some purpose, I made the decision to volunteer for DWA this season as a guide. DWA volunteer guides, gain access to discounted ski passes. This was a bonus on top of the opportunity to give a little back to an awesome organisation that supported me in my early days of my ski development.
Needing some qualifications I embarked on the DWA Training and Education Program (TEP).
Day one at Smiggins blessed us with some typically blue bird weather. First up was all about Standing Disabilities lead by the brains trust Tom Liolios. Who knew more about guiding disabled skiers that GOD himself! The term, Standing skiers, in a disworld refers to Visually Impaired {VI} skiers, four tracker {skiers that use 2 skis n Outriggers/crutches with small skis on them} and generally anyone who doesn’t skin sitting down. Yeah yeah, obviously! After some thorough instruction, students were partnered up and with eyes closed, led around the mountain by their trusty student guides. Too much fun! I take my hat off to all you VI skiers out there. Tricky stuff! Next was Adaptive Snowboarding which saw the US import, Pete Higgins and Randall Joseph take over. These boys are heading up the development of Aussie Adaptive Snowboarders making the charge for the next games in Sochi 2O14 and they know their stuff. And even if they didn’t, I would’ve been bedazzled by their charisma and charm. Typical Snowboarders! Students partnered up again, one was fitted in the snow wing [adaptive waist harness] and the fun and games followed.
Day Two was all about Sitting Skiers. The blue skies had clouded in a were proceeding to dump the heavenly white stuff all over the region leaving chain bays crowded and this wheely, with no chains left to hitch a ride to Smigs. Emerys Meijer {qualified nurse}, a local and veteran guide was in charge of proceedings, seeing all guides given the opportunity to jump into a Monoski and get a feel first hand for what it’s really like to sitski. What ensued saw more smiles than your average Cerebral Palsy Alliance ski week.
Getting back to the serious stuff, the day finished with a written assessment in which all passed with flying colours.
So if anyone is interested in getting involved in volunteer guiding, I thoroughly recommend it to all. Even if all you get out of it is a great time, more than that, you’ll have the opportunity to impact and empower peoples lives in the future!
Check out other guide development opportunities at the upcoming DWA Adaptive Snowsports Festival running 4 th till 1Oth of August. by clicking here
Pictured left , DWA Trainer and Former World Number 1 Shannon Dallas and right ,current National Team Member and DWA Trainer Mark Soyer
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