WINDHAM, N.Y. – The Adaptive Sports Foundation’s (ASF) summer programming has come to a close after the conclusion of its final adaptive skateboard camp on Saturday, September 14.

This was the fourth year the ASF has conducted adaptive skateboard camps and the second year the organization utilized the Tannersville Skatepark. Local skateboard coaches Johnny O’Connor, Frank Cabrera and other pro-level coaches were hired by the ASF to provide its students the best training available, no matter the participant’s experience. In total, 16 students spent at least one Saturday this summer riding with the ASF in Tannersville.

“Skateboarding, to me, is all about the creativity. You can do anything you want with it,” participant Zach Elder said. “You can do different tricks, you can hit any obstacles you want to hit, it’s just the fun aspect of stepping out of your comfort zone. Some of this stuff you never thought you could do, but you want to push yourself as much as you can. It’s really extraordinary for some people.”

Elder learned to skateboard six years ago, and he pushed the ASF to start an adaptive skateboarding program. Now, four years after the ASF’s first skateboarding camp, he is still one of the main champions for the ASF’s adaptive skateboard camps and he is still learning new tricks, thanks to the professional level of coaching.

“Skateboarding means a lot to me,” participant Anna Lazare said. “I love riding the ramps, they give me so much freedom. Also, the coaches are smart, organized and they know what they’re doing. I appreciate the ASF’s mission, and I hope to spread that mission further to the world.”

The ASF hosted six adaptive skateboard camps, two three-day multi-sport summer camps and seven Warriors in Motion® programs in the summer of 2024. The foundation will set its sights on its busy winter season of teaching adaptive ski and snowboard lessons to individuals with disabilities at Windham Mountain Club. The ASF’s winter season begins the second weekend in December and ends the second weekend in March.

About the Adaptive Sports Foundation

For 40 years the ASF has been providing sports and recreation opportunities to thousands in the disabled community. Since then, it has grown into what it is today, an organization that provides year-round services out of its own slope-side lodge, the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center. All this has been accomplished over the years thanks to many donors and an impressive legion of volunteers.

The Adaptive Sports Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides profound and life changing experiences for children and adults with physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities and chronic illnesses through outdoor physical activity, education, support and community. For more information about the Adaptive Sports Foundation please visit www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org.