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Para-nordic pilot project takes flight in Naughton

With the launch of a para-nordic ski program in 2007, coach Patti Kitlar and the good folks at the Walden Cross-Country Fitness Club in Naughton set the wheels in motion for some pretty impressive accomplishments.

With the launch of a para-nordic ski program in 2007, coach Patti Kitlar and the good folks at the Walden Cross-Country Fitness Club in Naughton set the wheels in motion for some pretty impressive accomplishments.

Over the weekend, the site served as the venue for a pilot coaching course, helping to build the framework to provide an introduction course for competitive coaches working with athletes with a disability.

Kitlar, along with B.C. Native Tony Chin, have been busy writing the material to be used. The weekend session allowed the pairing to test out their work, to date, on a small grouping of both athletes and coaches.

“For cross-country skiing, Walden has the largest program of its kind for kids with disabilities,” said Kitlar. “Most of the similar programs in southern Ontario are for adults. There are so many kids that are disabled that simply do not get the opportunity.”

Along with local athletes Alissa Langman and Tanya Quesnel, Toronto native Jason Naval, a former member of the national sitting volleyball team, provided some helpful feedback to the coaches on hand.

Involved in a motorcycle accident in 2009, Naval has now been competing in para-sports for the past three years.

“I was motivated to get back up and play basketball,” said the 28 year-old amputee.

“It was very hard at the beginning, just with the pain. It was challenging, but with rehab, I was able to overcome the pain.”

While Naval has also attempted kayaking and nordic skiing, it was in sitting volleyball that he achieved the greatest success.

“Volleyball is a lot of fun,” he said. “But it's hard, because our team is scattered everywhere, so it's hard to train.”

Enter the world of para-nordic ski.

“With cross-country skiing, at least you can train yourself, and you still have teammates that can help you grow.”

Making his first-ever trek to Sudbury, Naval was more than happy to help out wherever he could.

“Everything here is new to me, so I try and absorb everything,” he said. “I actually had the chance to sit in on the coaching session, to get a chance to see things from their perspective.”

For coach Kitlar, who first started nordic skiing at the age of 25 before cutting her teeth in the coaching ranks in Manitoba, the positives from the program are incredibly rewarding.

“It's really a health benefit for all of these kids growing up,” she said. “And I get to work with other coaches from other areas, mentoring them on how to deal with their athletes.”


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