We are SO excited about Season 4 of The Amazing Race Canada – starting Tuesday June 28 as ASRAB Member Lowell Taylor and his wife Julie will be competing!
Lowell is an adrenaline junkie, and a travel enthusiast. As Lowell’s vision decreases, and before he loses it completely, Julie and Lowell felt as though participating in Amazing Race Canada would be the greatest opportunity to combine travel, adventure, and experience. Another big motivator for applying for Amazing Race Canada, was to inspire their sons (ages 3 and 4), as well as those with disabilities.
Lowell and Julie began the application process in November 2015, and found out they were selected in February 2016. They were really thrilled, especially as Lowell understands this will be the first time anyone with a visual impairment has ever been included in the history of The Amazing Race franchise. Lowell has been training and competing in Para-Triathlon and Para-Cycling (road and track) events with a goal to compete in the Paralympic Games. He had been aiming for a qualifying event in road / track cycling hoping to make the Rio team, but unfortunately the para-cycling event conflicted with the Amazing Race. They chose The Amazing Race Canada, and Lowell is now aiming for a Paralympic experience in Tokyo 2020! Julie also actively participates in triathlon. In fact, triathlon is a big family event for Lowell and Julie, parents of two young boys, with the kids recently participating in a triathlon event as well.
Lowell has Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and is legally blind. He has no peripheral vision, reduced central vision, and no vision in low light. Lowell has adjusted to decreasing sight his entire life, and has found passion in sports.
Once selected as a team for The Amazing Race Canada, Lowell and Julie made some training adjustments. They had been watching Amazing Race Canada together since season 1, and knew there were some skills that they should refine before The Race. Lowell slowed down his cardio training to focus on increasing his strength. They took up wall climbing, and became certified belayers (technique used to manage the rope of a climber). They spent a lot of time determining what to pack for The Race, with the need for headlamps, magnifiers, neon clothing for Julie, and multiple canes for Lowell. They are ready!
Lowell firmly believes that there is so much value of sport and recreation to the visually impaired (ASRAB’s mandate!), including:
- it’s a way to find meaning, purpose, and value despite disability
- it’s a way to experience fun and fulfilment
- it’s a way to push perceived limits
- it’s a way to connect with others and find camaraderie, community and shared support
- sport is also a way to give back- teamwork, collaboration, helping others
Check out Lowell and Julie’s team page with more details and info:
http://theamazingracecanada.ctv.ca/teams/julieandlowell
Their twitter account is: @JulieLowellCAN
The first episode preview is available on The Amazing Race site (http://theamazingracecanada.ctv.ca/) … which opens with Lowell steering a canoe!
Season 4 of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA airs Tuesdays, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO
Encore presentations air Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and Sundays at 5 p.m. ET/PT (1 p.m. ET/PT on July 3 only) on CTV and CTV GO. Visit CTV.ca to check local listings. Previous seasons are also now streaming on CraveTV.
