All Programs

Athletics (Track & Field)

Track and field is a sport practiced around the world at all levels, from youth programs to the Paralympic and Olympic Games. It includes a wide range of athletic events centered around running, jumping and throwing. ASRAB offers Athletics “Try-It” programs in the spring where our members can experience a variety of athletic events including shot put, discus, and guided running events such as the 100m and 200m races.

Performance Pathway

Beginner Level: ASRAB youth and adult programs

• Walking club

Intermediate/Competitive Level: Track and field athletes can compete at ASAA (Alberta School`s Athletic Association)

• 100m race
• 200m race
• Shotput

International Competitions:

• IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) World Games
  • Track- Sprint (100m, 200m, 400m), Middle Distance (800m, 1500m), Long Distance (5000m, 10,000m).
  • Field Events: Long jump, triple jump, discus, shot put, and javelin.
• Paralympics
  • Track- Sprint (100m, 200m, 400m), Middle Distance (800m, 1500m), Long Distance (5000m), and Relay.
  • Field Events: Long jump, discus, shot put, and javelin.

Blind Hockey

Visually impaired and sighted players have been taking to the ice for hockey for many years now in Alberta. The metal puck houses multiple ball bearings that rattle as the puck moves across the ice. Often the players with the most sight will play forward and those with increased vision loss typically play defense. Some rules are slightly different than typical hockey as there must be at least one clean pass in the offensive zone for the goalie to have an idea where the puck is coming from. Another rule is that a goal can only be scored in the bottom half of the net for both safety reasons and because the puck is unable to make noise while in flight. There is also a three-foot leeway rule in effect for offside because those who are visually impaired may not be able to clearly identify the blue line. ASRAB partners with Canadian Blind Hockey to provide new and exciting hockey experiences to people who are visually impaired.

Performance Pathway

Beginner Level: Youth Programs

• ASRAB hosts weekly Blind Hockey practices/games in the fall and winter, as well as an annual Alberta
  Blind Hockey Challenge.
• Canadian Blind Hockey hosts youth programs and camps in Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer.

Intermediate/Competitive Level:

• Seeing Ice Dogs – Calgary Blind Hockey
• See Hawks – Edmonton Blind Hockey
• Camrose Canines Blind Hockey
• Central Alberta Bulls Eye Blind Hockey

International Competitions:

• Canadian National Blind Hockey Team (International Blind Ice Hockey Federation- IBIHF)

Blind Soccer (Five-a-Side)

Blind soccer or five-a-side is played between two teams of players with an audible soccer ball. The game is played on a rectangular field with a goal at each end. The object of the game is to work together with your teammates to get past the other team and score on their net, while also defending your own net. ASRAB offers a blind soccer program designed for all ages and abilities to introduce you to various soccer techniques and skills. Learn how to dribble, pass and shoot with experienced coaches and athletes there to mentor you.

Performance Pathway

Beginner Level: Youth Programs

• ASRAB youth programs occur outdoors in the spring and summer.

International Competitions:

1. Paralympics: Compete on a world stage at the Paralympic Games held every four years.
2. IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) World Games.

Bowling

The aim of bowling is to release a heavy ball down a long lane in efforts to knock down pins at the other end while trying to throw as few shots as possible. The best shot is a strike where you get every single pin down on the first shot. Each turn you get three chances to throw and after each turn you receive points. After each turn, your points add up and whoever receives the most points by the end of the game wins. As many visually impaired sports do, bowling also can be one where you use a guide or director. This person will help you to navigate the lane and let you know which pins are still standing after each shot. There can often be railings along some lanes for participants to be able to follow along as they throw the bowling ball.

Cross-country Skiing & Down Hill Skiing

Cross-country skiing is where skiers rely on their own locomotion to move across snow-covered trails that are flat for long distances. Cross-country skiers use very long and narrow skis where only the toe of the ski boot is attached. This allows skiers to push and glide with the help of poles to move forward. Often skiers go on trails that have been specifically groomed for cross-country skiing and therefore have specific tracks in the snow to guide you.

Down hill skiing also referred to as alpine skiing is a winter sport where individuals ski down snow covered hills or mountains relying on gravity for movement. Alpine skiers use wider skies where both the skiers’ toes and heels are fixed into bindings that are attached to the skies. Typically, skiers will ride a chairlift or gondola up the side of a mountain and then ski down groomed runs focusing on speed, turning and control while descending.

Performance Pathway

Beginner Level:

• ASRAB offers both alpine and Nordic skiing winter programs.

International Competitions:

• Paralympics:
  • Para-Alpine: downhill, super-g, slalom, giant slalom, and super combined
  • Para-Nordic: cross country and biathlon.

Dance

Dance is a type of performing art that consists of moving different body parts to the rhythm of music. Dance can help to increase coordination, movement, orientation, and independence. Dance students can learn skills under the various disciplines of dance, including hip-hop, ballet, line dancing and tap. This is a fun way to express yourself and learn new movements either on your own or with a partner.

Disc Golf

Disc Golf is a flying disc sport where players throw a disc, like a frisbee, toward a target, usually a metal basket with chains. The sport follows similar rules to traditional golf where you play 9 or 18 “holes” (baskets) and each hole has a par score based on the distance and level of difficulty. Like in golf, the goal is to get your disc into the basket with the fewest number of throws. There are also different types of discs for different distances including a driver disc, mid-range disc, and putter disc. Disc golf is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise in the spring, summer and fall months.

Dragon Boat

Dragon boating is a Chinese watersport that has been around for over 2000 years. While competition has taken place annually for more than 20 centuries as part of religious ceremonies and folk customs, dragon boat racing has emerged in modern times as an international sport. A dragon boat is long and narrow and can fit up to 20 people with two people per seat. Each person on either side paddles to the beat of a drum. ASRAB offers dragon boat practices in July and August to prepare for the Dragon Boat Festival held every year in mid August. Under the guidance of an experienced instructor, members will gain the insight and skills needed to be successful at the festival.

Performance Pathway

Beginner Level: Youth Programs

• ASRAB youth programs occur outdoors in the spring and summer.

Intermediate/Competitive Level:

• Dragon Boat Canada Para Team
• The 16th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing 2023 Championships were held in Pattaya

International Competitions:

• Paralympics: Compete in Para Rowing (1000m).
• Men’s & women’s single skulls
• Mixed double skulls, coaxed fours

Goalball

Goalball is the signature program of ASRAB. Goalball was initiated in 1946 to aid in the rehabilitation of blinded war veterans. The game was introduced in 1976 at the Paralympics in Toronto and has been played at every Paralympics since. World Championships are held every four years. Goalball is now played competitively in over 85 countries world-wide. Goalball is a team sport played on a standard volleyball court. The goals run the full width of the court and are 1.3 meters high. A goalball weighs 1.25 kg and has bells inside it.

Goalball has three characteristics that distinguish it from all team ball games played by sighted people:

1. it is played with a ball that is audible, so that the player can hear it when it is in motion (and fans must cheer silently, so as not to interfere with the athletes’ ability to hear the ball);
2. it is played on a court with tactile markings so the players can find their positions on the court by checking the markings with
   their feet or hands.
3. all players wear blacked out goggles, so they have equal vision – none.

ASRAB regularly hosts goalball tournaments; to showcase the sport in Alberta and provide our elite athletes with a competitive
opportunity.

The Provincial Program runs year-round.

• Season – runs from approximately October to May. There are weekly weekend practices, run by ASRAB coaches. The season
  usually involves travel to 1-2 competitions, leading up to the National Championships.
• Off Season – runs from approximately June – September. The participants will continue physical training and participate in a monthly practice to maintain technical skills.

Performance Pathway

Beginner Level: ASRAB Youth Programs

• Learn the fundamental skills of goalball, get active, and have FUN!

Sight Classifications:
*Goalball can also be played by people with no visual impairments at the beginner level as all players wear eyeshades.

Intermediate/Competitive Level:

• Both junior and senior athletes can train to compete at a regional, provincial, and national level.

International Competitions:

1. Parapan American Games: Compete at an international level in the Parapan American Games, which includes North, South, and Central America, as well as the Caribbean.
   https://www.paralympic.org/americas-paralympic-committee/goalball
2. IBSA World Championships and Games: Compete as a goalball athlete in the International Blind Sports Association World
   Championship.
   https://goalball.sport/
3. Paralympics: Compete on a world stage at the Paralympic Games held every four years.
   https://www.paralympic.org/goalball/about

Golf

In golf, players use various clubs to hit a ball into a series of holes on a course in as few strokes as possible. Get lined up with a volunteer and under the guidance of instructors, perfect your swing. You will learn about this amazing sport where the goal is to hit a small white ball with a club down the green and into a small hole. Spend time on the putting green, driving range and take a crack at the entire 9-hole course at the end of the sessions. Our volunteers will aid you in lining up for the correct shot and letting you know the distance of each shot.

Gymnastics

The sport of gymnastics helps to build balance, strength, flexibility, agility, endurance and body control. Common equipment used in gymnastics is the trampoline, balance beam, climbing ropes and bars. ASRAB offers a gymnastics program in the spring for our youth members to help develop their fundamental movement skills through fun activities and games.

Lawn Bowling

The objective of lawn bowling is to roll the balls so that they stop close to a smaller ball called a “jack”. It is played outdoors on a bowling green. The athletes determine where and how far to throw through directions given to them by a sighted director. Within the game you and your director will learn offensive and defensive tactics to play your best game. ASRAB offers lawn bowling programs in the summer months.

Martial Arts

Under the guidance of experienced martial artists, ASRAB has explored Maui Tai, Tai Kwan Do, kickboxing, tai chi, self-defense and more. A variety of these arts originated in Asia as a technique used to fight. Combat sports can be a great muscle mass builder as well as a cardio enhancer; now they are often used as sports and recreation outlets for training purposes.

Performance Pathway

Beginner Level: ASRAB Youth Programs

• Learn the fundamental skills of goalball, get active, and have FUN!
• ASRAB Programs:
  -Self defense
  -Tai Chi
  -Kick Boxing
  -Taekwondo

Intermediate/Competitive Level:

• Athletes can train to compete at a regional, provincial, and national level in:
  -Judo

International Competitions:

1. Parapan American Games: Compete at an international level in the Parapan American Games, which includes North,
   South, and Central America, as well as the Caribbean.
2. IBSA World Championships and Games: Compete as a judo athlete in the International Blind Sports Association World
   Championship.
3. Paralympics: Compete on a world stage at the Paralympic Games held every four years.

Movement 4 Me

Our goal is to allow children with visual impairments to have a great start to an active life by focusing on developing their physical literacy. Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding of movement for engagement in physical activities for life. These skills are the building blocks that are essential for a successful transition into sport and physical activities. This is achieved in a fun environment through play with ASRAB’s created program. During this program, the skills are learned through fun games, sports, dance, songs, and play. This program will help children gain more confidence in their physical abilities, and movements. Fundamental movement skills include three categories:

Locomotor & Body Skills

• Walking
• Running
• Balance
• Jumping
• Hopping
• Skipping

Sending Skills

• Throwing
• Kicking
• Striking
• Rolling
• Bouncing
• Pushing

Receiving Skills

• Catching
• Trapping
• Fielding

Rock Climbing

Indoor climbing is performed on artificial structures affixed to a large wall that mimics the experience of outdoor rocks and cliffs. Discover how to climb effectively through the reach and feel method or tapping method at various climbing walls. The reach and feel method involve the athlete reaching to discover tactilely their surroundings and find new holds to help them move up the wall. The tapping method is where a sighted climber moves alongside the visually impaired climber and taps on possible holds for them to use.

Performance Pathway

Beginner Level:

• ASRAB offers a program of indoor rock climbing

International Competitions:

• International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) – host international competitions like the IFSC Para-Climbing World Championships

Sailing

Sailing is where a boat propels along the water by only wind and large sails. Learn the ropes of sailing with experienced instructors that will teach you all you need to know. You will board the boat with a couple of members and an instructor where you will learn about how to man the sails and steer the boat. This program will allow you the freedom of choosing your own course and speed out on the waters.

Snow-Shoeing

Snowshoes have a tennis racquet like structure, and they strap onto your winter boots. Snowshoes are very wide to allow people to walk through deep snow without sinking. Snowshoeing is a great way to be active throughout the winter months and can be done in pairs or as a group activity. ASRAB offers snowshoeing programs throughout our winter months across Alberta for our members to have the chance to explore and try a fun and active winter sport.

Skating

Ice skating can be both indoors or outdoors and sometimes on naturally occurring bodies of frozen water such as ponds, lakes and rivers. Skates have long blades that run the length of the boot and are sharp enough to allow you to glide along the ice. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, ASRAB offers programs where you can learn the basic skills of skating such as how to stop, start, turn, skate backwards and more.

Strength Training

Strength training is a type of exercise that focuses on building up an individual’s muscle strength, endurance and balance using resistance tools and body weight training. It can be done by people of all ages and fitness levels and provides numerous health benefits including increases muscle strength, improves cardiovascular health, boosts metabolism and supports healthy aging. ASRAB offers strength training programs where participants will learn and practice exercises that develop strength and confidence to start training at home or in a gym setting.

Swimming

Our swimming program allows members to learn recreational swimming skills such as floating, kicking breathing control and basic strokes. It is a low- impact activity that has several mental and bodily health benefits and is a great recreational activity for everyone. Swimming builds endurance, muscle strength, and cardiovascular fitness. The competitive sport of swimming can be done as an individual or team sport, and typically it takes place in pools. ASRAB also offers adult aquacise programs in the summer which is a form of aerobic workout done usually in the shallow end of the pool.

Performance Pathway

Beginner Level: Youth Programs

• ASRAB youth programs occur outdoors in the spring and summer.

International Competitions:

1. Paralympics:

• Freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, individual medley, and relay.

2. Parapan American Games: Compete at an international level in the Parapan American Games, which includes North, South, and Central America, as well as the Caribbean.

• Events: 50-400m freestyle, 50-100m butterfly, medley (relay) 150-200m (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle).

Tandem Cycling

Tandem bicycles are used in competitions such as the Paralympics with blind and visually impaired cyclists riding with fully sighted captains. ASRAB offers a youth and an adult program that allows you to try tandem cycling or expand your skills. While being mentored by an experienced instructor, you will learn how to mount and maneuver the two-seated bike. You and your sighted friend or volunteer will learn how to balance the bike, work together to pick up speed as well as how to navigate the road or track.

Performance Pathway

Beginner Level:

• ASRAB offers both youth and adult programs for tandem cycling.

International Competitions:

• Paralympics – Tandem sprint, 1000m time trial, and individual pursuit.
• Parapan American Games: Compete at an international level in the Parapan American Games, which includes North, South, and Central America, as well as the Caribbean.
• Events: Road cycling 7-10 km, and track cycling 200m-4km.

Walking Club

Start walking and join in on some social conversations among members and volunteers as we explore various parks and pathways around the major centres across Alberta. This is a terrific way to get outdoors, stay active and make new friends. Our walking clubs are available for all ages and abilities and are offered year-round.