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SSASS gets a boost from sponsors

Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports is gearing up for its annual fundraiser, the Carter Classic
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The winning team for best costume in last year’s Carter Classic

It’s been several years since Randy Shellenberg has volunteered with Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports (SSASS) but he still has a garage full of old sit-skis

Back in the mid ‘90s Shellenberg, the owner and president of Quickturn Production Machining, watched several local skiers such as Lars Taylor and Joan Reid, gliding down Silver Star in their sit-skis. Being both an avid skier and a machinist, he was intrigued by these skiers with disabilities and their equipment so he joined the North Okanagan Disabled Ski Association which is now known as SSASS. As well as being an instructor, he was on the equipment committee and found that his passion for tinkering with machinery was a good fit for SSASS’s continual need for repairs and adjustments to equipment.

“There’s lots you can do to adapt equipment. The important focus is on ability rather than disability and to adapt the equipment to the individual needs,” said Shellenberg,  who has been involved with several other adaptive sports programs in our community.

Although not a current volunteer with SSASS, his company continues to be a corporate sponsor.

“SSASS is a great volunteer organization that fosters teamwork and friendships,” he said. “There are no paid employees so all the funds go towards operating costs and equipment.”

Today sit-skis are built better and safer, however Shellenberg still receives occasional phone calls from SSASS requesting him to make alterations or repairs to equipment. Who knows, maybe someday those old sit-skis in his garage will be used for parts.

He credits Silver Star Mountain Resort for its strong support of SSASS. Silver Star SnowSport School and SSASS have a close relationship and Silver Star sets up a race course and provides the timing equipment for the annual Carter Classic Memorial Dual Slalom. It is an exciting event open to teams consisting of both abled-bodied skiers/boarders and skiers/boarders with disabilities.

“I love the Carter Classic,” said  Norman Kreutz, Silver Star SnowSports School director.

Both Shellenberg and Kreutz agree that SSASS has touched a lot of individuals and their families, enabling individuals with disabilities to ski independently and with their families and friends.

Local realtor Heidi Lussi learned about SSASS from her former assistant Gillian Don. When Don, a keen skier, moved to Vernon in 2003 she became a SSASS instructor and shared her enthusiasm for the organization with Lussi, who had grown up skiing in her native Switzerland and still loves skiing up at Silver Star.

After talking with longtime SSASS member Andy Mather, Lussi decided to become a corporate sponsor.

“I don’t have time to volunteer,” she said, “so I contribute as a sponsor.”

Lussi proudly shows me the picture of the first junior sit-ski that SSASS acquired as a result of her initial donation in 2005. In the photo, sitting in the junior mountain-man bi-ski, is Chelaine McInroy, one of the first students to use it. Since then, Chelaine has excelled at the sport and now trains and competes at the national and international level. Check a recent interview with her at: www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/facesoftomorrow/chelaine-mcinroy-1.3280562

Lussi has participated in several Carter Classics and recalls the exciting atmosphere of the race and the feelings of inclusiveness, with everyone cheering all for all the skiers. She describes being both appreciative of her own health and also being in awe of the talents of the adaptive skiers.

This year SSASS invites you, along with two or three friends, relatives or colleagues to join in on the fun Feb. 20 at Silver Star Mountain Resort for the 15th annual Carter Classic. Simply enter a team by contacting SSASS (we’ll match you with an adaptive skier). Team members collect donations to help support SSASS programs. “Safe ski” costumes are encouraged.

For information, visit www.ssass.bc.ca, email info@ssass.bc.ca or call 250-260-3737.