SOAR

1
Providing Miles of Smiles
SOAR
Specialized Outdoor Adaptive Recreation
2
(No Transcript)
3
(No Transcript)
4
Black Bear Access Ramps
5
Railing used for boat loading unloading
6
Return Ski Route
Picket Fence Area
New Marina
Black Bear Access
7
New Marina
8
SOAR

• The mission of the SOAR program is to provide
  water-based recreational and leisure activities
  for people with a variety of disabilities.
• In September of 1999, 5,000 was raised to fund a
  three day Adaptive Water Skiing workshop
  facilitated by Anchors Away, Charleston, S.C.
• 28 staff from the Center and Broughton, as well
  as a individuals from the community attended.
• 30 individuals with various challenges, including
  developmental disabilities, learning
  disabilities, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain
  injuries, spinal cord injuries, and lower
  extremity amputations were able to water ski.

• SOAR began in June of 2000.
• This unique program was born from a need for
  increased physical and recreational activities
  for
• persons with developmental disabilities,
  various physical, mental and social challenges.
• Currently, the program provides services for
  people from the surrounding counties of Burke,
  
• McDowell, and State facilities (Broughton
  Hospital, JIRDC).
• Services include adaptive water skiing, jet
  ski and boat rides.
• During the first season, research was
  conducted to measure the Participants behavioral
  responses
• during the skiing experience.
• The outcome from this research indicated
  Participants self-esteem and confidence
  increased,
• while behavioral issues decreased.

9
Equipment
Sit Ski

• Three Sit Skis metal cage attached to a ski
  with a sling, and two smaller skis called
  outriggers for balance (small, medium, large)
• Life jackets for the skier and all staff
• One boat, two jet skis
• Pull rope, quick release, whistles, two-way
  radios from vehicles to dock master
• Padding, safety goggles, water shoes, first aid
  kit
• Body board, life rescue tube
• Tool box, tent, chairs
• Port O - John

10
Skiing Preparation

• Prior to skiing, the individual must have written
  permission from their guardian (as required)
• Potential skiers should be able to hold their
  breath under water for 10 15 seconds and be
  able to turn themselves over from face down to
  face up (with life jacket on)
• Skiers should also demonstrate hand signals (take
  me back, cut me loose, go slower, go faster) so
  they can communicate with the Quick Release
  person on the boat
• Inability to pass the water test and hand signals
  does not necessarily prohibit the individual from
  skiing. This is primarily used to alert staff to
  heightened readiness should the skier not be able
  to complete the ski route
• The skier is fitted for the proper sit ski and
  life jacket

Water test
11
Skiing

• Boat is staffed with a driver and a Quick Release
  person
• Picket fence is staffed with no fewer than three
  people
• Two jet skis staffed with a driver and jumper on
  each ski
• Dock Master who is responsible for communicating
  traffic issues, precautions to the boat driver as
  well as maintaining safety on the dock with
  community boaters to ensure minimal interference
  to the skiing program
• Starter who is responsible for assisting the
  skier into the sit ski, positioning the skier to
  maintain balance during the starting of the boat
  and the skiing experience

12
Dock Master
Skier
13

• The skier is slowly pulled toward the edge of the
  no wake zone, at which time everyone picks up
  speed and the skier is up and skiing

Skier
Starter
14
And theyre off!!
15

• The two jet skis position themselves on either
  side of the skier, maintaining a distance of the
  approximate length of the ski rope from the back
  side of the skier. These two jet skis follow the
  skier as chase vehicles.
• The ski route lasts approximately 10 minutes.
• If a safety concern is identified by either of
  the two chase vehicles or the Quick Release, a
  whistle is blown and the skier is dropped into
  the water.
• When the skier is released by the Quick Release
  for safety reasons, the jumper on the jet ski
  jumps into the water to help balance the skier,
  keeping them safe. The second jet ski (jumper)
  comes in and jumps into the water to assist.
• The skier can then return to skiing from what is
  called a deep water start, or transported to
  the boat for return to the dock.
• If a deep water start is initiated, the jumper
  from the jet ski then stays with the skier to
  assist with balance, as in the initial start from
  the dock.

16

• The Quick Release person maintains eye contact
  with the skier at all times, while watching the
  jet skis in their periphery vision for any
  emergency hand signals. This ensures the safety
  of the skier, as well as enabling the skier to
  communicate with the staff to end the ski session
  or ride the route. This person is also
  responsible for communicating to the driver how
  the skier is doing.
• The jet skis can move up in positioning to check
  out any concerns about the skier and signal to
  the Quick Release, or blow a whistle if they
  think safety is being compromised.
• The skier runs the ski route, and returns to the
  drop area, where the picket fence is waiting.
• The driver, Quick Release and jet skis ready
  themselves for the drop at the picket fence.
• The picket fence watches the skier, keeps arms in
  the air to assist the boat driver in knowing
  their position with the boat and skier.
• Once the skier passes the first picket fence
  person, the Quick Release pulls the ski rope
  release, thus dropping the skier into the water
  close to the picket fence.
• The picket fence then swims as quickly as
  possible to the skier to keep the skier above
  water and assist with balance.
• The jet ski jumper jumps into the water and
  assists.
• The skier is then pulled back to shore via a jet
  ski with a staff member in tow behind the sit ski
  to maintain safety.

17
(No Transcript)
18
(No Transcript)
19
Skier
Jet Ski
Picket Fence
20
Putting It All Together
21
(No Transcript)
22
Soar End of Year Picnic
23
This is what its all about!
24
SOAR
A special thanks to Riverdance for the use of
The Countess Cathleen/Women of the Sidhe
composed by Bill Whelan The SOAR team thanks
all of you who support our skiers. They smile
because of you!