Coach Works With Team Semper FI USMC Charity

ARMED FORCES PARA-SNOWSPORT

COACH WORKS WITH TEAM SEMPER FI USMC CHARITY

Written By: WO Richie Page

Having served multiple times on Operations as a Fire-fighter with the US and UK Armed Forces, I have witnessed first-hand many of the horrific injuries that our serving men and women can sustain.

In a former life I competed for GB in Snowboardcross before a broken back pushed me into Performance

Coaching. So, when the opportunity came to do the same for military veterans, through Adaptive Snowboard coaching, a chance to give something back became a reality.

For several winter seasons I coached with the Armed Forces Para-Snowboard Team (AFPST) and met some of those veterans that I assisted at Camp Bastion and other Theatres; even more so when asked to travel to Breckenridge, Colorado, with AFPST to do the same with both American and British veterans. I kept in touch with some of the US athletes and coaches to keep current with the sport and coaching techniques, but when my family and I were posted to Colorado Springs, I wondered if I could help my American counterparts.

I was invited to assist Team Semper Fi, a USMC charity which provides adaptive equipment, instructional clinics, mentorship, coaching and physical outlets through various activities such as cycling, mountain biking, snow sports, water sports, triathlon, fishing, and team sports.

The idea for the Semper Fi and America's Fund Sports Program was created for wounded service members, with both visible and invisible wounds, who refuse to let their challenges prevent them from competing in athletic events, whose drive and determination inspired the charity founders. It has representation at all levels, from complete novices, weekend sports enthusiasts, to Paralympians and professional athletes. They participate around the country to build the community, raise awareness, and inspire fellow Service members on their own road to recovery. On this trip, we travelled to Lake Tahoe, on the border of California and Nevada, and met the thirty participants who would be taking part over the three-day event. In a busy schedule we visited a different location each day: Northstar, Alpine Meadows and Palisades Ski Areas, all of which have well established adaptive programs and facilities.

Many of the Service members had never tried Winter Sports, where others’ experience

varied, including some, with a potential eye on the next Paralympic Winter Games in Italy. Irrespective of injury and experience, all showed determination to succeed, and a spirit that came from the pride in their Service, along with a quite cutting level of banter that is only present in the military adaptive community. A single, below-knee amputation was referred to as a paper cut by the double above-knee amputee in the sit-ski!

The team was made up of Service men and women who have overcome significant challenges in their service to the US and have embraced the same fighting, athletic spirit in their recovery that they had while serving. They are inspirational but, perhaps more importantly, they are an inspiration to their fellow service members who are also on their journey. Throughout my time in the military, and as a Snowsports competitor and instructor, working with these men and women, and seeing them succeed in their goals, has been one the most rewarding and uplifting experiences of my life.