• Wheelchair Athletics (WC Racing & Seated Throws)

  • Overview

    Looking to improve your speed and/or strength? Do you like to go fast? Throw Far? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then Wheelchair Athletics is the sport for you!

     

    Wheelchair Athletics includes both Wheelchair Racing and Seated Throws and participants can compete in a variety of Track and Field disciplines plus road races.

     

    For those looking to compete at a higher level, the BC Provincial Wheelchair Athletics Team competes each year at the Canadian Track and Field Championships. Wheelchair Athletics is also included in the Canada Summer Games held every four years!

     

    Many BCWSA athletes and alumni have represented Canada at World Championships and/or Paralympic Games including Michelle Stilwell, Kelly Smith, Tristan Smyth, Nathan Dewitt, Teri Thorson, and more.

     

     

  • Who Can Play?

    Wheelchair Athletics is a great sport for anyone looking for an individual sport within a team atmosphere!

  • Our wheelchair athletics programs are open to athletes with physical disabilities of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re brand new, just looking for a workout, or pursuing podiums, you have a place with us!

     

    At the national and international level, athletes are classified based on their type of impairment and how it affects them.

     

    Eligible impairments include but are not limited to: spinal cord injuries (paraplegia and quadriplegia), amputations and limb differences, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Charcot Marie-Tooth, and more.

     

    To learn about Para-Athletics classification, visit: https://www.paralympic.org/athletics/classification

  • WC Racing Overview

    An exciting sport and a favorite of fans at the Paralympic Games! If you love going fast, wheelchair racing is the sport for you.

     

    Wheelchair racers compete in a variety of distances on both the track and the road. Whether you want to sprint to the finish (100m, 200m, 400m), execute strategy over a middle distance (800m, 1,500m), or really put your endurance to the test (5,000m, marathon), there’s an exciting challenge for you in wheelchair racing.

  • Seated Throws Overview

    Do you want to showcase your strength? Like throwing far? Seated Throws is the sport for you!

     

    The newest of BCWSA’s sports, we’ve been offering Seated Throws since 2015 and are always looking for new participants to give the sport a try!

     

    Seated throwers can compete in several exciting disciplines including shot put, discus, javelin, and club throw (the Para Athletics equivalent of hammer throw for athletes with significant impairment in their upper and lower limbs).

    • Equipment

    • Wheelchair Racing

    • Wheelchair Racers compete in specialized racing chairs designed for speed and acceleration They have two large wheels in the back, and one smaller wheel in the front. A small device on the front called a compensator assists with steering and turns. Racers also use racing gloves to both protect their hands and maximize their contact on the wheel in their push.

       

      For safety, athletes also wear helmets when racing as collisions may occur between competitors.

       

      Athletes may compete sitting or kneeling in their racing chair depending on their preference and function.

    • Equipment

    • Seated Throws

    • Seated Throwers throw from specialized throwing frames. Throwers can also use a variety of strapping devices to keep them tight to the frame.

       

      Most throwing frames also include a post on the non-throwing side which athletes may use for added leverage, balance, and stability when throwing.

       

      The weight of the implements (shot, javelin, discus) can differ depending on the thrower’s gender and classification.

       

      Throwing frames are available through BCWSA’s Wheelchair Loan Program.

    • Learn More

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