Wounded Warrior Team at Speed in 2006 Rochester River Challenge
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Rochester River Challenge

September 19, 2009

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DS/USA LogoOur Mission:

"To provide the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to gain confidence and dignity through participation in paddle sports, recreation, and related educational programs."

A Chapter of Disabled Sports USA

News and Events

Halifax, Nova Scotia -- August 12-16, 2009
A note from Jan Whitaker, President of Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana, Inc., upon her return to Rochester NY from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Aloha, I just returned home from 10 days in Halifax, Nova Scotia where I had the pleasure of serving as the first United States outrigger canoe coach for the International Canoe Federation World Sprints - PaddleAbility Races. I am proud to report that Augusto “Goose Perez (CAOO member) and Tami Hetke from California won a gold medal in the first outrigger canoe race in ICF history; this is a huge break-through in our march to have outrigger canoeing in Paralympic Games in 2016. Rebecca Lloyd and Mark Dunford, a veteran from the VA WNY Healthcare System won a silver medal in the K-2 race! Rob Brown, a Wounded Warrior from Washington., D.C. won a bronze in the men’s K-1 and Tammy Jopson took a fourth out of seven kayaks. Rebecca, Mark and Tammy trained for the kayak events under the CAOO banner. It would be great if anyone had any ideas about how we could obtain funds to purchase the K-1 and K-2 so they could stay in Rochester. The K-2 is the only one currently in the United States; it was designed earlier this year specifically for the ICF PaddleAbility races.

Congratulations to all the participants of the 2009 ICF World Sprints - Well Done!

 

Halifax, Nova Scotia -- August 12-16, 2009
Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana, Inc. paddlers selected to the United States Canoe and Kayak teams competing in International Canoe Federation World Championship PaddleAbility Races

The following PaddleAbility paddlers have been selected to the USA Canoe/Kayak team representing the United States in the 2009 International Canoe Federation World Championships in Nova Scotia August 12-16, 2009. Paddlers will compete in 200-meter flat water sprint races. Races for paddlers with disabilities as full-medal world championship events are included for the first time in the history of ICF Championships.

K-1 Man:  Army Sgt. Rob Brown, a Wounded Warrior from Washington, D.C.

K-1 Woman: Tammy Jopson from Rochester, NY

K-2 Mixed:  Mark Dunford, a veteran from Buffalo

and Rebecca Lloyd from Lima, NY

OC-2 Mixed: Augusto Perez from East Syracuse

and Tami Hetke from Boulder Creek, California

More information and photos are available here.

Note : OC-2 refers to tandem outrigger canoe.

Rochester, NY -- Saturday September 19th 2009

Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana, Inc. is proud to present the 13th Annual Rochester River Challenge on Saturday September 19, 2009. An inclusive community event and a Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project Event. Wounded Warriors  will be invited to participate in the outrigger canoe sprint races and an all-expense paid weekend of activities in Western New York.

More details available here.

Wounded Warriors and Disabled Sports Project Logo

Sponsors who wish to support the WWDSP visit may send donations to:

Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana, Inc.

560 Shore Drive

West Henrietta, New York, 14586.

 

Rancho Cordova, California -- August 1 - 9, 2008

CAOO Members and their Teammates on East Coast Outrigger Racing Association’s International Va’a Federation World Sprint Adaptive Paddling Team, Medal in 2008 IVF World Sprints in Sacramento, California

Congratulations to all Adaptive Paddlers from California, ECORA, England, Germany, Hawaii, Italy and New Zealand who competed in the 2008 Internal Va’a Federation World Sprints. 2008 was a historical year for outrigger canoe paddlers with physical disabilities. For the first time in the history of the sport, races in the V12, V6 and V1 divisions for Adaptive Paddlers were offered as world championships events. CAOO members, Sue Beck, Tammy Jopson and Augusto Perez, members of East Coast Outrigger Racing Association ‘s twelve-person team, earned two silver medals and one bronze medal in the team events and one gold medal in the solo race. Team ECORA included veterans Dan Gilyeat, Joshua Stein, Rosemary Salak and Matt Profitt, who had previously competed in the Rochester River Challenge.

 A classification system was used to evaluate the functional ability of paddlers prior to the races and a maximum number of team points was established to ensure fair and equitable competition. Members of the IVF Classification Panel included John Court from England, Dr. Robert Durkin from Hawaii, Jill Frank, a physical therapist/sports classifier from Rochester, Aka Hemmings from Hawaii, and Jan Whitaker.

The next IVF World Championships will be held in 2010 in the French Republic of New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific. For information, contact Jan Whitaker, President of Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana, Inc.

V6 Team Race V1 Goal Medal Race
V6 team photo - ECORA team (center canoe) V1 Photo; Augusto “Goose” Perez in canoe #2 earns a gold medal in the V1 500-meter race


2008 International Va'a (Outrigger Canoe) Federation World Sprints results. Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana members and friends excel individually and as members of the ECORA team at this international competition. Full results are available here.

Washington, D.C. -- June 3, 2008
Janet Whitaker, President of Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana receives the 2008 American Patriot Award from the National Defense Foundation for her current efforts to help veterans with disabilities.

NCOA 2008 Patriot Award Presentation Photo

Ms. Whitaker receives the 2008 American Patriot Award present by Mr. H. Gene Overstreet, National Commander, Non Commissioned Officers Association for "efforts and motivation (that) have allowed America's Wounded Warriors and countless other disabled citizens to overcome personal physical limitations to participate in recreational and competitive water sports activities. With profound appreciation and respect." The plaque's inscription reads in-part "This award recognizes sustained achievement in the care and tendering of men and women who serve, or have served, in the Uniformed Services of the United States of America and their survivors. Continuing the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln: To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan."

More information is available here.

Buffalo, NY -- June 23, 2008

Vets handle an Outrigger on Tonawanda Creek

The Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System and Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana coordinate an opportunity for vets to gain confidence and dignity while participating in an activity with fellow veterans, family members and VA staffers.            Photo and more information available here.

Rochester, NY -- September 15, 2007

For the 11th consecutive year the Rochester River Challenge has been a successful, inclusive community event. This year with over 300 athletes plus

their families, supporters, volunteers, spectators and sponsors.

Congratulations to all the participants!

 Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana is proud to have produced the River Challenge in partnership with so very many enthusiastic sponsors, supporters, volunteers and most especially, the athletes. Thank you all!

We are always glad to hear from everyone about their experiences at the River Challenge. If you have a comment please send an email to a member of

Cape Ability's Board of Directors.

The race results are available! You can get them here.

We look forward to seeing you again soon and especially at next years

Rochester River Challenge!

  Rochester, NY -- October 3, 2006

Heritage Christian Services presented their 2006 Community Partner Award to Jan Whitaker and Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana. A photo plaque was presented to Jan at the Annual Heritage Christian Services Dinner on October 3, 2006.

Heritage Christian Services Logo

 

The plaque's inscription reads:

2006

Community Partner Award

Presented to

Jan Whitaker

Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana, Inc.

For your outstanding dedication to people with developmental disabilities.

Thank You