Kansas City Fundraiser Fetches Over $2,100 for Paradox Sports
It all started with a chance encounter with Malcolm Daly on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado. Two high school students, Elizabeth and Rebecca Chambers, pitched a Paradox Sports fundraising idea to Malcolm, who was the Executive Director of Paradox Sports. A quick phone call to family friend/climbing artist, Jeremy Collins motivated him to provide artwork to support the venture and the project was off and running with big plans and zero funding. The lack of funding was overcome by a supportive local climbing community. Kat and Jon Whistance, owners of Ibex Climbing Gym in Blue Springs, Missouri (outside of Kansas City) were immediately excited about the idea. Kat and Jon suggested that the event be a nighttime, lights out climb. Thus was born “Shed Some Light.” The Whistances donated the use of their gym, and their exhausted but enthusiastic employees donated their time. For a suggested donation of $15 (many people gave substantially more), 60 or more people enjoyed five hours of pounding tunes, great food, wonderful raffle prizes, high energy climbing, one incredible community and solid support for a worthy cause. Over $2100 was raised for Paradox Sports.
Two days later, it was asked, “when do we start planning for next year?”
Check out a cool video from the evening HERE.
Amazing Weekend at Paradox Ice in North Conway, NH
http://www.conwaydailysun.com/featured/story/paradox021512
Paradox Sports’ Operation Amped Wins Surfer Mag’s “Agent of Change” Award.
SURFER Magazine is pleased to announce Operation Amped as the recipient of the 2011 SURFER Poll “Agent of Change” award and beneficiary of VIP table sales at this year’s SURFER Poll Awards. The award will be presented on Dec. 6 at the 41st annual event honoring the top 10 male and top five female surfers as voted on by fans, as well as the best of surfing cinematography, video performances, and more. Fans can watch the show in its entirety via a live webcast, right here at Surferpoll.com, which will air live during the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing on Oahu.
Photo by Peter Kragh courtesy of Operation Amped
The Agent of Change award recognizes an individual or organization making a difference for the betterment of the surfing community. Operation Amped will join the ranks of Dave Rastovich who received the first-ever award in 2008 for his work with Surfers for Cetaceans, Dr. Dave Jenkins in 2009 for his work with SurfAid International, and the Mauli Ola Foundation in 2010.
Operation Amped, part of Paradox Sports a nonprofit 501(c)(3), is a volunteer-run organization founded by a group of surfers in 2006 as a way to give back to those wounded while serving our country. Their mission is to share a love of the ocean with those who’ve sacrificed so much. Disabled servicemen and their families are freed of the constraints of illness and injury at Operation Amped events, and though many have never set foot in the ocean, let alone on a surfboard, with the support of the organization, everyone has fun. From Cornwall, England, to Corpus Christi, Texas, to Camp Pendleton, California, they operate their events on shoestring budgets and a lot of stoke.
Paradox Sports in the Daily Camera
Boulder’s Paradox Sports helps physically disabled excel.
Paradox Sports RockX Shelf Road
For the second time this year Paradox Sports descended on Shelf Road, defied gravity, and ROCKED Shelf Road. I would like to start with a big thank you to everyone who showed up and made this a successful event.
The emails and phone calls flying around on Wednesday as a winter storm rolled into the front range were fast and furious. The forecast was for 8 inches of snow in the Denver/Boulder area with a little less in Shelf Road. True to the forecast we got about 8 inches here and the million dollar question was whether we should go or not. After a few phone calls we learned that Cañon Cañon City got about 3 inches and the forecast was for the mid 60’s during the following days.
Shelf Road gets a lot of traffic during the colder months due to the fact that there is a lot of south facing rock allowing climbers to climb in the sun for the majority of the day. The camping is first come first serve so Malcolm Daly and I fired to Shelf Road on Thursday to secure a group site large enough to accommodate our group. WOW it was cold! When the sun when down I crawled in my sleeping bag and tried to stay warm. I really think it was less than 10 degrees that night.
On Friday the Paradox tribe started to trickle in in the early afternoon. We were able to get a couple of pitches in late in the afternoon. The range of experience was from first time climbers to very experienced. The snow was really beginning to melt and it was warming up however after the sun went down there was a pretty close huddle around the fire. Despite the fact that this would turn out to be the largest of the Paradox RockX Shelf Road events I am not sure if there were more dogs or people at the event. Samson was holding court throughout the weekend keeping the young whippersnappers in line. He literally took a stick from a couple of dogs who were fighting over it and ended the argument. It was a funny moment.
Saturday and Sunday were the crux of the event. Before I start talking about the climbing I have to say thank you to the BLM for their work with us to allow special access to the climbing. They were very generous. I would also like to say thank you to a Paradox Sports corporate sponsor, Osprey. Grace Gamble came to Shelf Road and did a great job representing this wonderful company and we can not thank them enough for their generosity. If you are in the market for a backpack take a look at an Osprey pack.
The Shelf Road area offers great climbing, mountain biking, and fishing. On Saturday most of the tribe chose to climb. We took over the Green Pillar area of Cactus cliff which offered great climbing with a fun base area to “hang.” I was truly inspired throughout the day to see athletes of all disabilities grind it out on rock. There is something about watching a person with no legs or a severe spinal injury grind it out on the rock. Sitting back and observing the masses walk past our climbing area was the real treat. Jaws were dropping as people walked by. I really believe that this is fulfillment of one aspect of the Paradox Sports mission… INSPIRATION! The day ended with a filling meal of gumbo and stir fry.
The tribe split up a bit on Sunday. Several people left early to fulfill work obligations, others climbed, and some took advantage of the great mountain biking in the Shelf Road area. We climbed in the Piggy Bank area which again provided a significant number of moderate to 5.11 climbs. As the afternoon rolled around we began to trickle out of the area. It was truly a euphoric feeling for me that this tribe had come together once again and had another amazing weekend.
I came home happy and inspired. The human spirit is amazing and I am so happy to be a part of a group of people who look at their “disadvantages” and say this will not stop me! I will defy gravity and live a life that is full and robust. I personally can not wait for the next opportunity to hang with this tribe. Speaking of that keep your eyes and ears open for our upcoming ice climbing events in North Conway, NH and Ouray, CO. More details soon!
If you would like to support Paradox Sports become a Paradox Sports Ambassador today.
Chad
Originally posted on www.chadbutrick.com
Paradox Sports athlete Craig DeMartino in the Season; episode 3
Watch Craig DeMartino in the third episode of the Season. In this 5-minute clip, Craig, a below knee amputee, climbs 5.12 and summits El Cap. So what’s holding you back?
Paradox Sports RockX Shelf Road Fall 2011
Paradox Sports is at it again. In less than two weeks the Athletes and Ambassadors of Paradox Sports will descend on the Shelf Road area for a great weekend of climbing, mountain biking and fly fishing Oct 28-30th. The cost for this weekend event is $100 and online registration is open now by clicking here . Paradox Sports will provide dinner and a campfire on Friday and Saturday nights and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. You can camp with us at Shelf Road or you can check in to one of many inexpensive hotels in Cañon City 30 minutes away. Wherever you decide to stay, we’re looking forward to seeing you at the campfire. We look forward to seeing you there!
Click here for directions to Shelf Road.
Shelf Road is a BLM-managed area that features some of the best limestone sport climbing in Colorado. In addition there is a maze of hiking and biking trials that will lead you to old mining sites, fossil beds and grand vistas. Shelf Road makes a great basecamp for those wanting to take advantage of the fine fishing on the Arkansas River and its tributaries. And for those of you who want to gamble on a slice of Colorado mining history, Cripple Creek is just 40 minutes up the scenic dirt road.
This is a self-powered event. If you plan to climb, bring your climbing gear. Biking? Bring a bike. There will be plenty of assistance, advice and mentoring available from the more experienced participants, and group gear will be available.
The Plan: Thursday Oct 27th – The local crew will arrive and secure the group campsite. We will establish the kitchen, group shelter etc. Friday Oct 28– Arrival at Shelf Road. Depending on arrival time we can Climbing, Biking, Fishing, or hanging out. Dinner will be provided. Saturday Oct 29th – Climbing, Biking, Fishing, or hanging out. Breakfast will be provided by Paradox Sports. Lunch will be the responsibility of the participant. Dinner will be provided by Paradox Sports. Sunday Oct 30th – Breakfast will be provided by Paradox Sports. Lunch will be the responsibility of the participant. More Climbing, Biking, Fishing, or hanging out. Depart when you need to.
Camping: There are no hotels at Shelf Road so we will be camping. Since the camping will be first-come, first serve, our local crew will go up there a day early and try to secure the group camping sites. If these aren’t available look for Paradox signs and directions. Bring the following: Bring a good tent (remember the wind) A sleeping bag that will keep you warm to freezing A sleeping pad. Flashlight or headlamp (better) 1 Bundle of firewood Camp chair Personal necessities: toiletries, sunscreen, hand lotion, first-aid stuff
Food and Cooking: Paradox Sports will provide dinner on Friday and Saturday night Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning. All other meals and food are your responsibility. We will have cooking facilities set up and have pot and pans available. As with any large group of uncertain lineage, however, it would be wise of you to bring a small backpacking stove and pots if you have them. In addition, be sure to bring your own: Fork, knife and spoon Plate Bowl Drinking cup Insulated cup Trash bag Cooler with ice Don’t forget snacks stuff. Cheese, sausage, crackers and Cheetos are favorites. Don’t forget personal (adult) beverages. Clothes: The weather is wild and unpredictable: it could be blazing hot and, half an hour later, it could be freezing, windy and raining. In addition, the rock is very coarse so tough and bulletproof clothes are a must. Here is our recommendation: Tough cotton shorts 2 t-shirts long-sleeve pullover top that won’t get trashed by the rock (rugby shirts used to be cool) Long pants that are tough. (Carharts are a favorite) Sun hat Beanie or warm hat Fleece jacket Down sweater Rain coat Bandana Sunglasses.
Paradox Sports Athlete Craig DeMartino in The Season
The Season Episode 2.11 is out and features Paradox Sports athlete Craig DeMartino talking about making tough choices. Let’s see…. should I stay crippled or should I become an amputee?
Thanks to Fitz Cahall for a tough but sensitive portrait of Craig.
Disabled Athletes to Climb Three Classic U.S. Peaks as part of the Biggest Peak Project in History
Shelburne, VT (September 7th, 2011) – Paradox Sports, a community of disabled athletes empowering the pursuit of a life of excellence through human-powered outdoor sports, is partnering with Mammut, The Access Fund, and Mountain Gear to promote the vision of open mountain access for all. Beginning September 16th, Paradox athletes will climb three of the most classic and coveted peaks in the US – Washington’s Mt. Baker and Utah’s Castleton Tower in September 2011 and New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast, in March 2012.
Athletes from Paradox Sports will share their vision of a future where everyone is able to pursue their dreams because they have the opportunities, support and the adaptive equipment available to do so. To celebrate the spirit of overcoming obstacles, the teams will challenge themselves in conditions from sandstone to mixed snow and ice. In partnership with the Access Fund, the national advocacy organization that keeps U.S. climbing areas open, and Mountain Gear, a valued retail partner for Mammut, the Paradox Sports athletes will climb alongside a team of International Federation of Mountain Guides/American Mountain Guides Association guides to reach the summit and expand the concepts of possibility and achievement while inspiring others.
The project is part of a global effort by the Swiss outdoor gear and apparel manufacturer Mammut Sports Group, commemorating its 150th anniversary by encouraging 150 teams to climb 150 mountains in the next twelve months. In keeping with the spirit of “Access for All”, Paradox athlete Chad Butrick of Arvada, Colorado will ascend Mt. Baker, Pete Davis of Ridgway, Colorado and Sean O’Neill of Brownfield, Maine will look to knock off Castleton Tower, and Mike Reddy from New Haven, Connecticut and Maureen Whalley of Stowe, Vermont will tackle Mt Washington.
Mammut’s “Biggest Peak Project in History” includes the three climbs in the United States, as well as 47 country organized climbs around the globe. In addition, 100 “Summit Tours” will be awarded through an online community campaign (www.mammut.ch/150years) with the winners being sent to climb a project peak with a guide and team of friends.
The 150 Peaks Project would not be possible without generous support from Crested Butte Mountain Guides (www.crestedbutteguides.com), Hilleberg Tents (www.hilleberg.com), and San Juan Mountain Guides LLC (www.ourayclimbing.com).
About the Companies:
Mammut Sports Group: Based in Seon, Switzerland, and with U.S. Headquarters in Shelburne, Vermont, Mammut is a leading manufacturer of all-season alpine gear, apparel, and footwear. For more information contact Gribbin Loring at 800.451.5127 ext. 113, or log on to: www.mammut.com. For media inquiries, contact Timmy Dow at 617.875.5553 or timmy@momentummediapr.com.
About Paradox Sports: Paradox Sports provides inspiration, opportunities and adaptive equipment to the disabled community, empowering their pursuit of a life of excellence through human-powered outdoor sports. For media inquiries, please contact info@paradoxsports.org.
About The Access Fund: The Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that keeps U.S. climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment. For general information, please call Zachary Lesch-Huie, Affiliate Director, at 303.545.6772 or via email atzachary@accessfund.org.
About Mountain Gear: Based in Spokane, Washington, Mountain Gear is a 25 year old leader in outdoor retailing as well as a valued online retail partner for Mammut. For more information, reach them at info@mountaingear.com or 800.829.2009
Paradox Sports Founder, DJ Skelton, featured in ABC News
Capt. D.J. Skelton, the Army’s most seriously wounded commander, returns to combat in Afghanistan. During recovery, Skelton completed Harvard’s Senior Executive Fellowship program, wrote a book, served as military adviser and co-founded Paradox Sports.
