A charity that introduces people with disabilities to the joy of adventure sports is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, Access Adventures has had a profound impact on the lives of thousands of individuals, working tirelessly to create a world where everyone, regardless of ability, has equal access to the transformative benefits of adventure sports.

All three founders - two Paralympians and a physiotherapist - are still running the charity, and their passion is stronger than ever.

In 2014, Jane Sowerby and Clare Williams were discussing the incredible benefits of adventure sports but recognised that, for people with disabilities, accessing these sports was nearly impossible. They decided this was unacceptable, and knew they had to take immediate action. Access Adventures was born.

Jane knows first-hand how transformative adaptive sports can be. In 2003, she sustained a life-changing spinal cord injury and had to come to terms with being permanently paralysed. At first, everything felt completely hopeless. As someone who had always loved outdoor adventure, she saw nothing but obstacles. But then, she discovered adaptive skiing and her life was transformed once again.

“Flying down the mountain at 60mph in a monoski was mind-blowing,” she says. “That pivotal moment made me absolutely fall in love with life again. The sense of freedom was unbeatable and incredibly hard to find as a wheelchair user.”

Clare, a physiotherapist specialising in spinal injury and amputation, most recently worked with injured military at Stanford Hall (formerly Headley Court). She is a strong advocate for adaptive sport as a powerful rehabilitation tool. The third founder, Tim Farr, broke his back during a ski trip in 2004. Just one year later, he was back on the slopes. Both Tim and Jane went on to compete as Paralympic alpine ski racers.

Access Adventures was registered with the Charity Commission in 2015 and offers a range of adaptive sports, including waterskiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, alpine skiing, kiting, biking and paddlesports. It will be marking its 10th birthday this summer by throwing a big party.

The impact of Access Adventures is clear from the heartfelt testimonials of those they've supported:

Troye Collins (Retford, Nottinghamshire): “For the past 10 years I’ve been suffering from severe depression. It got so bad that I tried to commit suicide. Getting involved with Access Adventures saved my life and gave me a purpose to be alive again. I’m forever grateful - thank you.”

Bethany Handley (Monmouth, Wales): “The weekend really was life-changing. Waterskiing made me feel like myself again. I feel so much more confident taking risks and trying to be independent now. It showed what’s possible and not to limit myself. Thank you so much for the opportunity.”

Himashu Khetani (Chipping Ongar, Essex): “Thank you to everyone at Access Adventures for making me feel truly 'able'. This was one of the most exciting and empowering experiences I've ever encountered.”

Access Adventures, like many small charities, is operating in a challenging environment. While remaining determined to continue providing life-changing adaptive sports for another decade, the future remains uncertain.

“We recognise the physical and mental health benefits everyone can gain from outdoor adventure sports and believe that disability should not exclude anyone from experiencing these benefits,” Jane Sowerby, says. “There is a lack of access to these types of sports as a result of the specialist equipment, facilities and instruction needed for people with disabilities. The additional costs involved are significant and often preventative.

“Access Adventures provides people with disabilities the opportunity to challenge themselves in an accessible and supportive environment with the reassurance that their additional needs can be safely accommodated. Participants develop new skills, build confidence and increase self-belief. Additionally, they’re welcomed with open arms into the most awesome, inclusive, community.”

Over the past 10 years, hundreds of volunteers have played a crucial role in delivering the charity’s services. Some are going above and beyond to help secure Access Adventures’ future for at least another decade. They’ve taken on a number of crazy challenges to raise funds.

One of Access Adventures’ most dedicated volunteers, Becky Hobbs, plans to cycle from the charity’s HQ near Staines all the way to their adaptive ski camp in France on a tandem bike. Starting at sea level she will ride to Val Thorens ski resort, the highest ski resort in Europe, which sits 2,300 metres above sea level. Along the way, she’ll be relying on the kindness and generosity of strangers to help power the pedals.

Beneficiaries have also shown their support through unique fundraising challenges. One waterski participant, Joe Evans, has Cerebral Palsy and took on a ‘1000 Hoop-a-thon’, which lasted a gruelling 11 hours! Justin Bersin swam 10km - a feat that may seem straightforward, until you learn that he has only one fully functioning limb. Gwilym Davis is pushing 100km across hilly Wales in his wheelchair. Challenging expectations of what’s possible for people with disabilities is a driving force for the Access Adventures team.

Opportunities to engage in adaptive adventure sports are incredibly limited. Access Adventures must not only navigate the challenges of the current climate but also continue to grow, enabling many more people with disabilities to rediscover their passion for life.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Photos in the Dropbox link below should be credited to Access Adventures.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/mqf2u44h299spn08flooz/ALnQh3dxSk_j_J1G2xCXJTM?rlkey=iirg7zpdtr6wr5gnuet7uvoue&st=vmnfaksy&dl=0

For further information about Access Adventures visit http://www.accessadventures.co.uk

For media enquiries, interviews or images, please contact: Jane Sowerby jane@accessadventures.co.uk 07968 012464; or Tim Farr tim@accessadventures.co.uk 07970 690197

Press release issued by British Water Ski & Wakeboard, on behalf of Access Adventures.

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