by Cheryl Price
We all know Alana
Nichols as a Paralympic basketball player and alpine skier. You’ve most
certainly watched clips of her competing in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Games, as
well as the 2010 and 2014 Winter Games. You may even recognize the 32-year-old
New Mexico native from her awesome segment on “Conan” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hngHluQe2o). If you follow her on Facebook, then you
are surely in awe of her daily adventures that span the world.
But no matter how
you’ve been introduced to Alana – be it via Internet or TV, or even in person
-- then the only fact that matters is that you’ve somehow been in the presence
of greatness. After all, Alana is the first American female athlete to win gold
medals in both summer and winter Paralympic/Olympic Games. Alana is also a
three-time ESPY Nominee. Moreover, in May of 2014, Alana was inducted into
Warner Brothers’ “Superman Hall of Heroes” in the inaugural class of real-life
heroes.
Alana’s list of
accomplishments goes beyond the highlights mentioned above, and yet Alana has
more goals she plans on achieving. She now has her sights set on a couple of
exciting water sports. Eager to find out more about these endeavors, we caught
up with Ms. Nichols to chat about her future.
CP: We all know you as
a Paralympic basketball player and alpine skier. What led you, most recently,
to venture into the world of water sports?
AN:
After the Sochi 2014 Games, I was given the opportunity by one of my
sponsors, Hilton HHonors, to take my grandmother to Hawaii. While I was there,
I learned how to surf for the first time. After catching my first wave, I was
hooked and couldn't look back! I knew I needed to find my way to the shore
and on the water more often and then found the sport of Parakayak!
CP: Please describe
for us what the following sports/activities entail for the “adventurer on
wheels”: sprint kayaking; adaptive surfing/wave skiing; paddle boarding.
AN:
Sprint kayaking: You are going to need a boat and paddle and a little ingenuity
for setting up a seat! I use my mono ski/sit-skiing bucket in the sprint
kayak, which has a velcro strap running across the hips.
Adaptive
Surfing: An "adventurer on wheels" is going to either need a
prone surfboard (to lay on your stomach on) or what’s called a "Wave ski," which
is what I use. The wave ski has a velcro "D"-ring strap
attached to it that hold your hips down to the board as you paddle into and
onto the waves with a kayak paddle. Surfing is more involved and I would highly recommend
having able-bodied support in the water with you when you are first learning.
Paddle
Boarding: Paddle Boarding involves the same set up as a wave ski but on a
different board and requires the use of a different paddle.
CP: For those who have
difficulty with dexterity and balance, what accommodations have you seen that
help make these water sports a possibility?
AN: Most quadriplegics do what’s called
prone surfing, where they lay on the surf board and are either pushed into the wave or an able-bodied person can ride tandem with them. Also
remember, where there is a will, there is a way. If a quad wanted to get on a
paddle board, we can make it happen! There’s an amazing organization, for
example, Life Rolls On (www.liferollson.org), dedicated to getting everyone out
there! LFO’s founder is former pro surfer Jesse Billauer, who broke his neck
and is now surfing prone.
CP: Do you have a
favorite of these water sports and, if so, why?
AN:
Surfing is absolutely my favorite! I am in love with “Momma Ocean” and how the
waves are never the same…always changing, always creating!
CP: Has there been a
challenge that you didn't expect in this new world of sports?
AN: I
guess that I didn't realize how bad the salt water was going to be on my
wheelchair! I have rusty front casters now, and I sound like a shopping
cart. It’s so worth it, for the time being, but I will soon be getting a
beach chair!
CP: Has water sports,
in your opinion and experience, become more available to wheelchair-users in
recent years and, if so, how?
AN:
I think water sports are more accessible now because of awareness. More
and more people are getting out in the water and showing others how it’s done.
I think people are becoming more and more aware of what’s possible and getting
more creative with how to get out there.
CP: Do you have advice
for those hesitant to try water sports?
AN: The ocean is something to be
revered and respected, but she is also loving and inviting. Learn how to swim!!!
You can and will be confident in the water one day, and it can be so freeing!
If you’re a para, you may consider getting a pair of wetsuit pants. These pants
help your legs float, which is very important if you find your legs tend to
sink. Also, if possible, get involved with the right group of people who can
teach you how to be safe and strong in the water. Be resourceful and find
something that works for you.
CP: What
resources/organizations/individuals helped you get involved?
AN: The San Diego Canoe and Kayak Club
is great for ParaKayak (www.sdckt.net). The Challenged Athletes Foundation
based out of California is amazing for all sports, but also has a surfing
clinic on Thursdays for wounded warriors and folks with disabilities
(www.challengedathletes.org). AccesSurf based out of Honolulu, Hawaii is where I
learned how to surf and has an amazing group of people (www.accessurf.org)! Another great
organization with grants for all sports including water sports is the HighFives
Foundation (www.highfivesfoundation.org).
CP: Do you have a favorite body of water/destination?
AN: My favorite body of water so far has to be the Pacific Ocean, specifically off the coast of the Hawaiian islands. I have yet to really travel the ocean, though….I dream of seeing some of the most amazing blue water in the world!
CP: What are your plans for the future?
AN: I hope to and dream of developing
the sport of Adaptive Surfing. It’s such a passion of mine and I want to see
more and more people with disabilities out in the water. I’m thrilled to announce that I'll be competing and making history in
the first-ever World Adaptive Surfing Championship this September 24 -27 at La Jolla Shores! Check
out the website for more details: https://www.isasurf. org/events/isa-world-adaptive- surfing-championship/.
Regarding Sprint Kayaking, my hope and goal is to make it to the 2016 Rio De
Janeiro Paralympic Games.
CP: Are you continuing
with your other non-water sports? Your fans need to know :)
AN:
I am continuing with skiing and play basketball for fun nowadays. I am
incredibly blessed to do the sports I do and have fun doing them :)
CP: Is there anything
else you want to add?
AN:
If you have any questions, please feel free to find me on FB, Instagram, and
twitter and ask away! www.facebook.com/alanajanenichols,
@alanathejane on instagram and @alananichols21 on twitter. Learn more about adaptive water sports in the video below...and you'll find me there too!
jordan shoes
ReplyDeleteprada sunglasses
true religion outlet
coach outlet
louis vuitton outlet
coach outlet
coach factory outlet
abercrombie store new york
jeremy scott adidas
gucci outlet
louis vuitton
soccer jerseys
coach outlet store online
timberland outlet
marc jacobs
abercrombie and fitch outlet
louis vuitton
christian louboutin shoes
chanel bags
kids lebron james shoes
coach bags
burberry handbags
gucci handbags
adidas outlet store
hollister outlet
louboutin
chanel bags
polo outlet
oakley glasses
cheap toms shoes
mont blanc mountain
true religion outlet
fake oakleys
gucci outlet
abercrombie store
cheap oakleys
20150710xiong
tory burch outlet
ReplyDeleteed hardy t-shirts
instyler ionic styler
michael kors outlet
christian louboutin outlet
nike trainers
foamposite gold
discount oakley sunglasses
swarovski jewelry
abercrombie
cheap jordans
gucci shoes
insanity workout
the north face uk
burberry outlet
mac makeup
michael kors handbags
kate spade outlet
lebron shoes
oakley sunglasses canada
louis vuitton outlet
prada shoes
longchamp handbags
mcm handbags
prada outlet
five fingers shoes
coach outlet
nba jerseys
green bay packers jerseys
karen millen dresses
michael kors outlet online
tiffany and co
iphone 6 plus cases
ray ban sunglasses
iphone 6 cases
ghd
salvatore ferragamo
soccer shoes
miami heat jersey
calvin klein outlet
cai2015720