ADAPTIVE ACTION SPORTS INC
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
AAS has been remarkably successful in meeting its goal of raising expectations and respect for individuals with permanent physical disabilities. In accomplishing this, it has become clear that succeeding at challenging outdoor sports is a remarkable tool for raising an individual's self-confidence and improving his/her outlook on life. Having finished another rewarding snow year, we are electing to undertake an assessment and planning effort to determine the best way for us to move forward. Perhaps, we are ready to apply what we have learned in new populations and new arenas. Whatever new directions we chart, we will maintain our philosophy that our best resources are our target population. A large portion of AAS success has resulted from the efforts, enthusiasm and loyalties that our participants have contributed to one another. Peer mentorship and camaraderie will remain a basis in our future.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Elite Paralympic Race Training
Provides elite-level training to disabled individuals who have the skills and interest to compete for a spot on the US Para-snowboard Training Team. In 2018, AAS trainees participated in 3 international Parasnowboard competitions, two of which were held in Canada and one in Dubai, UAE. Eight athletes competed in the Canadian races and five attended Dubai. Following the Canadian events, two members of the 2018 AAS team were added to the US Parasnowboard Team where they joined six AAS alumni to compete at the March 2018 Paralympics in South Korea. The new and alumni AAS riders were responsible for bringing home 7 Paralympic medals.
DEVELOPMENTAL PARASNOWBOARD TRAINING.
This AAS program focuses on providing adaptive snowboard race training for permanently disabled athletes who are interested in competing in local, regional and national races. The programs dovetails with AAS' International Snowboard Competition program. It is open to riders with skill levels ranging from novice to expert. An individual instructional plan is provided for each athlete using an assessment system based on a pipeline pyramid of skill development. Instruction is unique in that it offers training beginning in October and continuing into April. Most of the training is held at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado. Trainees are encouraged to participate in local adaptive snowboard races, progressing to include regional and national competitions. Fifteen disabled athletes participated in the 2018 AAS Developmental Training.
Where we work
External reviews
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Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Adaptive Action Sports, Inc. (AAS) is an organization of permanently disabled athletes, who credit their active and independent lifestyles to their love of, and participation in, "board sports" (primarily snow and skateboarding). Our goal has been to raise the level of expectation, and respect for, permanently disabled individuals by creating attitudinal change within both the physically disabled and non-disabled populations. To achieve this, we have provided opportunities for adaptive individuals to participate in action sports, which have been largely neglected as rehabilitative tools for disabled youth.
We have been successful at integrating physically disabled Civilians and Injured Military Personnel into our programming and are now considering expanding our target population to additionally focus on individuals with PTSD and cognitive/intellectual challenges.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our programs include events, athlete grants, camps and clinics. Our trainees and their successes are highly visible both in the media and online. Our multi-faceted strategies include:
* Training and competition activities that provide successful athletic experiences.
* Role modeling by our adaptive participants.
* Mentoring by our experienced adaptive participants of fledging adaptive athletes through interactions between the two.
* A pipeline training strategy that offers the opportunity for individuals to experience snow and skateboarding in levels geared to the first-time rider through riders who successfully compete in elite international competitions.
* Individual training plans developed to each participant's skill level and goals.
* Opportunity to travel and participate as an AAS team member in local, state, national and international events.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our organization was founded in 2005 by Amy Purdy, a double below-the-knee amputee, and Daniel Gale, an avid and accomplished snow and skate boarder. Amy is recognized throughout the world as a champion Paralympic snowboarder, a Dancing with the Stars contestant and a sought-after inspirational speaker. As Executive Director, Daniel is an internationally recognized adaptive snowboard instructor and coach. He has recruited and trained over 100 adaptive snowboarders, all of whom are visible for their own incredible achievements. Under Daniel’s leadership, AAS has achieved remarkable success as demonstrated by the list shown in the Indicator box below. Most significantly, AAS is supported by a strong Board of Directors and a loyal participant base.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
* In 2007, AAS worked with the US American Snowboard Association to establish an on-going Adaptive Division within USASA.
* In 2008, AAS hosted the first-ever Adaptive World Championship of Snowboarding.
* AAS played a prominent role in achieving recognition in 2013 of Adaptive Snowboarding as a Paralympic Sport.
* In 2014, three AAS-trained adaptive snowboarders -- two of whom brought home medals -- were members of the US Parasnowboard Team in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. These Olympics were viewed by a cumulative global audience of 2.9 billion.
* In 2015, AAS was recognized by the US Olympic Committee as the Parasnowboard Sport Club of the Year.
* In 2018, the 13-member US Parasnowboard Team -- competing at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics in South Korea -- included 8 AAS-current and graduate trainees, four of whom brought home a total of 7 medals. These Olympics were viewed by an audience of 2.02 billion.
* AAS routinely works with organizations like ESPN and Toyota to incorporate adaptive snow/skateboarding events into forums like the XGames and Dew Tour, events that draw a world-wide audience.
* In the last five years, AAS has provided an average of approximately 100 days of training and events per year to adaptive athletes.
* To date, AAS has hosted more than a dozen Parasnowboard competitions sanctioned by the International Parasnowboard Committee.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
ADAPTIVE ACTION SPORTS INC
Board of directorsas of 09/17/2019
We use a Rotating Chairmanship system. Board Officers rotate as President, Vice President, Treasurer
Geoff Feldesman
Ken Rogers
Hardcard Systems and Heeling Friends
Nick Filardo
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes