If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to play a sport blind, deaf, or in a wheelchair then today is your chance to find out with disc golf events across B.C.
From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the Playing in My Shoes clinic is being held at locations from a pop-up course at the west side of Skaha Lake Park in Penticton, Pine Park in Keremeos, and another 25 more courses across B.C.
The free community event will give people of all ages a chance not only to try out disc golf, but also try and see what it is like to play with different levels of physical levels of ability accessibility.
“Basically it’s to let players understand other people’s throwing perspectives and playing from their perspectives,” said Elaine Vickers, the president of the Penticton Disc Golf Club. “It’s all about inclusion, accessibility and celebrating different levels of ability.”
READ MORE: Keremeos central to provincial accessible disc golf event
Participants will be able to try out four different throws; one from a seated position like a wheelchair, one with the non-dominant hand, one while blindfolded and one with ear plugs, all to simulate playing from another person’s perspective.
The course in Penticton is a pop-up nine hole layout near the west parking lot of Skaha Lake Park, as the other courses in the community are less accessible with their locations and terrain.
“Skaha Lake Park would be lovely to have a permanent course, because it is so accessible,” said Vickers.”I think it’s quite rare to find land that is good for disc golf and also accessible. So we’re trying to get the city to put in something permanent here.”
The event was held for the first time in 2023 at just Pine Park in Keremeos, but this year expanded to included courses throughout the Okanagan from Vernon to Oliver and beyond to the rest of B.C.. The full list of courses that are participating can be found online at https://udisc.com/events/playing-in-my-shoes-7KS3Dd.
Keremeos’ Pine Park is the central hub for the event due to it being a fully wheelchair-accessible course.
The Playing in My Shoes clinic also coincides with the first day of Accessibility Week in Canada. The first 15 participants who don’t have a disc of their own will get to take home a disc provided by MVP Disc Sports.