The Cinco De Mayo Ride and Walk scheduled for May 3 will move to September 2020.
We are doing this based upon recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We will be monitoring the situation closely and we will update the site soon with our new September date.
Our Cinco de Mayo website will stay open, including the ability to register and raise funds.
The Ride and Walk benefits all PCAS programs, allowing us to continue offering competitive and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities in the greater Delaware Valley. Each year, the event expands as community interest grows. Our Cinco de Mayo Ride and Walk is the region's premier event that opens the world of sports to people with disabilities.
Here are 5 ways you can get involved right now!
Register to ride or walk: Pre-registration ends April 30th, but you can still register the day of the event.
Form a team: You can fundraise as an individual, but it is more fun as a team. You can either join a team by invitation, or easily create your own, on the Cinco de Mayo website. Encourage your friends and family to join you. Keep your teammates motivated and in the loop. Follow the scoreboard to see how your team stacks up against the competition. Working as a team is fun, and you can feel proud to support athletics for people of all abilities.
Start your own Facebook Donation Page: Many people are happy to donate when they see the good things that PCAS is doing.
Be a sponsor: Visit CDM for sponsorship opportunities or contact Meg Jones.
Volunteer: Numerous volunteer opportunities are available from pre-event preparations through the day of the event.
To register or to learn more about opportunities for donations for the Cinco de Mayo Ride and Walk, visit CDM. It’s going to be a great bike ride and walk - we look forward to seeing you there!
(Contributor: Irene McKnight)
PCAS PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Will Chernets
Will Chernets is a confident 15-year-old high school sophomore who loves the excitement that adaptive sports offer. In addition to school, Will maintains a busy schedule of biking, rowing, basketball and sled hockey.
Will (left), out on the river during a race
Being part of PCAS’ Philadelphia Adaptive Rowing program has allowed Will to meet new friends and has pushed him to expand his athletic capabilities.
With just two years of rowing to his credit, Will Chernets is making his mark and winning races. Will said he was nervous the first time he rowed, but you would never know it to see his grace and skill. He has medaled twice in the BAYADA Regatta, and in October, Will and his partner received the Bronze Medal in the 2-1/2 mile Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, an astonishing achievement for a novice racing against more senior competitors. There is no stopping Will!
“Learning to row has definitely had a positive impact on my life,” Will says, and he encourages others to try. “It’s worth taking a shot – you might like it!”
Will credits adaptive rowing with improving his communication and problem-solving skills as well, simply by being part of a team.
With his increased skills, Will’s excitement about rowing has grown, and so has his competitive spirit. But rowing isn’t the only area in which Will is expecting future success. Will also enjoys math and science, and hopes one day to have a career in the biomedical field. With his dedication and positive attitude, there is no limit to his future success.
In Will’s case, and in the lives of so many others, the power of adaptive sports cannot be overstated.
(Contributor: Andrea Pampaloni)
PCAS PROGRAMS
Indoor Rowing
Our rowing and cycling equipment has been in storage for the winter, but that has not prevented our athletes from remaining active. Since January 10th, PCAS athletes and volunteers have taken part in our indoor rowing program every Monday and Wednesday evening at the St. Joseph’s University boathouse.
About 15 years ago, PCAS identified the need for an off-season program for athletes who wanted to train for the national team or for upcoming races. Our program has grown to accommodate up to 30 participants and is open to all PCAS athletes and volunteers. The program lasts from 6:00PM to 7:00PM on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and was offered this year for the ten weeks between January 10th and March 11th.
Indoor rowing replaces the boat with an ergometer, a stationary rowing machine that allows you to train when you don't have the opportunity to be on the water. Our program adapts equipment for athletes with a variety of abilities. Stationary seats can be securely attached to the erg for athletes who have limited use of their legs, allowing them to row while seated on the machine. Hand grips and waist and chest straps are also available to adapt the equipment to the needs of the participant. If transferring out of a wheelchair is challenging for someone, the erg can be set up to row directly from a wheelchair.
This year, rowing coaches Liz Euiler and Lisa Boron provided a variety of short, high-intensity workouts and long-distance workouts during the bi-weekly sessions. They apply their coaching skills to provide helpful tips for improving your rowing technique.
Each athlete’s progress is assessed using the BAYADA Regatta distances, with 2,000 meters being the typical measurement. Sessions usually last one hour, including warm up and cool down time.
Indoor rowing is ideal for athletes and volunteers interested in off-season training to prepare for outdoor rowing in May. This program is especially beneficial for experienced rowers who need to refine their skills, and for new rowers to learn proper technique before they get on the water.
Make plans for next January. We would love to have you join us.
(Contributor: Craig Rittase)
Upcoming Events
PLEASE NOTE:
Pending further notice, all programs are paused.
Listed below is our anticipated schedule once the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania lifts the current restrictions.
TEXT: Join PCAS Update
TO: 888-535-2276
To keep updated with important PCAS schedule changes.
Registration required for all events to allow us to contact participants in case the event is postponed or cancelled.
PCAS Garden and Boathouse Spring Cleaning
Wednesday, April 22nd Earth Day, 11:00AM – dusk *weather permitting
Thursday, May 14th Love Your Park Week, 11:00AM – dusk
PAR Boathouse, 1233 Martin Luther King Dr., Philadelphia PA
Contact Linda Artur to register or for more information.
PAR Rowing Volunteer Training and Returning Volunteer Pre-Season Practice
Mark your calendar and tell friends about the start of the rowing season with our annual volunteer training and returning volunteer training sessions.
Tue, April 28th; Wed, April 29th; Tue, May 5th; and Wed, May 6th. 5:30 PM start.
PAR Boathouse, 1233 Martin Luther King Dr., Philadelphia PA
Email Lynn McGillin with questions.
Rowing Season Starts Monday, May 11th
Monday through Thursday, 5:30 pm
PAR Boathouse, 1233 Martin Luther King Dr., Philadelphia PA
Contact Judy Morrison for more information
PCAS Chester County Cycling – Volunteer Training Day
Sunday April 5th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Exton Park, 140 Church Farm Lane, Exton, PA 19341
This important training is recommended for all volunteers, new and returning.
Contact PCAS Chester County Cycling
PCAS Chester County Cycling
Sundays 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Exton Park, 140 Church Farm Lane, Exton, PA 19341
Runs weekly, April 19th through October.
Contact PCAS Chester County Cycling
USRowing and Classifier Training
April 18th and 19th, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lloyd Hall Recreation Center, 1 Boathouse Row Philadelphia, PA
Details and registration for the event can be found via this link USRowing Classifier Training.
Contact Jeff McGinnis for more information.
PCAS Philadelphia Cycling
Saturdays, 10 am – 1 pm
PAR Boathouse, 1233 Martin Luther King Drive, Philadelphia.
Runs weekly, May through October.
Contact Judy Morrison
Kayaking – Water safety evaluation and training
West Chester YMCA
Date: TBD - stay tuned!
Contact Judy Morrison
Youth Track and Field
West Chester
Starting in April
Contact Darla Clayton to sign up or for more information
Adaptive Climbing
Second Wednesday of the month, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Gravity Vault, 175 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA
All experience levels, abilities and ages are welcome.
Contact Pat Bost for more information.
USRowing Classifier Training
April session postponed to later date.
Contact Jeff McGinnis for more information.
2020 National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic
September 20th - 25th
San Diego, CA
Applications are now open for veterans interested in participating in the 2020 National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic. Hosted by VA San Diego Healthcare System, the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic offers adventure sports and recreational activities such as sailing, surfing, kayaking, and cycling for veterans with disabilities. Register here.
