IN THE NEWS
Annual PAR Boathouse Spring Clean-up
Saturday, March 25th at 9am - 2pm
Your help is appreciated for any amount of time during those hours.
Please join us for our annual boathouse and grounds clean-up. We will be sweeping, raking, pressure-washing, cleaning boats and rigging, and organizing our adaptive gear.
The clean-up prepares us for the April opening of Philadelphia Adapted Cycling and the start of Philadelphia Adaptive Rowing in May.
Volunteers have come from around the region, including Boathouse Row athletes and staff, volunteers from organizations such as the Warrington Rotary Club and Women of the Row, as well as students from local high schools and universities.
Philadelphia has a long tradition of community engagement in spring cleanups. This annual event is a time for re-connecting with old friends after the winter break, and a chance for meeting new ones.
Our boathouse is located on the banks of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, 0.4 miles below the Montgomery Drive exit of the Schuylkill Expressway.
SATURDAY, MARCH 25TH
9AM - 2PM
Address:
1233 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Please join us! The rowers and cyclists from all of our adapted sports programs rely upon the generosity of our volunteers.
Use this link to complete the sign up and waivers.
PROGRAM NEWS
CYCLING
Philadelphia Center for Adapted Sports has two cycling venues -- Philadelphia and Chester County. Both programs run from April through October.
Philadelphia Cycling
PCAS Philadelphia Cycling is set along the Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park, a beautiful backdrop to a day of riding and camaraderie. On Saturday mornings, riders can cycle along Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive between Sweet Briar and Falls Bridge, or take the eight mile loop crossing the Falls Bridge, passing by the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
PCAS cyclist in Philadelphia Triathlon
Chester County Cycling
Our Chester County Cycling is set on the Chester Valley Trail at the Exton Park on Sunday afternoons. The scenic trail offers flat, paved terrain that is ideal for recreational riders and offers various riding distances. For details on the trail, see the official site at chesco.org.
PCAS cyclist getting ready for Philadelphia Open Street Ride
For those who have a more competitive nature, PCAS riders can also participate in non-PCAS rides and race events throughout the season.
PCAS provides access to practically all types and configurations of hand-cycles and bikes, and can adapt them to meet almost any rider's need.
Our volunteers ensure everyone gets out for a ride, whether you are a long time participant, or new to the program.
New athletes and volunteers are always welcome.
We strive for a fun ride and a good time. Please come out and join us!
Contact Judy Morrison for more information and to register.
PCAS PEOPLE - Volunteer SPOTLIGHT
Erich Odenweller
Erich Odenweller started volunteering with the PCAS Adaptive Ski program in 2022, having learned about the program from a coworker. Erich was immediately hooked.
Erich Odenweller
An avid skier who is passionate about volunteering, and believing that nothing is impossible, Erich found the adaptive ski program to be a perfect fit. He enjoys the sense of community that is fostered within the adaptive ski program, and loves interacting with students of different experience levels and backgrounds in the weekly ski sessions.
Erich says his favorite memory from this ski season is of a bi-ski lesson he joined as an assistant instructor. Having never skied before, this student told of the rollercoaster of emotions experienced during the lesson, from fear of the lift, to pure joy of skiing down the hill. At the end of the lesson, the mother asked her child how it went and was met with a very positive response.
When the lead instructor told her that she could learn how to operate the bi-skis herself and be able to ski with her child, both mother and student were overjoyed. For Erich, that was a memorable and impactful moment, and it further solidified his passion for this program.
We all thank you, Erich, for your time and commitment to the members of our Adaptive Ski Program.
(Contributor: Macy Oteri)
