Adaptive Sports Association
Website
Organization Location
463 Turner Drive #105 Durango, CO 81303
Description
HISTORY AT ASA
Each season, Adaptive Sports Association’s history has been marked by inspiration, perspiration, dedication and an enduring faith that each new year will bring new possibilities and continued success.
Dave Spencer, the driving force behind our adaptive sports foundation, lost a leg to cancer while in college in Wisconsin. He came to Purgatory through a ski magazine advertisement after returning to skiing as part of his rehabilitation program.
He secured a part-time position with the area’s ski school. With the strong encouragement of his first adaptive student who had an amputated leg and her husband, Spencer began dreaming of a full-fledged ski program for people with disabilities.
Dave joined forces with Joe Wilson, a veteran ski instructor in traditional ski school, who was managing a small program at Purgatory assisting blind skiers who came to the resort- a major turning point for our organization. Unfortunately in 1986, Spencer passed away and the old log cabin was named the Dave Spencer Center in his honor. As Spencer liked to say,
As the years rolled by, Purgatory Ski Area became Durango Mountain Resort, then changed back to Purgatory Ski Area, and the Durango/Purgatory Handicapped Sports Association became the Adaptive Sports Association. The old log cabin is still in use, but has received a lot of upgrades including an expansion of the building. Rest assured, the warm family atmosphere has not and will not change.
In 1998, a summer program was added just as Spencer had hoped. Activities currently include: rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, canoeing, bicycling and overnight camping. After a quarter of a century, ASA continues to have alliances with numerous special groups offering scholarships and grant support. The immediate past has seen increased participation by veterans supported by the Wounded Warrior Project and generous individuals. ASA also provides sport and recreation activities for special education classes within the local school districts and continues to train Special Olympics athletes during the winter months.
Individual, small business, corporate and group support are remarkable for a community the size of Durango (pop. 18,500 as of 2016). See our sponsors here.
MISSION
The Mission of Adaptive Sports Association (ASA) is to provide outdoor, sport and recreational experiences for people with disabilities.
Adaptive Sports Association’s programs help to enrich and transform the lives of people with disabilities through sports and recreation. By working with participants to overcome physical and cognitive challenges in a supportive environment, ASA helps participants explore possibilities.
Through sports and recreation, participants meet positive role models, increase socialization skills, improve physical fitness and combat depression. Personalities blossom and self-esteem soars as our students challenge themselves physically and emotionally and experience success.
Through the use of state-of-the-art adaptive sports equipment, ASA is able to offer its services to individuals with every type of disability. Over 50 ASA ski and snowboard instructors are nationally certified through Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI). ASA is also a member of Move United. Quality instruction and safety are primary concerns of ASA.
STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
At Adaptive Sports Association, our dedicated staff and Board of Directors allows us to provide outstanding adaptive sports programs.
ANN MARIE BERESFORD
Executive Director
[email protected]Ann Marie came to ASA as an intern in the fall of 2006 after working at a summer camp for people with disabilities. She has worked at ASA as a volunteer, an intern, a staff instructor, and as the program director. She is a commercial raft guide, a swift water rescue technician, has her wilderness first responder certification, and is a Leave No Trace Trainer. Her favorite days at ASA are when she is behind the oars of a raft or on a chairlift with participants and volunteers. When she is not at work, she can be found making snow angels, playing in the mountains with her husband and daughter, and chasing after their dog.
RACHEL HUGGINS
Program Director
[email protected]Rachel graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2021 with a Masters of Science in Sport and Recreation Management with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. She held an internship at Higher Ground in Sun Valley, Idaho working in their Veterans Program. Rachel joined ASA in 2022 from Indianapolis, Indiana, where she worked as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities . Prior to obtaining her Masters, Rachel served 10 years in the U.S. Army. She enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her dog hiking, backpacking, and paddle boarding.
WILL SMALL
Program Manager
[email protected]Hailing from Oregon originally, Will has traveled far and wide including places like New Zealand, South America, Southeast Asia, and more. When in the United States, he has been working summers as a Fly Fishing guide on the Salmon River and spending winters in Southwest Colorado. He is now here to stay and is stoked to continue the adventure with the ASA team! Some credentials include: BA in Business and Leadership from the University of Puget Sound, Swiftwater Safety Technician, Avalanche 1, and Wilderness First Responder.
KENDALL JANSEN
Program Coordinator
[email protected]Kendall came to Durango from Hadley Massachusetts and began working for ASA in the summer of 2023. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in 2021 at Bucknell University, where she studied Education and specialized in student support services. Kendall is Wilderness First Responder certified and a certified snowboard instructor through the American Association of Snowboard Instructors. When not at work, you can find Kendall spending her time in the mountains on a snowboard as well as exploring all that the Durango area has to offer with her dog.
ANNIE DURYEA
Program Coordinator
[email protected]Annie joined the ASA team in January 2024, shortly following her work as a Logistics Coordinator in Massachusetts, where she planned backpacking trips for students all over the world. As a Crested Butte, Colorado native, Annie returned to the Mountain West to pursue her dream in adaptive recreation. In her free time, you are bound to see her on a bike or on skis, breathing in the fresh air. Annie is eager to support participants and work with our wonderful volunteers to open the outdoors to everyone and create life-changing adventures!
STEFAN ROZANSKI
Training Coordinator
[email protected]Stefan moved to Durango in 2015 from Havertown, PA. He graduated from Fort Lewis College with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration. Stefan joined the ASA team in the winter of 2018-19 as an intern, got hired the next year as a Staff Instructor, and now is fulfilling the role of Training Coordinator. Over his years at ASA, Stefan has obtained a PSIA Alpine Level 1 Certification as well as PSIA VI/Cog Adaptive Level 1 certification. You can find Stefan mountain biking, skiing, or watching his favorite Philadelphia Sports team during his free time. He is eager to continue pursuing training opportunities and sharing that knowledge with our great team of volunteers and staff
JOIN THE ASA TEAM!!
ASA is a non-profit in Durango, CO dedicated to providing outdoor, sport, and recreational experiences for people with disabilities. Our team members are passionate about providing quality programs and providing equitable access to the outdoors. When you visit our new warehouse and office space in Bodo or our mountain office at Purgatory Resort, you will find our team working in a casual but fast-paced environment.
Open Positions
If you are interested in joining the ASA team, please email your resume and cover letter to Rachel Huggins at [email protected].
Internship Opportunities
ASA offers seasonal internship opportunities both paid and unpaid. If interested in adapted recreation and working with individuals with disabilities, our organization will provide a unique environment to develop your skills.Recreational Skills: Intern candidates should have some experience in skiing, snowboarding, rafting, cycling, mountain biking, and canoeing/kayaking/stand up paddle boarding.
Ideal Candidate: We are seeking individuals who are highly motivated, organized, have exceptional verbal and written communication skills and have a passion for working with individuals with disabilities. For more info, see the Intern Description.
Apply: If you are interested in interning with ASA, please email your letter of interest and resume to Rachel Huggins at [email protected], please be sure to specify what season you are most interested.
Contact
Contact email - [email protected]
Phone - 970-259-0374
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adaptivesportsassociation/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/adaptivesportsassociation
Upcoming events
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- Indoor Rock Climbing
Past events
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- Winter Kick Off Party!
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- Returning Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- New Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- Returning Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- Returning Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- New Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- Returning Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- Indoor Rock Climbing
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- New Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- Returning Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- New Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- Returning Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- New Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- Returning Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- New Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- Returning Volunteer Winter Orientation
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- 2024 BIRDIE FEST
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- Moab Capstone
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- Canoe / Kayak / SUP
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- Day at the Lake
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- ASA_PHW Veterans Fly Fish trip
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- Morning Rafting
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- Indoor Rock Climbing
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- Offsite Cycling- Heritage Rail Trail
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- 2024 Dave Spencer Classic