Athlete Pathway

NEW TO SNOWBOARDING?

Start with a local adaptive CADS club to help you take your first turns on a snowboard and discover what’s next in Para Snowboarding!

Then, if the thirst for competition is calling you, explore the pathway to Learn, Train & Win below:

1. Find a Coach

We’ll connect you with a certified coach based on your location.

2. Learn to Train

On-Snow Evaluation : A half or full day with a coach to assess skills and potential
Join a Club : Train with a local club to build your fundamentals
First Competition : Enter Provincial Cups within your first training season

3. Get Classified

Ready to go further? We'll guide you through the classification process to be eligible to compete in next below Para competition levels.

*Find full details on Classification System below. 

4. Train to Compete

Start racing at the Continental (NORAM, ASIA, EUROPA CUPS) level
Focus on building technical, tactical, and physical performance with your coach.

5. Learn to Win

The transition between national & International Level
Athletes must have 100 FIS points and meet the criteria to enter the World Cup level.

6. NextGen

Join Canada's development team (based on Canada Snowboard criteria) to prepare for the National Team.

7. Train to Win

With your coach, this stage focus on the preservation of high quality and consistent performances to win at the international stage.

8. National Team

Join Canada National Team by meeting the selection criteria to officially represent Canada on the International circuit.

Paralympic Games

Represent Canada at the Paralympic Games

No matter where you begin, we’re here to support your journey

Start today – Contact us at para@canadasnowboard.ca or complete the
Athlete Classification Form to start your journey!

*Explore the detailed pathway below : 

CLASSIFICATION

The purpose of the Paralympic classification system is to minimize the impact of impairment on sport performance and to ensure the success of an athlete is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability, and mental focus - the same factors that determine the success of able body.

ELIGIBLE IMPAIRMENT FOR PARA SNOWBOARD

Eligible to officially compete in FIS sanctioned competitions and the Paralympic Winter Games. All athletes in Para Snowboard have one or more of the following impairments:

• Impaired Muscle Power : either reduces or no ability to voluntarily contract muscles.
• Limb Deficiency : total or partial absence of bones or joints
• Leg Length Difference : difference in the length of their legs from trauma or growth disturbance
• Hypertonia : increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch
• Ataxia : uncoordinated movements caused by central nervous system damage.
• Athetosis : continual slow involuntary movements.
• Impaired passive range of movement : restriction or lack of passive movement in joints

SPORT CLASS MINIMUM CRITERIA

Eligible athletes in Para Snowboard are grouped into the three following sport classes established by the minimum criteria illustrated below : 

SB-LL1 : Significant impairment in one leg, or a significant combined impairment in two legs, spinal cord injury, impaired muscle power.

SB-LL2 : Impairment in one or two legs with less activity limitation, spinal cord injury, impaired muscle power in one leg.

SB-UL : Limb deficiency, impaired muscle power, passive range of movement, hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis of the upper limb (s).

To learn more on Paralympic Classification – Find more info on FIS or free interactive online course provided by IPC.