Many of these events are open to all persons with disabilities. Locations and dates may change over time. Contact the person or phone number at the end of each description to register and/or ascertain the location and schedule.
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Miami
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Rolex-Miami Olympic Class Regatta pits able-bodied sailors against disabled sailors who are trying to qualify for the Paralympic Games; teams are rated to equalize physical abilities. Sailors compete in Sonar 23', 3-person keelboats and 2.4-meter, 1-person keelboats. Held at several sailing centers on Biscayne Bay. (Katie Richardson 401-683-0800) |
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Tampa Bay |
Coveen International Quad Rugby Tournament is the largest rugby tournament before nationals involving the 8 strongest US teams and 4 strongest international teams. Fri-Sun. Venue varies. (Justin Stark 813-719-6151) |
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W Palm Beach |
Knock & Roll Quad Rugby Tournament, sponsored by Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department, features the top 8 Division 2 teams from around the country. Fri-Sun. Venue varies. (John Bishop 561-964-1712; Parks Dept 561-963-7379) |
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Miami |
Mid-Winter International Regatta, sponsored by Shake-A-Leg and open to the public, features teams of 1 able-bodied and 2 disabled sailors in 20' boats. Races are available for novice and experienced sailors. 4 days. Biscayne Bay. (Shake-A-Leg Water Sports Center, 2600 S Bayshore Dr; 305-858-5550) |
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Tampa |
(17 & 18) Loren Vandermark Classic is sponsored by the Florida Wheelchair Bowling Association and open to members who are also members of the American Wheelchair Bowling Association. 2 days. Terrence Sports Bowling Center, 5311 E Busch Blvd. (Earl Annis 727-734-0023) |
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Gainesville |
National Women's WC-Basketball Tournament is a national women's event with 8 teams from around the country. Winners of this event represent the US in international competitions. Thu-Sat. Santa Fe Community College, 3000 NW 83 St. (Dug Jones 352-395-5269) |
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Jacksonville |
(8) Gate River Run is a National Championship for American Runners sponsored by the Jacksonville Track Club. WC riders start 15 min before other runners in this 15K race. A 5K event is also open to runners, walkers and WC riders. No electric WCs, handcylces or crank-cycles are permitted. 1 day. Altel Stadium, Stadium Dr at I-95 and Union St. (Bob Hawkes 904-744-1174) |
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Miami |
Ericson Open WC-Tennis Tournament, along with the tournament for able-bodied players, is USTA-sanctioned. Crandon Park Tennis Center, 7300 Crandon Blvd; 305-365-2300. (FL USTA 386-671-8949x8932) |
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Sarasota |
(7 - 9) US Quad Rugby - Atlantic Sectional
features the top 8 teams from the north and south region. The winners
will qualify for the National Tournament. Fri 4-10; Sat 10-4; Sun 10-3.
Cardinal Mooney High School, 4171 Fruitville Rd. (Patrick O'Conner;
941-751-1176) |
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Tampa |
(11-13) Gulf Coast Trapshoot, sponsored by the Paralyzed Veterans of America and open to the public with advanced registration, includes 3 trapshooting events with prizes. A practice day is followed by 2 days of competition. Silver Dollar Trap Shoot Club, 17202 Target Way, Odessa; 813-920-3231. (Paul Wolbert 813-935-6540; 800-397-6540) |
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Tampa |
Open WC-Tennis Tournament, sponsored by the Tampa WC-Tennis Foundation, the city of Tampa and area businesses, is a USTA-sanctioned event and a good warm up for players competing in the Boca Florida Open. Hillsborough Community College; 3901 W Tampa Bay Blvd. (Tracy Wilkerson 813-672-2573) |
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Tampa |
National Wheelchair Poolplayers Association Tournament is open to 32 national and international players in WCs who are earning points to qualify for the US team. 3 days. Planet 9-Ball, 11236 W Hillsborough Ave. (Ken Miller 813-818-7665) |
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Boca Raton |
Florida Open International WC-Tennis Championships, sponsored by the USTA, is one of the largest WC-tennis competitions in the country. Patch Reef Park Tennis Center, 2000 NW 51 St; on Yamoto Rd, just W of Military Tr; 561-997-0881. (Bruce or Verena Karr 561-655-4930) |
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Gainesville |
Gator Invitational Sports Ability Games are sanctioned track and field events for physically challenged persons with classes from novice to professional. Events include 20-meter to 1-mi track, a weave course for power WCs, an obstacle course for all WCs, softball throw, shot put, discus and relay races. 1 day. Kiwannis Challenge Playground, 2131 NW 39 Ave; behind the girls club. (Claudia Siders work 352-955-6701; home 386-462-4880) |
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Sanford |
Bass Fishing Tournament, sponsored by the Florida Paralyzed Veterans of America and open to the public, has divisions for fishing from the banks and from boats on Lake Monroe. Boating participants are paired with a captain; crew can lift you into the boat seat from your WC. 2 days. Monroe Harbor Marina, 531 N Palmetto Ave; 407-322-2910. (407-328-7041) |
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Gainesville |
GatorSport Exploration Camp is for adults with spinal cord injuries and lower extremity amputations, to explore and learn sports, including WC basketball, tennis, racing, amputee racing, quad rugby, swimming, fencing and golf. 2 days. University of Florida. (Dr Carolyn Hanson, Dept of Occupational Therapy 352-846-1023) |
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Tallahassee |
(2-3) Sports Ability, sponsored by the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association, offers the disabled public an opportunity to try out various sports and recreational activities, from water skiing and horseback riding to basketball, depending upon local resources. You can also check out demonstrations and displays of specialized products, services and programs. 2 days. Venues vary. www.foda.org (David Jones 850-668-7323) |
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Tampa State |
Wheelchair Bowling Tournament is sponsored by the Florida Wheelchair Bowling Association and open to members who are also members of the American Wheelchair Bowling Association. 3 days. Location varies. (Earl Annis 727-734-0023) |
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Orlando |
(2-16; 26-30) National/World Disabled Water Ski Championship is sponsored by the USA Water Ski and the City of Altamonte Springs. Winners go on to represent the USA in the subsequent World Championships. 4 days (including 2-day clinics open to the public). Cranes Roost Park, Shorecrest & Northlake Blvds, Altamonte Springs. (US Water Ski 800-533-2972; Jerrey Thurston 407-468-7958; Bill Bowness WSDA@unlimitedskiing.org) |
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Jacksonville |
Sports Ability, as described above under May, Tallahassee, occurs sometime in the autumn. (David Jones 850-668-7323) |
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St Pete |
Ms. Wheelchair Florida Pageant is the final competition of
women from throughout Florida to select the most
accomplished and articulate spokesperson for disabled Americans.
Women from all over the state of Florida will compete for this achievement award.The
pageant will be Saturday, October 4 at the Hilton in St.
Petersburg. See www.mswheelchairfl.com. |
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Dade City |
Dade Battle of Brilliance is a bicycling and handcyling competition in downtown and includes some of the area's top amateurs and the nation's best cyclists. Handcyclists of all levels and all ages compete in a 20-min race. 1 day. (David Hevia 352-567-2378 or Ellen Kast 813-885-2473/800-724-9686) |
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Daytona Beach |
(24-27)Smirnoff Ice USTA National Wheelchair Clay Court Championship
for USTA members. www.usatennisflorida.com (Florida Tennis Center, 1 Deuce
Ct; 386-671-8901; tennis@codb.us)
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Daytona/
Ft. Lauderdale |
Florida Fall Classic is sponsored by the Florida Wheelchair Bowling Association and open to members who are also members of the American Wheelchair Bowling Association. 2 days. Locations alternate. (Earl Annis 727-734-0023) |
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Ft Lauderdale |
Sunshine Sectional WC-Tennis Tournament is a USTA-sanctioned event for players world wide. 3 days. Maxwell Park, 1200 SW 72 Ave, Pembroke Pines; 954-986-5021. (Nancy Horowitz 954-435-6759) |
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Jacksonville |
Jacksonville Marathon,
sponsored by the Jacksonville Track Club, is a 26.3-mi qualifying race for the Boston Marathon with a WC Division that gets a 1-min downhill head start. 1 day. Altel Stadium, Stadium Dr at I-95 and Union St. (Bob Hawkes 904-744-1174) |
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Miami |
Jr Orange Bowl Sportsability Games
includes sailing, swimming and track and field events for physically challenged kids age 8-18 from all over the world. 3 days. 3 different venues (James Daley 305-724-3322)
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Tampa |
WC Derby,
sponsored by the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Department, includes races for all ages and abilities on a 2.2-mi paved loop road. Categories range from electric carts to 3-wheelers and from kids to masters. 1 day. Hillsborough River State Park, 15402 US 301 N, Thonotosassa; 12 mi N of Tampa. (813-987-6771) |
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W Palm Beach |
The Mosquito Open
WC-tennis tournament, sponsored by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department, is a USTA-sanctioned event. 2 days. Carlin Park, 400 S SR A1A, Jupiter. (Kristen Karon 561-963-7379)
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W Palm Beach |
Holiday Showcase,
sponsored by Vision Strength Artistic Expression and Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department, features music, dance and other performances by local talent with a variety of abilities. Palm Beach Community College, Duncan Theater, 4200 S Congress Ave, Lake Worth. (561-964-4822)
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