NCVISA is an non-profit community association comprising blind, visually impaired and sighted members in the National Capital Region. Our mission is to nurture motivation, socialization, self confidence and achievement through athletic competition and recreational activities. This complements the Canadian National Institute for the Blind Objective "to ameliorate the condition of the blind, to prevent blindness and promote sight enhancement services". 

We focus on four areas of athletic activity:

Our team raced in the 2000 National Capital Dragon Boat festival held at the Rideau Canoe Club at Hog's Back Road last June 24-25. 159 teams from across Canada were entered. There are 20 paddlers, a drummer, a steersperson and alternates as part of our team. Ten of our paddlers are blind or visually impaired. We have to paddle a 10 metre boat, weighing one ton, over a 500 metre course. At least 250 paddle strokes are required in a 2.5 minute interval, to compete against strong teams. In the 2000 event we won the gold medal in the Fun Final, and came 13th overall out of 158 sighted teams. Our Dragon Eyes team has now won two silver medals and a gold in our last four yeas of competition. If you are athletically inclined or if you are blind or visually impaired and want to be a part of a winning team on water for the 2001 event (June 23-24) contact our captain, Rob d'Arras at 226-2653 or send him an email at rdarras@magma.ca  Our practices will be Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:15 a.m, commencing May 7, 2001.

Tandem Cycling

We have 7 tandem bikes that we received through the good graces of the Community Foundation of Ottawa-Carleton. We have rides that take place roughly twice a month on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. starting at the CNIB at the rear entrance at 320 McLeod Street, Ottawa. We have both short and long rides scheduled. All you need is a bike helmet and comfortable clothes. We are always looking for volunteer sighted pilots with biking experience. If you are interested and wish to participate as a rider or volunteer pilot, contact Manon Valin or Gord Wilson at 829-3183 or email them at tenanga@quixnet.net

Camping

We have 10 hi-tech tents, stoves, lanterns water purifiers, etc. All you have to bring is your tooth brush, a sleeping bag, personal toiletries, and hiking clothes. Families are welcome. The cost of the trip is shared amongst all participants. So far there are three camping trips at the planning and confirmed stages for this year. To get more information contact Gord Wilson or Manon Valin at 829-3183 or email them at tenanga@quixnet.net

Cross-Country Skiing

We are planning a number of trips for next winter. Contact Rob d'Arras for more information at 226-2653 or email him at rdarras@magma.ca

NCVISA UPCOMING ACTIVITIES 2008

26 Jan (Sat) Night X-C ski

09 Feb (Sat) Skate (Rideau Canal or indoor rink)
23 Feb (Sat) X-C ski (Gatineau Park)

8/9 Mar (Sat) X-C ski/snowshoe weekend (Val-David or Mont-Tremblant)
29 Mar (Sat) X-C ski (Mont Ste-Marie)

12 Apr (Sat) Waterpolo or dragon boat practice (pool side)
20 Apr (Sun) Tandem cycling (Govenor General's residence)
26 Apr (Sat) Waterpolo or dragon boat practice (pool side)
27 Apr (Sun) Wall climbing

10 May (Sat) Hiking (Gatineau Park) or Waterpolo
18 or 25 May (Sun) Tandem cycling (Braemar Park)

01 Jun (Sun) Tandem cycling/picnic (parkways & waterways)
14 Jun (Sat) Hiking (Jack Pine Trail / Stoney Swamp)
27 Jun/1 Jul Long weekend camping (Bon Echo P.P.)

05 or 06 Jul Outdoor rock climbing
13 Jul (Sun) Tandem cycling (Wheel-a-thon/fundraising event)
25/28 Jul Long weekend camping (Charleston Lake)

09 Aug (Sat) Mont-Cascades water slides or hiking (Mer Bleue)
16 Aug (Sat) Full moon hike to Herridge shelter (Gatineau Park)
22/25 Aug Wilderness canoe-camping (St. Andrew's Lake)

13 Sep (Sat) Lafleche caves
19/22 Sep Long weekend camping at Murphy's Point
28 Sep (Sun) Tandem cycling (Aylmer Marina)

3/5 Oct Tandem cycling (Val-David old railroad trail)
19 Oct (Sun) Hiking / wall climbing / indoor skating (TBD)
25 Oct (Sat) Waterpolo (Gloucester wave pool)
26 Oct (Sun) Tandem cycling (TBD)

08 Nov (Sat) Waterpolo (Gloucester wave pool)
14 Nov (Fri) Wolf howl (Friends of Gatineau Park)
15 Nov (Sat) Wall climbing
22 Nov (Sat) NCVISA AGM

06 Dec (Sat) Waterpolo (Gloucester wave pool)

Note: Activity schedule is subject to changes. All NCVISA members will be notified via email, phone or regular mail.

For more information on these activities, please contact:

Tatijana Gavrilovic at 421-0220
Manon Valin at 829-3183, or
Email: tenanga@rogers.com

PHOTO GALLERY