Hello MWABA,
See below for information about the election results, hiking, tandem biking, goalball, Achilles, and more!
Board Election Results
· Congratulations to Azka, Kristin and Kurt who were elected to the MWABA board. And thank you to our departing board members Tajuan and Qudsiya for your many contributions to MWABA!
Hikes on April 27th and May 18th
· Sign up by Wednesday, April 23rd at 11:59 p.m. for our next hike on Sunday, April 27th at Catoctin Mountain Park, which is about an hour from DC. We’ll meet at 8 a.m. at the Medical Center metro. We plan to do another out-and-back hike (about 3.5-4 miles) to Chimney Rock, which is a fairly strenuous hike, but we can offer easier options for those who prefer that. Sign up here: kevin.andrews94 We could use at least one additional driver.
· SAVE THE DATE: MWABA is participating in the first-ever National Blind Bird-A-Thon on Sunday, May 18 from 9:00am-11:00am at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton Regional Park, sponsored by Birdability. The DC Bird Alliance will join us to identify bird species through song and sight, while enjoying a spring hike. Please sign up using this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvjnC69q9BjF-4xjzsXQRbYGjiBwujQwInf-mhygl2tRY-zg/viewform by no later than 11:59 pm on Sunday, May 4. Also register for the national event using the link below to be in the running for an exciting prize drawing! Please indicate that you are registering as part of an already-organized group or team. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_7kC7U11jWgEuXgGmwz1dwA0s6bB5ycrpy4TnqMpn0Wu5yw/viewform Check out this FAQ to learn about birding and bird-a-thons: https://www.birdability.org/blind-birder-birdathon Please also save the date for a virtual orientation to bird watching on May 13 from 6:30pm-7:30pm via Zoom. We can’t wait to get out there and enjoy local birdsong with you!
Tandem Biking
· Sign up by Tuesday night for our Thursday night ride from Eastern Market, our Friday night ride from Bethesda, and our Saturday morning ride from Eastern Market: https://forms.gle/a3fC438hzv9aH8m89 The Saturday ride will be a joint ride with WABITS (the Washington Area Bicyclists in Tandem Society). Join us for a captain training from 9-10 a.m. and/or the ride at 10.
· Achilles tandem captain training on April 30th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and May 3rd from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Achilles asked MWABA captains and stokers to do a tandem captain training so they can expand their adaptive biking program. We’ll meet at the Starbucks near the Archives metro stop, 325 7th Street NW and then do the training at 7th and Madison on the mall. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/yvRSXWPsFCobkciHA
Goalball
· Come to goalball on April 26th, from 10 AM to 1 PM, at 1480 Girard St. NW, DC.
· Youth Goalball: MWABA is hosting a series of Youth Goalball events. There is still time to sign up for our next practice which will be on Saturday, May 10. Please spread the word. At our May practice, we will go over throwing and defensive techniques and review game rules while playing practice games. We will also form teams for our first ever Youth Goalball Tournament which is scheduled for Saturday, June 7. All events will be from 10:00-1:00 at the Columbia Heights Community Center in Washington, DC. These events are open to blind and visually impaired youth ages 9-18 in DC, MD, and VA. Participants will have the opportunity to learn the game from adult players on the DC men’s and women’s goalball teams. This is a great opportunity for blind and visually impaired youth in the area to participate on a team in a fun and exciting sport designed for them. Please find more information at the sign-up link: https://forms.gle/to5TdYuTkFtzCnTH8
Yoga
· Yoga on April 26 is postponed, stay tuned for the new date.
Achilles
· The Washington D.C. chapter of Achilles International transforms the lives of people with disabilities through athletic programs and social connection. Whether your goal is to race a mile for the first time ever, go for a weekly walk or ride in the park with a new community of friends or to reach the podium at the Abbott World Marathon Majors, Achilles wants to help you succeed and experience the joys of achievement.
· Meeting Info: Wednesdays, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM and Saturdays, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM. Adaptive cycling equipment including handcycles, tandem bikes, and recumbent bikes is available thanks to support from Capital Bikeshare.
· Location: Starbucks at 325 7th St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
· Contact: For information on joining as an athlete with a disability or volunteering as a guide runner, please contact James Murphy at jmurphy, or go to the webpage at https://www.achillesinternational.org/washington-dc.
Additional Announcements
· The next virtual Abilities Dance performance is on April 26th. Abilities Dance Boston honors advocacy in Ballet/Modern showcase. Intersections series highlights identities of Black, disabled, and queer/trans artists. The tickets are on a sliding scale from $0 to $35. Buy your tickets here: https://ticketstripe.com/events/8439106739717398
Thanks and see you out there!
Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes (MWABA)
Sports and fun for everyone! https://gomwaba.org