Hello MWABA,
Join us for a birding hike, tandem biking, and goalball!
Blind Birding Hike on May 18th
· 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
· Do you have space to store a tandem bike? We are looking to relocate a couple of bikes in our fleet. If you have the space to keep a bike at your home, please contact Chris at cegeorge1 or 480-276-3256.
· Sign up by Tuesday night for our Thursday night ride from Eastern Market and our Friday night ride from Bethesda: https://forms.gle/a3fC438hzv9aH8m89
· We are partnering with Achilles to provide 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 help train Achilles guides 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 May 3rd, from 10 AM to 1 PM, at 1480 Girard St. NW, DC.
· Youth Goalball: MWABA is hosting a series of Youth Goalball events. Sign up by May 7th 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 below. Sign-up here: https://forms.gle/to5TdYuTkFtzCnTH8
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.
Thanks and see you out there!
Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes (MWABA)
Sports and fun for everyone! https://gomwaba.org