Hello MWABA,

Join us for Tandem Biking, Yoga, and Kayaking! Sign up by August 15th for the D.C. Bike Ride!

Tandem Biking

· Sign up here by August 15th: https://forms.gle/HePrczM1kWYK2udv5 if you’re interested in doing the DC Bike Ride with MWABA! We’re excited to offer some free registrations for the DC Bike Ride.

· Sign up by Tuesday night at 8 p.m. for our tandem rides this week! We’re riding on Thursday night in Eastern Market at 6 p.m., Friday night in Bethesda at 6 p.m., and Saturday morning in Bethesda at 9 a.m. https://forms.gle/YAdsEQbKSpZABg2Y7 Note that the red line is under construction, and busses replace trains to Bethesda until September.

Yoga

· Join us for yoga at Circle Yoga on Sunday, August 16th with Bonnie Foote from 3:20-4:30PM located at 3838 Northampton St. NW, Washington, D.C. Please do not arrive before 3PM to Circle Yoga as the doors will be locked. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/M5Ceou6fABacvBjd7

Goalball

· There is no Goalball practice on August 15th because of nationals. The next practice will be on August 22nd from 10 AM to 1 PM at 1480 Girard St. NW, DC.

Annual Kayaking on the Wharf

· Please join us for our annual Kayak the Potomac event on Sunday, September 20th at the Wharf, 710 Wharf St. SW. MWABA will be renting double kayaks from 1:00-5:00 pm. This is a drop-in event. Come anytime and stay as long as you like. MWABA will provide snacks, water and Gatorade. The Wharf is an easy walk from the Waterfront metro station on the green line. Wear shoes and clothing that can get wet, and keep your fingers crossed for the same beautiful weather we had last year. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/6G5dt8TuoHv6WDWN7

Other Activities

· Blind Fencing Class Announcement Fall 2026: Learn how to use a sword! Blind fencing is growing in the US and abroad, and we hope that it will be included in the Paralympics in the future. Fencing can help develop orientation and mobility skills. It is an energetic sport that can enhance reflexes, balance and coordination. It also requires strategy and tactics to win against an opponent. The sport is very safe as the fencing uniform provides ample protection. The swords are not sharp; they have a small tip at the end that depresses and lights up a light and sounds a buzzer when a fencer is stabbed.

· Registration is open for a class to teach fencing to blind adults at Chevy Chase Fencing Club. The class is only for those who are legally blind and ages 13 and above. The class size will be limited to ten students.

· Classes will meet on Friday evenings from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, for ten sessions beginning on September 11th, at the Chevy Chase Community Center, 5601 Connecticut Avenue, NW.

· Full uniform and equipment is provided to the students for use during the class. Students are asked to wear shorts (so that the fencing knickers can be worn overtop), long knee-length socks, and athletic shoes (no sandals or Crocs).

· Register online at https://fencer.com/fencing-class-registration/. The registration fee is $250 for the semester. If additional funding can be found before the start of the classes the registration fee will be reduced and a refund of the difference will be given to those who have already paid. It may be possible for students who have hardship paying the full fee to get supplemental financial assistance from generous sources. If there are any problems with your registration submittal, look for error messages at the top of the webpage.

· If you have any questions, please contact Raymond Finkleman (Fencing Master and Member of the Sligo Creek Chapter of NFB) at fencer.

Thanks and see you out there!

Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes (MWABA)

Sports and fun for everyone! https://gomwaba.org