STROKES OF INSPIRATION
A canoe race in Hawaiian outrigger canoes on the Charles River, along with hula dancing and a luau Sunday, were all part of the Mayor’s Cup Regatta to benefit Acces Sport America, an organization that inspires fitness for people living with disabilities.
“There’s no better way to celebrate what we do than with outrigging canoes because it’s a great inclusion sport,” said Ross Lilley, the founder and executive director of Acces Sport America. “In the boat you have no idea who has a disability and who doesn’t.”
Each team included a person with a disability.
Clara Dombek of Cambridge, who helped paddle one of the double-hulled Hawaiian outrigger canoes for the second year with team Clara’s Red Devils, said she thinks it is special to bring people with all sorts of disabilities together.
“Having been born with a physical disability, it’s really nice to see a variety of people out just doing something that they really enjoy and having fun,” she said.
“We like out-of-the-ordinary experiences for people with disabilities so when they come to us, they don’t have preconceptions about how they’ll do,” Lilley said. “These sports make people see themselves as compelling athletes.”
Acces Sport America, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2020, plans to hold a gala in April. Lilley said New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will be honored for his long-term support along with Lilley’s son, Joshua.
“He lives with cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia, and pretty much does every sport we have and proves it can work with almost any body,” Lilley said.