Amputee Coalition is excited to bring back in-person clinics at the 2022 National Conference. The full lineup of clinics is now available. Once you complete your conference registration, then sign up to participate in this year’s clinics. Please know we understand that Bob Gailey’s clinic was very popular. Unfortunately, he is unable to attend this year’s conference, and we hope to see him back again at next year’s conference. Read on for the robust clinics you can experience next month!
- First Swim by OPAF and the First Clinics
Instructor: Mabio Costa Our swimming clinic will teach you water safety skills, transfers at the poolside, and swim strokes for individuals with limb loss and limb difference. OPAF and the Amputee Coalition are providing you with an opportunity to learn from the best! We want you to master these basics of swimming so that you may improve your fitness and independence. In addition, you will have the opportunity to meet and mentor other individuals with limb loss/limb difference in your community. Let us get you into the water. All levels of ability are welcome! Please bring your swimsuit, goggles, and any supplies necessary to don/doff your prosthesis.We will be hosting three different sessions during the 2022 National Conference. The beginner session focuses on how to transition in and out of the pool, flotation, breathing, kicking, and basic freestyle. The intermediate session focuses on how to transition in and out of the pool, improved freestyle and backstroke, as well as an introduction to open water technique. And the final advanced session will focus on how to improve your freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly with enhancing cadence and VO2 Max as well as open water swimming. There are three separate registrations, and you are welcome to attend each session if you would like.
- Morning Yoga for Core Strength, Fluidity, and Balance Clinic
Instructor: Lucy Lomax, Certified Yoga Therapist C-IAYT, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher E-RYT 500, Y4A: Yoga for Amputees Master Trainer, and an Accessible Yoga TeacherBegin your day with a morning yoga session. We will practice connecting to your breath to support the nervous system, opening your joints for increased range of motion, and engaging your deeper core and back muscles for increased strength. Bring these actions into balance for your body, mind, and spirit. The instructor will guide participants through a yoga sequence and assist with modifications to accommodate skill level and level of limb loss or limitation. Come explore how the benefits of yoga’s centered breath and movement can enhance your day and your life!
- Adaptive Wheelchair Tennis Clinic
Instructor: SDSU Adapted Athletics Wheelchair Tennis TeamEnjoy a fun, complimentary tennis clinic at the resort’s beautiful tennis facility – sponsored by The JW Marriott Desert Springs Tennis Professional, Jim Leupold, and The San Diego State University Adapted Athletics Wheelchair Tennis Team. We may even be lucky enough to have visits from a few Wheelchair Tennis professional players! The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa has been ranked in the top 10 for the past decade of all the top tennis resorts in the world and in the top 5 for Instruction & Tennis Programming. For 30 years, the resort has executed free tennis clinics for wheelchair players and those with a myriad of physical challenges.
Join the San Diego State University (SDSU) Adapted Athletics Wheelchair Tennis Team for an exciting clinic open to players of all tennis abilities, including those who may have never played before. Tennis is a very challenging sport to perfect but very easy to learn. Beginners will discover that they can soon go out and hit the ball back and forth with friends and perhaps even compete in tournaments. Hone your skills with the SDSU Team. Some sports wheelchairs will be made available, but wheelchairs are not mandatory for the clinic.
- Prosthesis Evaluation Clinic
Instructors:Mac McClellan, CPO, LPO, FISPO, FAAOP Tucson G & H and Don Cummings, CPO This is an interactive clinic that will allow participants to have their gait analyzed for potential alignment, fit, or other changes that may improve their ability to ambulate. On an individual basis, we will observe your gait patterns and then evaluate your prosthesis to see if there are any suggestions to improve your gait pattern, walking efficiency, socket comfort, etc. All evaluations and suggestions are done in a positive manner and no changes are made to anyone’s prosthesis. Rather, if we see something that could improve your walking ability, we share that with you to discuss with your prosthetist when you return home. Available in a scheduled one-on-one session or in a group setting where prosthesis users watch evaluations of others while they wait their turn, so they can learn from seeing other evaluations. Take advantage of this opportunity to flaunt your walk so your gait can be evaluated!
- Adaptive Golf Clinic
Instructors: David Kulla-Mader, PGA; Joe Grohman, PGA; and Brett Lang Enjoy the power of adaptive golf at the conference with three trained adaptive golf coaches. This year’s golf instruction will take place in the Conference Exhibit Hall in a climate-controlled environment. You will learn important golfing techniques through simulation. The golf instruction will include Introduction to golf, SNAG (Starting New at Golf), the grip, putting, chipping, and full swing.
Please note that pre-registration is required for all clinics.
Join the Amputee Coalition in person at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA, August 10-13, to reconnect, recharge, and reimagine our future at the premier event for the limb loss and limb difference community.