Amy Purdy and Evan Strong Both Medal at the Paralympics in Sochi

Everyone at Adaptive Action Sports are proud to announce the amazing success of Amy Purdy and Evan Strong at the Paralympics in Sochi.  Evan had the extreme honor of receiving the first gold medal for the U.S. at the winter games while Amy won the bronze in snowboarding's debut at the Paralympics.

Evan Strong Wins Gold in Sochi's Winter Paralympics

There was some strange energy around. It was hard to explain, says Evan Strong, 22, as he talked about the day of his motorcycle accident. Evan was 17 still living in Maui with his family when he was in a horrible motorcycle accident resulting in the amputation of his left leg just below the knee. Evan said goodbye to his "old self" that day and left him with a completely new look at life. The process of recovery put him in what he explains as an "infant-like" state -needing help going to the bathroom, having to be fed, and pretty much being dependant for almost everything. Today, Evan wants to show others how to lead a more fulfilling life, to help others find peace within themselves. Evan now coaches and mentors at Adaptive Action Sports, a non-profit organization, that sponsors clinics where Evan teaches and mentors kids with disabilities along with adults how to mountain bike, skateboard, and hopefully in the future, to rock climb. "I want to see people break out of the shell of what they thought their limitations were."

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia – On a historic day for snowboarding at the Paralympics, U.S. rider Evan Strong won the men's snowboard cross competition, leading an American sweep of the medals. Strong, 27, a longtime California resident who was injured in a motorcycle accident 10 years ago, claimed the first gold medal for the U.S. at the Sochi Paralympic Winter Games.
"I'm ecstatic, I'm over the moon, I don't even feel like my feet are on the ground right now," Strong said after his victory at the Rosa Khutor resort in the mountains above Sochi... [read more]

Amy Purdy Wins Bronze in Sochi's Winter Paralympics

Amy Purdy was a snow board sport fanatic growing up. She wanted to take several years traveling the world and snowboarding when unexpectedly, at 19 years old, her life took a dramatic turn. After suffering a day of what seemed to be the flu, Amy was taken to the hospital in a state of septic shock. She was shortly after, Amy was diagnosed with Bacterial Meningitis, a deadly blood infection. Amy fought the good fight for nearly three months. When released from the hospital, she was a completely different person mentally,  physically and spiritually. Amy suffered the loss of bothlegs below the knee along with all kidney function, but it didn't stop her from following her dreams. Amy is now a medaled snowboarder, actress, TV host, public speaker  and Advocate for Element Skateboards.  

Strong, 27, a longtime California resident who was injured in a motorcycle accident 10 years ago, claimed the first gold medal for the U.S. at the Sochi Paralympic Winter Games.
"I'm ecstatic, I'm over the moon, I don't even feel like my feet are on the ground right now," Strong said after his victory at the Rosa Khutor resort in the mountains above Sochi... [read more]

The Road to Sochi

Evan Strong and Amy Purdy from the US National Paralympic Training Team are joined by Carl Murphy from New Zealand in mid-December.  They are using start gates and a rhythm practice run provided with AAS support at Copper Mountain.

AMY PURDY

CARL MURPHY

EVAN STRONG

Adaptive Moto X at the LA X Games 2013

X Games LA 2013

Adaptive Action Sports, X Games Sport Organizers/Founders of Adaptive Moto X, partnered with the ESPN and EPCN Productions this year to bring the world’s top seven adaptive moto riders to compete for gold in LA at X Games 2013. 

Staples Center was filled to the brim.  In the pits leading up to the race, tension was thick and nerves tight as the riders prepared to race. During three practice rounds, it was hard to determine how the race would play out.   Off of his second place finish at the Extremity Games, newcomer Max Gomez was looking fast.  Event veterans Chris Ridgway, X Games gold medalist, and Todd Thompson both rode strong and were poised to give Mike Shultz, favored to win, a run for his money.  Unfortunately, Jim Wazny, a single above knee amputee and veteran to X Games Moto and Snocross, lost his front brake coming off the 65 foot ramp jump resulting in a crash that took him out of the main event.

The Adaptive Moto X was the first race of the evening. Six riders lined up to start: Chris Ridgway (single bk amputee), Mike Shultz (single ak amputee), Todd Thompson (single bk amputee), Max Gomez (single bk amputee), Steve Howe (single right arm amputee) and Dave Turner (single bk amputee).

Engines fired, lights and music came up and the announcer called “Are you ready,  Staples Center….!!?” The crowd erupted just as the gates dropped and the racers cut loose. Ridgway and Shultz broke the fastest but it was Ridgway who took the hole shot with Shultz and Thompson just on his wheel. 

Todd Thompson passing Ridgway

Ridgway led the race for the first four of a 12 lap race before being overtaken by Shultz in a dramatic pass. Thompson would also pass Ridgway for second place but not before Ridgway defended his line with fierce conviction. Shultz, Thompson and Ridgway led the race in that order and crossed the line the same way.  Max Gomez raced a strong race and finished fourth followed by Howe. Turner had a brake cable malfunction mid-race that kept him from the checkered flag.

Mike Shultz final lap/Photo courtesy RedBull Media

The race was a phenomenal success and a truly amazing show. We are looking forward to X Games Austin in 2014 for another year of amazing adaptive racing.

Images by Oscar Loreto and Daniel Gale. Words by Daniel Gale

Adaptive Action Sports is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to creating action sports camps, events and clinics for youth, young adults and Veterans living with permanent physical disabilities. Action Sports, AAS believes, encourage individuality and creativity while building independence and self-confidence.

Winning!

Max Gomez awaits practice

Practice

Mike Shultz - course inspection

Left to Right Silver, Gold, Bronze - Todd Thompson, Mike Shultz and Chris Ridgway

For more information on AAS and X Games, visit www.adacs.org and www.espnxgames.com.