Image: BORP logo in black, a stylized drawing of person in a moving wheelchair plus the words BORP adaptive sports and recreation.

In This Issue: Letter from Rick Smith | Fitness | Adventures & Outings | Cycling | Team Sports | Indoor Rock Climbing | Access NorCal | Kayaking | Save the Date: Revolution Ride 2023 | Social Media Links | BORP Covid-19 Guidelines | Mission Statement | Office Address

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Welcome to 2023!

As we start the New Year, I want to thank everyone who made a donation to BORP’s year-end campaign. Of course, it’s never too late to make a donation to BORP’s adaptive recreation programs on our web site at www.borp.org. I also want to acknowledge our recent, and very generous, foundation and corporate donors for their amazing support: The Hartford, the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, the May & Stanley Smith Foundation, the Mellam Foundation, and the Lillian Lincoln Foundation. This support has enabled BORP to weather the Covid storm, and to continue offering a full and expanded menu of adaptive sports, fitness, and recreation programs. 

BORP also benefits tremendously from the support of volunteers who work alongside our staff to increase our capacity to do programming. I’m excited to report that Mia Feldbaum from our staff is currently working an updated system for recruiting, supporting, and acknowledging BORP volunteers:

• We've updated the website with an enhanced volunteer intake form.
•  We've relaunched the volunteer@borp.org email address and are responding to every inquiry about volunteering with us. 
•  We're offering many volunteers the opportunity to take part in a very low-cost CPR/First Aid training to enhance the skills of our volunteers and as a perk. 
• We're exploring other skill-building perks with partners such as California Canoe & Kayak who are willing to offer discounts on skills classes for BORP Kayak volunteers (by arrangement). We're looking into similar arrangements with other partners especially when skills classes may be running but not full. 

All of our programs rely on volunteer assistance, and we couldn’t maintain the growing level of programming without their support. If you’re one of those volunteers, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact us at volunteer@borp.org.  

The New Year is also the beginning of tournament season for our sports teams: here’s wishing our Power Soccer, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, and Goalball teams lots of success and competitive fun as they compete in tournaments over the next several months! GO BORP!

One final note: Save Saturday, May 13, 2023, the date for BORP’s biggest and most important fund-raising event: the 21st annual REVOLUTION Ride, Roll & Stroll! More REV information will be coming soon. 

Happy New Year,

Rick Smith

Executive Director

Fitness Classes:

What are You Looking For?

BORP's In-Person Fitness Programs need your input to expand our in-person offerings! Interested in fitness but want something different? Maybe you would like more Open Gym, fitness workshops or both? What days and times work best for you? Take our brief survey, here, and let us know so we can accommodate more people with in person fitness options.

Looking for some fitness options today? BORP has hundreds of classes recorded and available here on our BORP YouTube channel.

We also have some great options at our fitness studio at the Ed Roberts Campus! Get info and sign up here for in-person classes or click here for virtual class info.

Image: Exercise equipment pictured a big yoga ball, jump rope, weights, water bottle and a yoga mat.

Upcoming A&O Events

For all A&O events call or email Lori Gray to confirm your attendance.

lori@borp.org 510-843-4389

Space is limited at all A&O events. Please be sure to sign up early and, if you find you are unable to attend, let us know as soon as possible so that another interested participant has a chance to join the fun. Email Lori for the complete calendar.

A&O Monthly Sunday Climb–Indoor Rock Climbing–Sunday, January 22

• BORP + ParaCliffHangers are teaming up on a number of indoor rock climbing sessions including this monthly session for A&O participants.
• Register at ParaCliffHangers.org to join. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the "Bay Area Sign Up" button.
• Please email if you’re interested in attending by Wednesday, January 18

Zoom Hangout–Sunday, February 5 

• Join in on guided outings, games including truth or dare, headband, group storytelling, and more at this virtual hangout from 2-4 p.m. on Feb. 5. Please email Lori to confirm your spot is February 1.

Virtual Highly Descriptive Museum Tour–Monday, February 13

• Docents from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco will share detailed descriptions and facts about artwork on a chosen theme. Virtual event.
• Reminder: these tours offer extremely detailed verbal descriptions of artworks; please join us if you are interested in that level of detail.
• Please contact Lori to confirm your spot by Monday, February 9

In-Person Elephant Seal Adventure at Año Nuevo–Sunday, February 12

• This is the first of two trips to Año Nuevo to check out the elephant seals.
• On this outing, priority will be given to individuals with spinal cord injuries. The equal access elephant seal tour is limited to two wheelchairs and six ambulatory people who do not use wheelchairs. If a lot of folks show interest in this event, we may be able to add a separate hike in the area.
• Full event information can be read here at the BORP website. You must read and agree to the full details and requirements of the trip before signing up to attend. These are rain or shine trips.
• The cost for this outing is $20 and the deadline to sign up by emailing Lori to attend is January 22.

Adaptive Cycling with BORP

Rain or shine, the BORP Cycling Center crew is here for you! This winter, our bikes are getting extra special attention.

We've been tuning and overhauling as many of our cycles as possible with the help of Eric Schmidt, mechanic extraordinaire, before he rejoins Doctors Without Borders this month. Eric is passing the baton to Gio, our friend and mechanic from next door at Waterside cycles. Gio will help get our fleet of 90 adaptive cycles in the best shape they can be. We are pleased that Gio said yes to joining us!

Monthly group rides: Jorge is leading monthly group rides this year, with the first group ride on January 21. This "chill" 15-mile ride will average speeds of 5-8 mph on a route to the Bay Bridge and back. Group rides are slated to take place on the third Saturday of each month through June. Each ride will have a different route and range from easy, beginner rides to challenging routes for experienced cyclists.

New fun volunteer opportunity: We are in need of a few folks who would like to volunteer to ride with our riders with visual impairments. As a pilot you would be doing the steering and braking on a side-by-side bike or the front bike of two recumbent bikes hooked together (on a Delta tandem, not a bicycle built for two). If you are interested, email us with your availability to cycling@borp.org.

Image: Mechanic superheroes Eric and Gio work on bikes at the BORP cycling center.

Adaptive Cycling Center Hours:

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays | Rain or Shine

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

By appointment only. Contact cycling@borp.org 510-848-2930 to ride.

Note: On rainy days folks can ride using non-electric assist cycles. If there are severe weather warnings such as flooding or gusty winds, which can mean flying tree branches, please stay safe at home. When in doubt, please call.

The BORP Adaptive Cycling Center is located at 80 Bolivar Drive, Berkeley

Power Soccer

GAME ON! The BORP Shockers Power Soccer team will soon be traveling to their first out of state tournament since the pandemic stopped competition. This is a big step for the team and the power soccer program to come back from the shutdown. 

A veteran team of players will be competing at the Phoenix Rising Power Soccer Invitational in Phoenix, AZ from January 13-15. Our group of athletes have displayed remarkable resilience over the last few years of difficult change. Despite the big changes of Jonathan Newman moving on to new adventures, the loss of Chris Finn, and the onboarding of new Athletic Director, Brandon Young, this group has managed to stay together and come back nearly as strong as they were in the past. The team has determination and we are confident they will be victorious at the tournament. Please join us in wishing them great success and look out in the next newsletter for the results and pictures.

In other power soccer news, BORP will be hosting the BORP BASH Invitational Power Soccer Tournament on February 25 in Berkeley. This milestone event will be the first official tournament hosted by BORP since the pandemic pause. We are excited to invite fierce competition on our home court. We’d love to have the gym full of the sounds of cheers and good energy again. Please come out to support all the players who will be there! Details below.

Interested in getting involved? We are looking for a number of reliable volunteers to help support BORP’s power soccer program. In particular, we will need volunteers at the BORP BASH tournament on 2/25. Volunteers can help as equipment wranglers, sideline referees, and more. Your help is appreciated at our weekly practices, at the tournament, and beyond. If you or someone you know are looking for ways to help support what BORP does, this is a great and fulfilling way to be involved. For specifics about power soccer volunteer positions, please contact Brandon Young at brandon@borp.org.

BORP BASH Invitational Power Soccer Tournament

Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

James Kenney Community Center, 1720 Eighth St. Berkeley Ca, 94710

Image 1: Two power soccer players in their game chairs and team jerseys go after the ball on the gym court.

Image 2: Two opposing team power soccer players wearing team jerseys are in the foreground and a referee is the background. They are in a gym, mid-game, with the game ball in front of both chairs as the players vie for the ball.

Wheelchair Basketball

BORP AllStars recent Wheelchair Basketball Tournament the first weekend in January happened despite the bad weather. BORP had 5 players and competed against The Shockers from Sacramento and the Central Valley Ballers from Fresno. The travel and games were a great bonding experience for the AllStars and we look forward to more competitive games this year.

 Interested in joining Wheelchair Basketball? Have questions?

Contact Athletic Director Brandon Young at brandon@borp.org

Image: BORP AllStars wheelchair basketball team (l to r) Lamile Perry, Jorge Macias, Sam Craven, Chris Fox-Lent, and Eyan Gilder are pictured outside the basketball court in wheelchair Basketball chairs, wearing team jerseys.

Wheelchair Basketball Practice Date Changes

• Due to the observance of the MLK Jr. holiday, there will be no adult wheelchair practice on Monday, January 16
• Due to tournament travel, there will be no youth wheelchair basketball practice on Saturday, January 20
• Please check the calendar at BORP.org for updated practice, game, and program information

Goalball

BORP’s goalball program needs your help! BORP’s once thriving goalball program has not returned with the energy that made it such a fun and vibrant weekly practice. We are in search of new players to join us on Wednesday evenings to work out (and work off some of those lingering pandemic frustrations). We welcome all players of high school age and older with any level of experience and skill to get out on the court and play. If you’d like to join us, please contact Brandon Young at brandon@borp.org.

Goalball demonstrations: Over the next two months, BORP will be organizing three goalball demonstrations. We welcome (and need) volunteers to help show off the sport and recruit new players to the program. This is an all-in effort to bring new players into our once thriving goalball program. BORP's goalball program needs your volunteer support. If you can help, please get in touch with Athletic Director Brandon Young by emailing brandon@borp.org or contacting by phone or text at (510) 621-7010. Demonstration dates are January 18, February 22, and March 3.

Wednesday, January 18: The California School for the Blind (CSB) goalball team will be attending our regular Wednesday night practice. Their coach's aim is to give these high school players a different level of gameplay against more experienced players and demonstrate some advanced skills. Volunteer ask: we are seeking six people who can help so that we can give a showing of a full-speed game.

Wednesday, February 22: San Francisco State University (SFU) is hosting a resource day for its students and community. This will be similar to BORP's Opening Day event where we will demonstrate the game and then allow people in the audience to get onto the court and play the game. Volunteer ask: we are seeking six volunteers to help out at this event. A travel stipend may be available for those who need it.

Friday, March 3: UC Berkeley (UCB) is hosting an Inclusive Recreation Clinic on campus. This clinic is an effort to restart the UCB goalball class that Johnathan organized prior to the pandemic pause. That program was an innovative approach to inclusive sports on UCB's campus and has not been able to restart until now. Volunteer ask: we are seeking three volunteers to help out with the event. A small stipend is offered for those who can help.

Image: a goalball player dives for the ball mid-game.

For more information and to check out BORP’s team sports, including youth sports, please contact Brandon Young at brandon@borp.org.

Adaptive Rock Climbing: BORP + ParaCliffHangers

Questions about climbing? Email Jorge Macias jorge@borp.org

Register here for BORP + ParaCliffHangers Indoor Climbing (scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the "Bay Area Sign Up" button).

• Every Friday, 6:00- 9:00 p.m. at Berkeley Ironworks in Berkeley
• Every Second Tuesday, 2:30-8:00 p.m. and/or 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Diablo Rock Gym in Concord
• Every Fourth Sunday of the Month, 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at Pacific Pipe in Oakland

Lake Merritt Bird Stroll

with Chris Okon and Judith Smith

January 26, 2023 from 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.

Join us at beautiful Lake Merritt for an easy mid-day stroll to explore the birds that reside here year-round as well as the winter migrants. This stroll will be on level wheelchair accessible terrain. Registration required. Contact Judy via email at judithsmith313@gmail.com.

This event is co-hosted by BORP & Golden Gate Audubon Society. Limited to 15 participants.

Image: Large blue and white bird (Black crowned night heron) stands on one leg at shore's edge. A turtle clings to the shore nearby.

Wheeling Cal’s Coast

BORP recently received a grant from the CA Coastal Conservancy to revitalize and update the Wheeling Cal’s Coast website that staffer Bonnie Lewkowicz created in 2009. The site provides vetted accessibility information for coastal parks and trails from the Mexican border to the Oregon border. The first step will be to bring the website back online as soon as possible, then update it with new content. If you have a favorite coastal park or trail, let Bonnie know by emailing bonnie@borp.org so that it can be included on the website.

Adaptive Kayaking in Berkeley

BORP Kayaking is thrilled to introduce our new Kayaking Program Assistant John Griffoul! From John: I can’t wait to start working with the BORP Kayaking program! I grew up boating in the Bay Area and spent many seasons working as a raft guide in Montana. I also love to ride all sorts of bicycles all over California. I’m thrilled to be a part of BORP and to make sure everyone has the chance to enjoy all the adventure the Bay Area has to offer.

If you're interested in getting involved, as a participant or volunteer, contact Mia at: kayak@borp.org.

BORP's 21st Annual

Revolution Ride, Roll & Stroll

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Santa Rosa, California

Our Facebook page features what’s happening at BORP, news about adaptive sports, fitness, and recreation, and other issues of interest to the disability community. BORP is also on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Follow, like, and subscribe to us across all your social media platforms!

Reminder: To keep up to date on the latest protocols from BORP around masking, vaccination requirements, and more, please visit borp.org/covid-guidelines. BORP has pandemic-related safety protocols (masking and vaccination requirements) for indoor and outdoor activities, the Adventures & Outings program, and the Adaptive Cycling Center for all individuals aged 5 years and older.

Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working to improve the health, independence and social integration of people with physical disabilities and visual impairments through sports, fitness and recreation programs. www.borp.org 

Image: BORP logo in black, a stylized drawing of person in a moving wheelchair plus the words BORP adaptive sports and recreation