Muntele Mick was left small before the courage, determination and passion for skiing and the enthusiasm of the special needs members of the SMile Kayak Association. With their extremely atypical and courageous actions, people with disabilities proved to Romania and the whole world that there are no limitations and that as long as there is a desire, they can do anything they set their mind to.​

Do you know what is really special about people with special needs? COURAGE!

Courage to move forward despite all challenges and meet them with a big smile. This is what makes them truly special. There are no restrictions. No, you can’t. Nothing stands in their way when they set their sights on something. Even a wheelchair. People with disabilities can do anything. I can conquer the highest peaks, literally and figuratively. Ionuţ Stancovici and his special team members from SMile Kayak Association show us this through a fantastic heliskiing experience on Muntele Mic:

“When I see them enjoying the slopes, I know that I always have to take them further, further. I said to please them and let’s do a more unusual action together, in a hard-to-reach place, so that it will really be an unforgettable experience that will give them the confidence that they can do anything. What I do, they can!” – Jonuts Stankovichi, founder of the SMile Kayaking Association

helicopter. Little mountain. People with disabilities from the Caiac SMile team and all their courage and passion. They flew literally and figuratively. They have reached the highest heights. And this proves once again that there are no boundaries for people with special needs.

“The education they give us when we’re on the slopes or during promotions is very important. People around me come up and say, “Wow, Jonutz, I didn’t think I’d see anything like this.” I was afraid of something like that, but if they are not afraid, how should I be?” – Ionuts Stankovichi

Kayak Smile turns disabilities into skills through sport

Through sport, SMile Kayak Association turns disabilities into skills and fears into smiles. The Heliski promotion at Muntele Mic is fantastic, it is a manifesto and a strong signal to all disabled people in Romania that they can and can do extraordinary things with the Caiac SMile team. Currently, the association is conducting the project “Adapted ski camps”, an expansion of last year’s project “And people with disabilities want to ski”, but on a much larger scale.

About the project: “People with disabilities also want to ski”

In the 2021-2022 winter season, the kayaking association SMile launched the project “And people with disabilities want to ski”, thanks to which it was possible to make slopes throughout the country accessible to people with locomotor disabilities, equipping them with 13 monoskis.

In addition, they organized activities on each of the slopes and taught observers and rescuers how to use monoskis on the slopes of Kavnik, Vatra Dornei, Cluj-Napoca, Ceile Hradistei, Poiana Brasov, Bushteni, Predial, Peltinis. And with the accessibility of the slopes for people with disabilities, it became necessary to expand winter sports for them at the level of self-study. The association has taken a big step in this regard, with special members of the Caiac SMile Club becoming accredited ski instructors in the winter of 2022.

And in the winter season of 2022-2023. 1,000 people with special needs ski.

For all disabled people who want to learn to ski on their own, the Association has expanded the project “Disabled people also want to ski”, but at a much higher level. The passion for adventure and the desire to do sports of special people impressed him. Thus, starting from the 2022-2023 season, they intend to reach at least 1,000 people with disabilities who want to enjoy the winter skiing season.

In each camp, five people with locomotor disabilities and their companions will learn to ride mono-skis on their own. During the 6-day camp, the beneficiaries are introduced to all the key concepts and safety concepts of this sport, practice the techniques and procedures that they will later strengthen, the program aims to practice skiing adapted by themselves.

In addition to the 40 people registered in special camps, members of the association will be available on the slopes for other people with various disabilities who want to learn to ski or experience the joy of sliding on the snow with an instructor who will walk them in monoskis. The day program, which will run additionally, will include a full experience of adapted skiing at the basic level.

Together we are #limitless.

You can watch a film of the story here. Joined the campaign: Mirela Retegan, Alex Dima, Cătălin Măruță, Mihai Găinușă, Mihai Cioată

Article supported by Aqua Carpatica