Tyler took up Cross Country Skiing as a form of rehabilitation from his spinal cord injury. After spend a winter watching the snow fly from inside his house in Whistler, Tyler needed a change. He thought Cross Country Skiing would help his mobility, core strength and self esteem by getting outdoors in a passive manner. He had no idea how hard it would be. Not only was he paralyzed in the backs of his legs, but It is super hard to ski well. A year later he was looking at what it would take to race and met the Canadian National Team Coach in April of 2003. Eight Months Later, Tyler set a goal to compete in the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games for Canada in Para-Nordic events. Seven years later he did it. Through goal setting and perseverance, Tyler competed at the games in a sport he took up at 30 years of age after his spinal cord injury. He was part of the National Relay Team for Cross Country and came 7th, 21st in 10km Classic and 19th in the Classic Sprint. Tyler now looks forward to the 2011 season when he is attempting to accomplish what only about a 100 people in the world have; complete all three 55km Classic Ski Marathons called Birkebeiner. This race originated in Norway and people all around the world compete in these epic races located in three countries. However, there is a catch, Tyler is going to do all three in one year and not even 10 people are known to accomplish this. So keep in touch to see how it Works out. The Races are in Edmonton Canada February 12, Wisconsin USA February 26 and Lillehammer Norway March 19, 2011. Wish me luck! T
For more information on Para-Nordic Skiing please go to www.cccski.com.