Active Summer Fun: 'Find your local golf club and have a go!'
A new participation campaign created by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) and National Disability Sport Organisations (NDSOs) is encouraging more disabled people to find out and play out over summer. Active Summer Fun -#ActiveSummerFun on social media - is an exciting new campaign that aims to support more disabled people to find ways to be active during the warmer months.
This summer we will be hearing from various disabled people, who lead active lifestyles in all sorts of ways. We hear how they are expecting the next few months to be very busy!
Today we hear from Andy Skinner from London. He discusses the all-weather wonders of golf, and how being active helps him both physically and mentally.
Andy’s Active Summer Fun:
While golf may seem like leisure, you use your body a lot and you cover something like five miles on a golf course. I can manage that, and there’s mental exercise too, a real workout.
I’m a leg amputee – I had a bike accident many years ago then nine years ago I got septicemia so had my leg removed. I’m 45 now and was 21 when I had my accident.
Golf is much more fun out in the sun, though not if it’s too hot because, as an amputee doing exercise, I’m inclined to sweat much more than a non-disabled person might. And as a sport it’s suitable for playing in all weathers.
I have always been very active – growing up, then as an adult as a Great Britain Sitting Volleyball player, I’ve always kept fit and have reaped the benefits of being active.
In terms of golf, someone contacted me from my local golf club near Roehampton in South West London. They simply asked me if I wanted to have a go at it.
The first time I tried it was great, but I wasn’t very good. It was different as well, which was good because I’m always up for trying something new.
I’ll continue to be very active this summer. I’m playing with the European Disabled Golf Association this season, I use the gym every night and I also tend to swim after the gym session. As it’s the summer I’m playing golf roughly every other evening. I suppose I do about 16 hours a week of exercise.
If a disabled person is considering taking up golf then find your local club and talk to their professional. Ask them for support, and maybe they can put you in touch with the County Sports Partnership. England Golf is really active in promoting opportunities. EFDS has all sorts of connections.
Find your local club, have a go on their driving range and if you like it practise, practise and practise again.
You can find out more about Active Summer Fun here. LimbPower is an NDSO involved in the campaign. LimbPower supports amputees and people with limb impairments to find the right sport and leisure activity for their needs and ability. Find an activity near you. For more information or how to get involved contact Jamie Blair, England Golf Disability Officer.
