Adapted sports and leisure

In the mountains

Climbing and high mountains

The deaf and visually impaired, the mentally handicapped and the psychologically stabilized can climb to the summits with specialized instructors, provided they are in good physical condition and alert to the risks of the mountains.

FTT or all-terrain wheelchair

The equivalent of a mountain bike on 4 wheels, FTT can be practised as a leisure activity or in competition, and provides extreme sensations. But it can't be improvised without safety and preparation. Models are adapted to the type of activity (leisure, touring or competition)
but also to the type of disability.

The Joëlette

The mountains can become a playground of discovery. Created by Joël Claudel, the Joëlette has never stopped improving. Equipped with a single central wheel and pushed and pulled by two guides, the Joëlette can go almost anywhere, and its design guarantees absolute safety for the person being transported. A brilliant machine! Information: www.joeletteandco.com

Paragliding

Thanks to wheelchairs based on FTT technology, even severely disabled people can now fly alone or with the assistance of a pilot. The wheelchair enables the pilot to take off while rolling. Once the canopy is up, the pilot, wheelchair and
passenger take to the skies. Several models are available from different manufacturers.

Downhill skiing

This is one of the sports that attracts the most disabled people, because it offers unique sensations and the equipment available is both varied and effective. In the regional pages of this guide, you'll find a list of resorts and ski schools that are open and accessible
to people with reduced mobility: most of them have equipment and offer the services of instructors trained to supervise and train disabled skiers. Some stand out from the crowd, such as La Plagne and the Association Antenne Handicap, or the ski school launched by Marc Gostoli.

Nordic sledging

Designed for seated cross-country skiing, this sled is suitable for people with lower-limb disabilities. With its shell, frame and skis propelled by two hand-held poles, an attendant is often indispensable.

Ski sleds

Here's a leisure activity that's no different from a sled used by the able-bodied: all that's required is to adapt the sled's chassis to accommodate disabled people. All you need to do is adapt the sled's chassis to the needs of the disabled, and you're on your way to sensations worthy of Jack London's novels!

At the sea

Swimming

The bathing and beach chairs available on the market enable access to bathing areas and the launching of the motor-disabled person, enabling families to share the pleasures of bathing by the sea or lake. Some Handiplage-labeled beaches are equipped with such facilities. Handiplage criteria include wheelchairs (seahorse and tiralo), human presence (handiplagists and lifeguards), accessibility (reserved parking spaces, equipped roll-on roll-off areas, accessible WCs and showers) and warning systems (audioplage).

Blokart

Similar to a sand yacht, the Blokart is light, maneuverable and easy to use. Fun and easy to use, it can be enjoyed by all ages and on all types of wind-exposed terrain.

Sand yachting

To practice, you need to have good upper-limb autonomy, as the manual controls require a firm grip. Tandem sand yachting allows the more severely handicapped to enjoy the thrill of gliding along long, windy beaches. The Fédération Française de Char à Voile works hand in hand with the Fédération Française Handisport: this close collaboration enables us to adapt equipment and train instructors in the best possible conditions. The equipment used includes Mini 4 and Mini 5 one-designs with removable adaptation kits, as well as two-seater tanks. For the address of the Club nearest you or your vacation destination, visit www.ffcv.org

Diving

Paraplegics, lower-limb or upper-limb amputees, polio sufferers who have the use of their upper limbs or lower limbs, and quadriplegics (in protected sites with specialized instructors) can, depending on the decision of the disabled sports medical commission, practice diving. Once the application has been validated, the fact remains that the disability is not soluble in water and that (beyond the learning curve required for any new activity) the constraints remain. That's why it's essential to have competent, specially-trained instructors, backed up if need be by a medical team. Nevertheless, handi-diving is particularly suited to those who have difficulty moving around on land, as water offers better conditions of movement and the sensation of great autonomy. Good autonomy is appreciated right from the boat's deck, when it comes to preparing equipment, dressing, undressing and stowing away gear. Stabilizing jackets with Direct System and submersible pressure gauge are a real revolution for disabled divers, providing relative autonomy. A double mono regulator has been made compulsory by the French Ministry of Sport. Dives are short and shallow, and always no-stop. Diving can potentially be practiced in any diving club, but for lack of equipment, training and supervision, most prefer not to. We have listed a number of clubs open to the disabled throughout this guide. Information: https://ffessm.fr/handisub/handisub

Sailing

Whether at sea or on a lake, sailing can be practised on adapted boats that won't tip over, accompanied or in complete autonomy. Information: umbraco.ffvoile.fr/espace-handivalide/

In the air

Planes and ULMs

Because flying an airplane or microlight is not incompatible with disability, a coordination unit has been set up by the various air sports federations (hang-gliding, microlighting, parachuting, gliding and traditional aviation, etc.) and the French Handisport Federation. The conditions for access to a cockpit for a flight lesson are as follows: you must be able to climb in and out of the cockpit without outside assistance, and pass a medical examination authorizing you to attempt the pilot's license. Simply contact the air base nearest to your home or vacation destination to make an appointment. Note that obtaining this medical certificate can be an obstacle course. A word of advice: be persistent!

For further information, please contact Fédération Française Aéronautique - www.ffa-aero.fr

Other sports

Motor sports

Quads and go-karts: a number of companies offer quads and go-karts adapted for the disabled, with special saddles and automatic transmissions. It's best to know how to handle these machines beforehand, and above all to have a valid driving license. Go-karts can be driven on approved circuits, but quads are ideal for country lanes and undergrowth.

Bikes and handbikes

Handbikes: from leisure activities with friends or family to competitions where the best reach an average speed of 40 km/h, with downhill peaks of 70 km/h, handbikes are synonymous with new-found freedom. Like its cousin the bicycle, the handbike is powered by a similar crankset, chain and derailleur. Only the frame differs.
Information: paracycling - www.paracyclisme-handisport.fr / Cyclisme handisport - www.handisport.org / Sport handi nature - www.sporthandinature.fr

Riding

The therapeutic effects of riding horses on mentally handicapped people have been proven. Numerous equestrian centers are open to this practice - pony or horse. You'll find the addresses of some of them in this guide. Don't forget that riding is also open to people with motor disabilities, and that carriage driving can be an excellent way of tackling the subject. Mechanical aids (lifts) are available, and saddles have already been adapted. Wheelchair-accessible platforms that place the rider at saddle height have also been installed in adapted riding schools. Information: www.equiref.com/annuaire/equitherapieequicie/france/federation-nationale-handi-cheval