- Every week on a Monday, our Soul of Sport series takes readers behind the scenes at top sporting events
- ANDY HOOPER travelled to Dorney Lake, Windsor, for the Super Schools Initiative ‘Winter wonderwheels’
- The event encouraged more people with disabilities to be active, whilst spreading some festive magic and fun
Advertisement
Welcome back to the Soul of Sport. For our latest episode of the series, ANDY HOOPER travelled to Dorney Lake, Windsor, for the Super Schools Initiative ‘Winter Wonderwheels’.
‘Winter Wonderwheels’ was created a part of the Superhero Series – the UK’s only mass-participation sports series dedicated to people with disabilities – and encouraged 1,000 participants of all ages to be active while spreading some festive cheer.
The superheroes taking part in the event on December 3 could cycle, walk, run, push, or be pushed around the course – which had various finish lines designed to give each individual the choice of completing 1km, 5km and 10km.
Several famous faces were in attendance, with the likes of Paralympic equestrian champion Sophie Christiansen, Paralympic wheelchair basketball athlete Amy Conroy, Paralympic canoeist Anne Usher and GB Wheelchair Rugby Paralympic champion Kylie Grimes seen encouraging the participants.
Our cameraman, ANDY HOOPER, was on the ground to capture the best moments from the day, using Nikon Z9 and Z8 cameras with 24mm-70mm, 70-200mm and 400mm lenses.
Winter Wonderwheels brought people with any kind of disability together to complete a super mission (1km, 5km or 10km)
The aim of the event was to encourage more people with disabilities to be active, whilst spreading some festive magic and fun
Like all Superhero Series events, it threw out restrictive rules, encouraging people to use any ‘gadgets and gismos’ they wish
Participants choose between flying solo or teaming up with ‘Sidekicks’ (family and friends) to take on the unique challenges
With a huge emphasis on fun, Winter Wonderwheels encouraged participants to dress as their favourite Superhero
Participants used various pieces of equipment from day chairs and bikes to walking frames and trikes to get around
The participants were seen chatting and laughing with each other before setting off on their various missions
After completing their chosen distance, each participant was awarded a colourful medal to commemorate the occasion
There were over 1,500 spectators cheering on the participants as they made their way around the course on Sunday
Those that took on the unique challenge were offered as much or as little time and support that they needed to complete it
There was nothing but smiles, hugs and celebrations as the participants crossed the line after completing their missions
There was an overwhelming sense of pride in the air as these everyday superheroes completed their missions in Windsor
Sam (pictured above) couldn’t control his excitement as he crossed the finish line Dorney Lake, Windsor on Sunday
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk