Participating in inclusive sports and recreation is vital for community connection and well-being. This comprehensive guide serves as the central directory for adaptive sports and parasports in Newfoundland and Labrador, connecting individuals and families in St. John’s, Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and across the province to local programs, organizations, and resources. Whether you’re seeking competitive parasports, introductory youth activities, or accessible recreation, this guide is designed to help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians of all abilities get in the game.
Jump to Sport
Multi-Sport Hubs | Archery | Basketball (Wheelchair) | Boccia | Climbing (Adaptive) | Cycling | Curling | Dance (Adaptive) | Goalball | Hockey (Sledge) | Sailing | Shooting | Skiing (Alpine & Nordic) | Swimming (Adaptive) | Therapeutic Riding | Sports for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability
🏠 Multi-Sport Hubs
Central organizations that offer a variety of programs or serve as key connectors for other opportunities.
ParasportNL (Provincial)
- Website: parasportnl.ca/
- Description: The central hub for over 25 parasports. They support persons with physical disabilities in finding and participating in sports and work with Provincial Sport Organizations to develop opportunities. They list support for sports including Para Alpine & Para Nordic skiing, Goalball, Para Ice Hockey, Curling, Boccia, Wheelchair Basketball, Athletics, Swimming, Shooting, and Tandem Cycling
Easter Seals NL – Let’s Get Active (St. John’s)
- Website: eastersealsnl.ca/what-we-do/programs/
- Description: An introductory multi-sport program for all ages to develop movement skills and explore parasports like wheelchair basketball, boccia, and sledge hockey.
Recreation NL – Inclusive Recreation (Provincial)
- Website: recreationnl.com/inclusive-recreation/
- Description: Provides advice, guidance, support, and funding for inclusive recreation and parasport development across the province. They offer a “You Can Play Too!” workshop and maintain a list of parasport group contacts.
🏹 Archery (Adaptive)
Easter Seals NL – Archery (St. John’s)
- Website: eastersealsnl.ca/what-we-do/programs/archery/
- Description: Outdoor archery program for participants of all abilities. All equipment is provided. Program runs in the summer months, weather dependent.
🏀 Basketball (Wheelchair)
Easter Seals NL – Wheelchair Basketball (St. John’s)
- Website: eastersealsnl.ca/what-we-do/programs/program-no-2/
- Description: Offers an Introductory Session for fundamentals and a Development Session for advanced drills and gameplay. Sport wheelchairs are provided.
🎯 Boccia
The provincial partner of Boccia Canada, offering recreational, development, and junior programs.
Easter Seals NL – Boccia (St. John’s)
- Website: eastersealsnl.ca/what-we-do/programs/boccia/
- Description: The official home of Boccia NL. Offers Community (recreational) and Development (competitive training) sessions, plus a separate Junior Boccia program. This precision sport is one of only two Paralympic sports without an Olympic counterpart.
🧗 Climbing (Adaptive / Wall Climbing)
Program with a fully accessible climbing wall and adaptive equipment.
Easter Seals NL – Wall Climbing (St. John’s)
- Website: eastersealsnl.ca/what-we-do/programs/
- Description: Features a 24-foot fully accessible climbing wall with adaptive equipment and trained volunteer belayers.
🚴 Cycling (Adaptive/Tandem)
Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador (Para-Cycling)
- Website: www.bicyclenl.com
- Description: The provincial cycling association for information on para-cycling and tandem programs.
🥌 Curling (Wheelchair)
Wheelchair Curling (Provincial)
- Description: ParasportNL and Curling NL are working together to create opportunities for people who want to give Wheelchair Curling a try. Want to play, Coach or Volunteer?
- Contact: Call Joanne 709 576-0303 or Cecilia 709 437 6661
💃 Dance (Adaptive / Dansability)
Easter Seals NL – Dansability (St. John’s)
- Website: eastersealsnl.ca/what-we-do/programs/
- Description: Adaptive dance program with Performance Group and creative Movement streams.
🥅 Goalball
Goalball (Provincial)
- Website: parasportnl.ca/
- Description: A Paralympic team sport for athletes with visual impairments. Contact ParasportNL for information on training or local teams.
🏒 Hockey (Sledge/Para Ice)
Easter Seals NL – Sledge Hockey (St. John’s)
- Website: eastersealsnl.ca/what-we-do/programs/
- Description: Recreational introduction to sledge hockey. All equipment (sledge, sticks, jersey) is provided.
Labrador City Sledge Hockey Program
- For more info, contact Dayna Payne – [email protected]
⛵ Sailing (Adaptive)
Able Sail NL (Conception Bay South / St. John’s)
- Website: www.ablesailnl.ca/
- Description: AbleSailNL provides qualified instruction, equipment, and access to both recreational and competitive sailing for people with physical, intellectual, and visual disabilities.
🎯 Shooting (Para / Target Shooting)
Safe, inclusive target shooting program in an indoor range.
Easter Seals NL – Target Shooting (St. John’s)
- Website: eastersealsnl.ca/what-we-do/programs/
- Description: Safe, inclusive target shooting program with trained volunteers, held in a converted indoor range.
⛷️ Skiing (Alpine & Nordic)
Organizations for adaptive cross-country and downhill skiing.
Para-Skiing (Nordic – Cross-Country)
- Website: crosscountrynl.com/
- Organization: Cross Country Newfoundland and Labrador (CCNL)
Para-Skiing (Alpine – Downhill)
- Website: cads-nl.ca/
- Description: Canadian Adaptive Snowsports – NL (CADS-NL)
🏊 Swimming (Adaptive)
Personalized, one-on-one swimming sessions in St. John’s.
Easter Seals NL – Swim Program (St. John’s)
- Website: eastersealsnl.ca/what-we-do/programs/
- Description: Offers personalized, one-on-one 30-minute sessions at the Ches Penney Family YMCA.
City of St. John’s – Adapted Swim Lessons (St. John’s)
- Website: www.stjohns.ca/en/recreation-culture/lessons.aspx
- Description: The city offers a “Swim Adapted” program providing individualized, one-on-one 45-minute lessons.
YMCA of Newfoundland and Labrador – Accessible Aquatics (Provincial)
- Website: ymcanl.com/program-category/aquatics/
- Description: YMCA branches provide accessible equipment such as water wheelchairs, portable lifts, and accessible changing tables.
🐎 Therapeutic Riding
Rainbow Riders Therapeutic Riding Centre (St. John’s)
- Website: www.rainbowridersnl.com/
- Description: Offers therapeutic horseback riding with CanTRA-certified instructors.
🏅 Sports for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability
Provincial and community sports programs through Special Olympics.
Special Olympics NL (Provincial)
- Website: www.specialolympics.ca/newfoundland-and-labrador/
- Description: The main organization for sports programs for athletes with an intellectual disability.
Special Olympics NL – Corner Brook Vikings (Corner Brook)
- Website: www.specialolympics.ca/newfoundland-and-labrador/community-clubs/corner-brook-vikings/
- Description: To get involved with the Special Olympics NL Corner Brook Vikings Community Club as an athlete, coach, or volunteer please reach out to them directly through the Provincial Office at 709 738 1923 or email [email protected]
Special Olympics NL – Unified Sports® Varsity Program (Provincial)
- Website: www.specialolympics.ca/newfoundland-and-labrador/what-we-do/sports-and-programs/unified-sports-school-programs/
- Description: A school-based program that integrates students with and without intellectual disabilities on teams for sport training and competition. Participating schools are listed by region on the website.
