Exploring inclusive sports programs is a fantastic way to engage with your community and embrace an active lifestyle. This comprehensive guide serves as Nova Scotia’s central directory for adaptive sports and parasports, connecting individuals and families in Halifax, Sydney, Truro, and across the province to local programs, organizations, and essential resources. Whether you’re interested in competitive wheelchair rugby, introductory swim lessons for youth, or accessible outdoor recreation, this guide is designed to help Nova Scotians of all abilities discover their next activity.
Jump to Sport
Alpine Skiing (Para) | Archery (Para) | Athletics (Para) | Baseball (Challenger) | Basketball (Wheelchair) | Blind Hockey | Boccia | Canoe/Kayak (Para) | Cross-Country Skiing (Para Nordic) | Curling (Wheelchair) | Cycling (Para) | Dance | Equestrian (Para) | Goalball | Golf (Para) | Hockey (Para / Sledge) | Karate (Para) | Pickleball (Wheelchair) | Powerchair Soccer | Rowing (Para) | Rugby (Wheelchair) | Sailing (Para) | Sitting Volleyball | Snowboard (Para) | Speed Sledge | Squash (Para) | Swimming (Para) | Tennis (Wheelchair) | Waterskiing (Para) | Multi-Sport Organizations | Key Resources
⛷️ Alpine Skiing (Para)
Ski Nova Scotia / CADS Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/alpine-skiing/
- Description: Para skiing in Nova Scotia is governed by Ski Nova Scotia with the support of CADS Nova Scotia. Programs are offered at locations including Martock, Ski Wentworth, Ski Ben Eoin, and Ski Cape Smokey.
🏹 Archery (Para)
Archery Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-archery/
- Description: Para Archery in Nova Scotia is governed by Archery Nova Scotia, with programs in Halifax, Windsor, and Middleton.
🏃♂️ Athletics (Para)
Athletics Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-athletics/
- Description: The governing body for Para Athletics in the province, offering integrated “try it” programs, coaching, training, and competitive opportunities for athletes with physical and visual impairments. Programs are located in Halifax, Dartmouth, Windsor, Truro, Sydney, Inverness, and Stellarton.
⚾ Baseball (Challenger)
Community-based baseball program for individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities.
Nova Scotia Challenger Baseball (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/challenger-baseball/
- Description: A community-based baseball program for individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities. For specific program locations, visit the Nova Scotia Challenger Baseball website.
🏀 Basketball (Wheelchair)
Basketball Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/wheelchair-basketball/
- Description: Governs wheelchair basketball in the province. Offers programs including “Learn to Wheel” and club teams in Halifax, New Minas, Lunenburg, Yarmouth, Pictou County, Cape Breton, and Truro.
🏒 Blind Hockey
Hockey programs for athletes with visual impairments.
Hockey Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/blind-hockey/
- Description: Blind Hockey in Nova Scotia is governed by Hockey Nova Scotia. Programs are offered in Halifax and Dartmouth.
🎯 Boccia
Precision ball sport for athletes with physical disabilities, offered in several communities.
Boccia Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/boccia/
- Description: Boccia in Nova Scotia is governed by Boccia Nova Scotia, with programs in Halifax, Kentville, Bible Hill, and Yarmouth.
🚣 Canoe/Kayak (Para)
Para canoe and kayak programs at paddling clubs in Halifax and Windsor.
Atlantic Division Canoe Kayak Canada (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-canoe-kayak/
- Description: Paracanoe in Nova Scotia is governed by the Atlantic Division Canoe Kayak Canada, with programs based at the Maskwa Aquatic Club in Halifax and the Pisiquid Canoe Club in Windsor.
⛷️ Cross-Country Skiing (Para Nordic)
Para Nordic skiing programs in Halifax.
Cross Country Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-cross-country-skiing/
- Description: Para Nordic skiing in Nova Scotia is governed by Cross Country Nova Scotia, with programs based in Halifax.
🥌 Curling (Wheelchair)
Curling Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/wheelchair-curling/
- Description: Wheelchair Curling is governed by Curling Nova Scotia. Programs are available at clubs in Sackville, Sydney, New Glasgow, Barrington, and other locations.
🚴 Cycling (Para)
Cycling Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/cycling/
- Description: Para Cycling in Nova Scotia is governed by Cycling Nova Scotia. Blind cycling programs are offered in Halifax through Blind Sports Nova Scotia.
💃 Dance
Easter Seals Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/dance/
- Description: Adaptive dance programs in Halifax are offered through Easter Seals Nova Scotia at the Halifax Dance Conservatory.
🐴 Equestrian (Para)
Therapeutic and competitive equestrian programs across the province.
Equestrian Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-equestrian/
- Description: Para Equestrian in Nova Scotia is governed by Equestrian Nova Scotia. Programs are offered at locations including Halifax Lancers, Hinchinbrook Farm, and Free Spirit Therapeutic Riding in Aylesford.
🥅 Goalball
Team sport for athletes with visual impairments, based in Halifax.
Blind Sports Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/goalball/
- Description: Goalball in Nova Scotia is governed by Blind Sports Nova Scotia, with programs based at the George Dixon Centre in Halifax.
⛳ Golf (Para)
Nova Scotia Golf Association (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-golf/
- Description: Para Golf in Nova Scotia is governed by the Nova Scotia Golf Association, with programs based at the Rosevale Golf Club in Windsor.
🏒 Hockey (Para / Sledge)
Hockey Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-hockey/
- Description: The governing body for para hockey (sledge hockey) in Nova Scotia. Offers youth and adult programs across the province in locations including Halifax, Bedford, Bridgewater, Cape Breton, Kentville, Yarmouth, Antigonish, Pictou County, Truro, and Parrsboro.
🥋 Karate (Para)
Para karate program in Halifax.
Karate Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-karate/
- Description: Para Karate in Nova Scotia is governed by Karate Nova Scotia, with programs at Murphy’s Karate Academy in Halifax.
🎾 Pickleball (Wheelchair)
Pickleball Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/wheelchair-pickleball/
- Description: Wheelchair Pickleball in Nova Scotia is governed by Pickleball Nova Scotia, with programs offered by the Pictou County Little Harbour Pickleball Club.
⚽ Powerchair Soccer
Soccer Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/powerchair-soccer/
- Description: Powerchair Soccer in Nova Scotia is governed by Soccer Nova Scotia, with programs based at the St Andrews Community Centre in Halifax.
🚣 Rowing (Para)
Para rowing program in Halifax.
Rowing Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-rowing/
- Description: Para Rowing in Nova Scotia is governed by Rowing Nova Scotia, with programs based at the Halifax Rowing Club.
🏉 Rugby (Wheelchair)
Wheelchair rugby program in Enfield.
Rugby Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/wheelchair-rugby/
- Description: Wheelchair Rugby in Nova Scotia is governed by Rugby Nova Scotia, with programs based at the Shearwater Gym in Enfield.
⛵ Sailing (Para)
Para sailing programs in Halifax, Sydney, and Lunenburg.
Sail Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-sailing/
- Description: Para Sailing in Nova Scotia is governed by Sail Nova Scotia. Programs are offered through Sailable NS at the Royal Yacht Club in Halifax, the Northern Yacht Club in Sydney, and the Lunenburg Yacht Club.
🏐 Sitting Volleyball
Sitting volleyball program in Halifax.
Volleyball Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/sitting-volleyball/
- Description: Sit Volleyball in Nova Scotia is governed by Volleyball Nova Scotia, with programs based at the Canada Games Centre in Halifax.
🏂 Snowboard (Para)
Snowboard Nova Scotia / CADS Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-snowboard/
- Description: Para Snowboard in Nova Scotia is governed by Snowboard Nova Scotia with the support of CADS Nova Scotia. Programs are offered at Martock, Ski Wentworth, Ski Ben Eoin, and Ski Cape Smokey.
⛸️ Speed Sledge
Speed sledge program in Dartmouth.
Speed Skating Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/speed-sledge/
- Description: Speed Sledge in Nova Scotia is governed by Speed Skating Nova Scotia, with programs based at the Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating RBC Centre.
🎾 Squash (Para)
Squash Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-squash/
- Description: Para Squash in Nova Scotia is governed by Squash Nova Scotia, with programs at Cole Harbour Place.
🏊 Swimming (Para)
Para swimming programs in Halifax and Windsor.
Swim Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-swimming/
- Description: Para Swimming in Nova Scotia is governed by Swim Nova Scotia, with programs at the Canada Games Centre in Halifax and Kings Edgehill School in Windsor.
🎾 Tennis (Wheelchair)
Wheelchair tennis programs in Halifax, Kentville, and Truro.
Tennis Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/wheelchair-tennis/
- Description: Wheelchair Tennis in Nova Scotia is governed by Tennis Nova Scotia. Programs are offered at the Atlantic Tennis Center in Halifax, the Kentville Tennis Club, and the Truro Tennis Club.
🏄 Waterskiing (Para)
Para waterskiing program in Cole Harbour.
Waterski Wakeboard Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/para-waterskiing/
- Description: Para Waterski in Nova Scotia is governed by Waterski Wakeboard Nova Scotia, with programs based at Morris Lake in Cole Harbour.
🏅 Multi-Sport Organizations
Key organizations coordinating and promoting adaptive sports across Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Parasports (Provincial)
- Website: www.parasportns.com/
- Description: The central hub and resource for parasport in Nova Scotia. Programs are run by various community organizations across the province, from grassroots to Paralympic levels.
Special Olympics Nova Scotia (Provincial)
- Website: specialolympicsns.ca/
- Description: The provincial organization dedicated to providing year-round sport training and competition opportunities for children and adults with an intellectual disability through community-based regional programs.
Special Olympics Halifax (Halifax)
- Website: www.specialolympicshfx.ca/
- Description: The largest regional chapter of Special Olympics Nova Scotia, offering year-round sports training and athletic competition.
