Our Story
Blind Fitness was founded in 2021 with the purpose of providing more opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision to engage in physical and recreational activities. Too often, people with vision loss are unable to participate in sports and recreational activities due to the challenges related to accessibility. Blind Fitness and its events have been created not because people who are blind or have low vision are incapable of exercising independently, but because their ability to exercise independently is often undermined by inaccessible construction, infrastructure, and limited societal beliefs. Blind Fitness was established to remedy this by providing a service with the blind and low vision community that makes fitness and recreational opportunities more accessible and to create opportunities that allow them to navigate these structures in order to enjoy sports and fitness while engaging with their community.
In 2021, a Blind Fitness athlete was selected to represent the United States in the International Surfing Association World Parasurfing competition. As a result of this international involvement, Blind Fitness began to form a group of leaders, athletes, educators and coaches to address the needs of people with vision loss in order to help structure and promote fitness activities for and with people who are blind or have low vision. Blind Fitness offers an ever evolving menu of group and 1:1 fitness and recreational activities such as surfing, running, cycling, outrigger canoeing, hiking, yoga, and strength and resistance training!
In addition to providing people who are blind or have low vision with fitness opportunities, Blind Fitness is dedicated to changing society’s negative stereotypes and limited beliefs concerning the abilities of people who are blind or have low vision. We combat these stereotypes by educating the public and directly addressing any barriers that might impact the blind and low vision community. People who have experienced gradual, sudden or lifelong vision loss (or any disability for that matter) understand that their experience has a lot to offer. Contrary to conventional definitions and perceptions of blindness, people with vision loss are not lost, confused, or living in a constant state of chaos. They have learned to slow down and pay attention. To listen and to feel. Thank you for having the curiosity and courage to step into the world of the blind. It is one that is beautiful and complex, as are all lives. So let us take good care of each other. Let's go Blind Fitness!
In 2021, a Blind Fitness athlete was selected to represent the United States in the International Surfing Association World Parasurfing competition. As a result of this international involvement, Blind Fitness began to form a group of leaders, athletes, educators and coaches to address the needs of people with vision loss in order to help structure and promote fitness activities for and with people who are blind or have low vision. Blind Fitness offers an ever evolving menu of group and 1:1 fitness and recreational activities such as surfing, running, cycling, outrigger canoeing, hiking, yoga, and strength and resistance training!
In addition to providing people who are blind or have low vision with fitness opportunities, Blind Fitness is dedicated to changing society’s negative stereotypes and limited beliefs concerning the abilities of people who are blind or have low vision. We combat these stereotypes by educating the public and directly addressing any barriers that might impact the blind and low vision community. People who have experienced gradual, sudden or lifelong vision loss (or any disability for that matter) understand that their experience has a lot to offer. Contrary to conventional definitions and perceptions of blindness, people with vision loss are not lost, confused, or living in a constant state of chaos. They have learned to slow down and pay attention. To listen and to feel. Thank you for having the curiosity and courage to step into the world of the blind. It is one that is beautiful and complex, as are all lives. So let us take good care of each other. Let's go Blind Fitness!
