Hello world, I am Kurt Oatway and I am a Para alpine skier currently training and racing in order to gain a spot on the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team, and eventually participate in a Paralympic Winter Games. The following quasi biography is a brief history of my past skiing as well as how I got involved in Para-Alpine skiing and a short breakdown of my last few seasons. Future posts will document ongoing races and results as well as new opportunities that I may or may not be a part of.
I am a 28 year old sit skier living in Calgary, Alberta. What you may be asking yourself is, “What is “sit skiing”?” I am an Alpine skier who uses a monoski, also known as a sit-ski, which consists of a molded seat mounted on a metal frame.
In September 2007 as a Geology student with the University of Saskatchewan, my class was on a field school in Utah studying sedimentary environments when I fell 12 meters off a rock outcrop. I landed on my feet with my head between my knees. Any other position and the doctors have said I would probably not be here to tell you this.
The human body isn’t designed to absorb a fall from that height. I suffered a radial compression fracture of the T12 vertebrae resulting in an incomplete spinal cord injury. The fall of 2007 and most of 2008 was a period of surgery, physiotherapy and recovery and eventually some semblance of returning to a normal routine, that is, without the full use of my legs as I had prior to September 2007.
Fast forward to February 2010, Vancouver and the 21st Winter Olympics. Throughout my youth I had enjoyed alpine skiing and racing at a club level, so naturally I gravitated towards the alpine events. It was while watching these events that I told myself that “I had had enough” and decided that I wanted to start skiing again, regardless of the method because it was something I really enjoyed. I had no illusions of actually competing in any para-alpine competitions. That would come later.
At the age of five I started to alpine ski. At the age of six I was enrolled in the Nancy Green Ski League. I was very competitive and wanted to do as well as my older brother. This competitiveness allowed me to progress quickly through the K1 to J2 levels. Although I was too young to remember much or to fully appreciate the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, I would be lying if I said that I never thought about one day participating in an Olympic Games.
Unfortunately, due to finances, a move from Edmonton to Calgary, and possibly just growing up, my interests shifted. I focused my teen years on the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Program by taking an interest in Aviation, Wilderness Survival, and Biathlon until ageing out of cadets at 19 and graduating High School. Subsequently I enrolled at Mount Royal College majoring in geology as a part of a two year transfer program where I transferred to the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and enrolled in the Natural Science program majoring in geology.
In order to overcome the injury that delayed my studies I took it upon myself, with the support of family, friends, and the University to finish my geology degree. I successfully graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 2010 with my Bachelor of Science majoring in geology.
The Seasons so far:
With the 2010 Vancouver Olympics over it was time to act on my decision and start skiing again. I talked to my physiotherapist who contacted the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiers (CADS) in Saskatoon. The following weekend they brought me to the Mission Ridge Ski Hill north of Regina and introduced me to my future coach. Understanding my physical limitations I decided to try skiing on borrowed equipment. I quickly adapted to this new style of skiing. It felt natural and I progressed rapidly and was easily convinced to join the Regina Alpine Ski Team.
I called my Mom and surprised her with the request to bring my ski clothing and video camera to Regina the following weekend. She had no idea I was doing this.
Less than a month later I was in Panorama BC with the Saskatchewan Team at a race. Coming down a training run I was being watched by my Saskatchewan Coach and a manager from Alpine Canada when the manager asks, “How many years has he been sit-skiing?” To which my coach answered, “This is his 7th day!” it seems I was a natural.
Season #1
The 2010/2011 season was my first full training and racing season. I attended the Kimberly International Speed Event where I placed 10th and 14th in the Downhills and 13th in the Super-G. At the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax Nova Scotia I finished 5th overall (2nd in the sitting category) for the Giant Slalom event. I then placed 5th in the Slalom and 11th in the Giant Slalom, at Canadian Nationals in Kimberly I plaed 11th in the Giant Slalom and 5th in Slalom.
My first season ended on a high note when I was invited to train with the Canadian Para-Alpine Team at Nakiska as a part of their Prospects Program. I had one on one coaching from the National Team coaches and was able to ski with many members of the Canadian Para-Alpine Team. It was an extremely motivating experience.
Season #2
Things just kept on getting better for the 2011/2012 Season. With the assistance of the Regina Alpine Race Team, the Canadian International Paralympic Committee and Petro-Canada I was able to obtain a new Nissin sit-ski.
With the start of a new season and the support I was getting from my family and team it became clear that becoming a member of the national team and eventually participating in an Olympic Games was a distinct reality. I could now concentrate on making my goals a reality.
In November and early December I was able to participate in some joint training with the Alberta Provincial Para Alpine Team, which served to supplement the my normal training routine. Also In January I got another opportunity to train with the Canadian Para Alpine Ski Team in Kimberly in preparation for the downhill in February.
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