January 17, 2012

There are hundreds of things 18-year-old Jeremy Ferrer can do.

Skating is one of them. Seeing isn't.

"It's a fun and interesting program – it's all good," says Jeremy, who is legally blind.

A senior at North Surrey Secondary, Jeremy is among a dozen students from the Surrey School District who are taking part in Courage Canada's blind skating program.

A non-profit organization dedicated to increasing athletic opportunities for people who are visually impaired, Courage Canada provides leadership and blind hockey workshops to school districts across the country.

In Surrey, students in grades 5 through 12 are taking part in a series of on- and off-ice workshops at the Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex. Each session has a theme – courage, advocacy, healthy living and leadership – with the final session in April culminating in a blind hockey scrimmage to showcase what the students have learned.

"It's really fun and I always learn something new," says Josh Guillemand, 17, from Lord Tweedsmuir secondary.

Joanna Angelidis, district teacher of the visual impaired/district orientation and mobility specialist, says the Courage Canada program provides students with visual impairments an opportunity to experience the thrill of overcoming challenges and builds confidence.

"I've watched them progress, and they really are amazing. You'd never guess they were visually impaired."

Blind hockey is played using a puck that makes noise. Traditionally, athletes with the most functional vision play forward as they are able to make and receive passes, as well as locate the net for shots. Lower vision athletes and totally blind skaters tend to play defence where they can focus on interrupting the play and clearing the puck aside.

Players with the least vision or no vision play goalie as they do not need to orient themselves while skating around.

Surrey students with visual impairments are learning how to play blind hockey.

Last Updated: January 17, 2012