Truckee, CA –Today, MakeAHero.org and Northstar California Resort in Truckee will introduce Arizona State University wrestling phenom Anthony Robles to snow for the very first time. Accompanied by his family, Robles will have his first experience on snow at the , learning to ski from local adaptive sports instructor, Bill Bowness.
“Anthony has never let anything slow him down, so when he expressed interest in learning to ski, we wanted to help him achieve his next goal,” said Kurt Miller of MakeAHero.org. “We have teamed up with Northstar as Anthony wanted to learn to ski at the place where some of the best in the world come to train. Northstar is the ideal location to learn, and we’ve also partnered with local adaptive sports instructor, Bill Bowness, to get Anthony on the snow for the very first time.”
Born with just one leg, Robles, 23, went on to win the 2010-11 NCAA individual wrestling championship (against all able-bodied competitors) in the 125-pound weight class. Robles is a two-time ESPY award winner, an inductee to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the exclusive motivational speaker for the Washington Speakers Bureau.
“I’ve always wanted to learn to ski. When this opportunity arose, I didn’t want to pass it up. Being trained by the best, at the best ski resort, is something I’m really excited about,” said Robles.
Bowness, also an adaptive skier, was awarded the first-ever adaptive slot on the PSIA Alpine Team in 2004, promptly earning the respect of fellow team members for his ability to instruct able-bodied alpine skiers of all levels just as well as adaptive skiers. Bowness is a silver and bronze medal-winning Paralympic athlete and the current technical director at Disabled Sports-Far West.
MakeAHero.org camera crews will document Robles’ experience on snow this weekend, creating a web video to share with people around the world. Raising awareness and funds in support of sports opportunities for people with disabilities is at the heart of MakeAHero.org’s mission. The organization’s 40-minute documentary, The Movement, is currently touring the country with more than eight scheduled film festival appearances. “We’re sharing amazing stories like Anthony’s,” said Miller, “and we’re working to make a positive impact on the lives of real people everyday.”
In the January Sundance Film Festival premiere of The Movement, MakeAHero.org featured 24-year-old wounded Army veteran, Jesse Murphree. In just three days of instruction, Murphree was carving fast turns down the mountain with his best friend and childhood snowboarding buddy rushing to keep up. Murphree joined other athletes featured in The Movement—including world-record holders, Paralympic medalists, and everyday heroes—on the Sundance red carpet.