Sledge is the same fast-paced hockey that so many Canadians love with just a few adaptations. Instead of strapping skates to their feet, participants sit in long, narrow buckets with skate blades attached to the bottom. Players use their upper bodies to propel themselves across the ice using shortened, upside-down hockey sticks.  

While the sport takes coordination and athleticism, South Shore Para Lumberjacks coach, Dave Waters assures us that sledge is a game for everyone. “We understand that with anything new, the first time can be nerve-wracking. We team up new players with a more senior player or coach and try to ease them in slowly,” says Waters.  

Sledge hockey was created to make hockey more accessible, and the Lumberjacks embody that mentality through their inclusive programming. Weekly sessions are run through the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre and are open to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or ability.  “One of the things that makes para ice hockey unique is that about 50 percent of the team is able-bodied, and we encourage family members to play together. Be it brother and sister or parent and child, it works really well,” says Waters. 

While uncertainties around cost are often barriers for participants, the Lumberjacks offer one of the lowest-cost sports in their community. The team worked hard to secure funding and used those funds to build an inventory of equipment for players to use. And while the Lumberjacks rely on registration fees and funding for ice time and equipment, if the price to play is going to keep a potential player sidelined, they can play for free.  

Inspiration to get the program rolling came in 2016 when the World Sledge Hockey Challenge was hosted in Bridgewater. Since then, the Lumberjacks have registered 16 to 20 players every season for five seasons. The team travels as far as Fredericton to compete, and some athletes play with multiple teams.  

Nova Scotia is in the running to host the World Sledge Hockey Challenge again in 2021, and Waters believes that would be another step in the right direction for the sport. “Hosting the World Sledge Hockey Challenge would mean continuing to grow para hockey in Nova Scotia, raising awareness, and helping build plans to someday have a Nova Scotian Player on the National Team.”  

The South Shore Para Lumberjacks learn-to-play program takes place on Sundays from 4:00 pm–5:20 pm at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre and is open to new players of all ages and abilities. For more information about the program, contact coach Dave Waters at dwaters@modl.ca. More sledge hockey and parasport opportunities throughout the province can be found at parasportns.ca.  

KidSport Nova Scotia provides funding for registration and equipment costs for a variety of sport programs including sledge hockey. For more information about how to apply for KidSport, go to kidsportcanada.ca/nova-scotia