Manitoba's only parasailor soaks in the moment at Canada Games
Bryson Foy, 17, competes at his home sailing club in Gimli at Canada Summer Games
Despite brisk winds and stomach-churning waves, Winnipeg's Bryson Foy had a very good day on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old parasailor ranked second and then third in the day's parasailing races in Gimli, Man., at the Canada Summer Games — even though stormy weather caused his boat's hull to fill up like a bathtub and wake to spray up in his face like a garden hose.
Impressed not because of bravado, but because he is so humble. The Manitoba teen did not expect to sail into medal territory at his first Canada Games.
Foy has only been racing sailboats for three years and he is the only Manitoban competing in the mixed, all-ages parasailing event at the Games.
"I never thought I would come to Canada Summer Games," he said.
He still has four races left — two on Thursday and two more Friday — before finding out whether he will win a medal for the province.
On the shore with a camera in hand, his dad, Neal Foy, beamed with pride.
"It's just a great moment to be able to see him sailing for our province," said Neal.
His son was born missing part of his left arm just below the elbow.
Bryson Foy has never seen his disability as a roadblock — he participates in shop class with use of a special prosthetic, he's involved with the War Amps and he steers a sailboat with the help of specialized foot pedals.
"His disability has never held him back from anything. It makes him a little more stubborn and a lot more determined," said Neal Foy with a laugh.
Bryson Foy's coach, Willie MacDonald, said it's impressive to see him doing so well, given that his training opportunities are limited compared to sailors who have access to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
With that kind of performance and determination, the Paralympics could be on the horizon.
"If he can be this good with only four months of sailing a year, imagine how he's going to be with 10 or 12 months a year," said MacDonald.
This year, the Grade 12 Miles Macdonell Collegiate student is eager to sail as much as he can before Lake Winnipeg freezes.
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On the large, cloudy lake, Foy said waves sometimes make riding in his boat feel like being inside a paint can that's being shaken at the hardware store.
He has to hold on with his right arm and steer with his feet, while operating the ropes necessary to adjust his sails and pick up speed.
"You get shaken up, you get tossed around, if you're going one way you get tossed to the other side.… It all adds to the experience," he said.
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