By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — As he took control of a handcycle for the first time, the look on Quinn Nielson’s face was equal parts hard work and joy.

His arms pumped back and forth as he manoeuvred around the gym at Craik School using the hand-propelled, three-wheeled vehicle.

It didn’t take long for Quinn to get the hang of it, and soon he was picking up speed, making sharper turns as he continued doing loops of the room.

His sister Maren — like him, a Grade 12 student at Craik — also had a go at the handcycle, with every bit as much enthusiasm as her brother had.

“I need one of those,” she said afterward, grinning widely. “I don’t know how good this is going to go over with Mom.”

The handcycle was brought to Craik School on Tuesday by a group of athletes headed across the province on the Saskatchewan Para-Sport Tour Dream Relay.

Between June 8 and 17, the team of 14 athletes travelled from Prince Albert to Regina to promote parasports and physical activity in general, and to recruit new athletes.

“Sport changes lives, and we’re having a ball,” said organizer Colette Bourgonje, “and we want to change other people’s lives as well.”

The 363-kilometre tour included stops at six schools — Queen Mary in Prince Albert, Duck Lake, Warman, Hanley, Craik and Lumsden.

For the full story, please see the June 20 print edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.