Ultimate Para Sports Association

What Ultimate Para Sports Association does

Ultimate Para Sports Association (UPSA) is a Calgary-based, Alberta-domiciled non-profit founded in 2020 that provides adaptive sport programming for people with disabilities across all ages and ability levels. UPSA delivers a multi-sport portfolio spanning recreational para-cycling, development racing, para-cycling tours, junior adapted indoor cycling (Learn2Ride), adapted nordic skiing, adapted scuba diving under the Freedom Adapted Scuba brand, wheelchair racing support, para-alpine skiing support, and a guided meditation wellness program delivered via the third-party Waking Up service. Programming operates seasonally — cycling from May through September and nordic skiing from January through April — with on-site delivery at Bowness in Calgary, Mount Royal University Recreation's 200m track, and Canmore Nordic Centre, plus weekend tours through Banff and Calgary bike trails.

The organization's core technology is non-proprietary and operationally focused on adaptive sports equipment (handcycles, sit-skis, nordic skiing gear, wheelchair racing equipment) rather than software platforms. Distribution combines community-led and direct-to-consumer channels: a self-serve online registration via Zone4, free 'Try It For Free' handcycling taster sessions, a Fee Exemption Program for financial-barrier participants, plus partnerships with CP Kids and Families, Rocky Mountain Adaptive, HopOn, and Special Olympics Canada Calgary Winter Games 2024 that drive referrals.

The business model is a hybrid of non-profit subscription, donation, and participation revenue. Starting with the 2026 season, UPSA introduced a unified $50 annual membership providing access to all programs across summer and winter seasons, replacing fragmented per-program fees. Revenue is supplemented by donations and fundraising (PayPal-enabled), program participation fees, and grant support (notably Employment and Social Development Canada funding in 2023). Leadership is volunteer-governed, with a board of directors, a President (former 4x Paralympian), and an Executive Director (current National Team Handcyclist with a Master's in Adapted Physical Activity) overseeing a 1-10 employee organization.

Name

Ultimate Para Sports Association

Legal name

Ultimate Para Sports Association

Website

https://ultimateparasports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ultimate Para Sports Association is a Calgary, Alberta non-profit founded in 2020 that delivers adaptive sport programs — para-cycling, adapted nordic skiing, scuba diving, wheelchair racing, alpine skiing, and wellness — to people with disabilities of all ages, supported by a $50 annual membership, donations, and partnerships with disability and adaptive-sport organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Sports Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adaptive & Para-Sport Coaching (HSADAEAM), Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs (MPAKAJAK), Adaptive & Special Needs Personal Training (HSADAAAL)

Keywords

• Adaptive sports programs
• Para-athlete training
• Disability sport services
• Para-cycling coaching
• Adaptive nordic skiing

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fee providing access to all UPSA programs for the year, including winter programs. Starting 2026 season, $50 annual fee.
2. Donations & Fundraising: The organization runs many life-changing programs supported through donations and fundraising. Accepts online donations via PayPal.
3. Program Participation Revenue: Revenue generated from program participation, including para-cycling tours and adapted sports programs. Free trial sessions available to attract new participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ultimate Para Sports Association (UPSA) is a Calgary-based non-profit that delivers adaptive sports programs for people with disabilities of all ages, including recreational and developmental para-cycling, adapted Nordic skiing, adapted scuba diving, wheelchair racing support, para-alpine skiing support, and guided meditation. Programs are delivered through scheduled coaching sessions, training plans, nutrition guidance, and access to a large inventory of adaptive sports equipment for try-out, with a $50 annual membership (2026 season) unlocking access across the year and a Fee Exemption Program available for participants facing financial barriers.

Product overview

Ultimate Para Sports Association operates a unified adaptive sports platform offering a portfolio of programs spanning para-cycling, adapted nordic skiing, adapted scuba diving, wheelchair racing, and para-alpine skiing, plus a wellness/meditation program. The core programs are coordinated under a $50 annual membership (2026 Season) that unlocks access to all offerings year-round, including both warm-weather and winter seasons. Key cycling programs include Recreational Para-Cycling, Dev Racing, Para-Cycling Tours, the indoor Junior Adapted Cycling – Learn2Ride (run in partnership with CP Kids and Families), and the HopOn adaptive cycling initiative. Nordic programming includes adapted nordic skiing at Canmore Nordic Centre (January–April 2026) for both junior and adult participants, delivered in collaboration with Rocky Mountain Adaptive. Additional sport supports cover wheelchair racing instruction/coaching/rental, para-alpine skiing, and adapted scuba diving (Freedom Adapted Scuba). A guided meditation wellness program is delivered via the Waking Up online service. A Fee Exemption Program ensures financial barriers do not exclude participants, and a free handcycling taster program lowers the barrier to first participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adapted Nordic Skiing Adapted cross-country / Nordic skiing program for junior and adult participants with disabilities, delivered in collaboration with Rocky Mountain Adaptive at Canmore Nordic Centre.
• Junior Adapted Cycling – Learn2Ride Indoor adapted cycling program for children of all ages and abilities, run in 6-week blocks at the Mount Royal University Recreation 200m track in partnership with CP Kids and Families.
• Recreational Para-Cycling Recreational handcycling program open to participants of all abilities and skill levels, operating Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturdays at Bowness, Calgary, from May through September.
• Dev Racing
• Para-Cycling Tours Weekend para-cycling tours through Canmore, Banff, and Calgary bike trails during the outdoor season, offering longer mountain rides and challenge routes for para-cyclists.
• HopOn Program
• Wellness – Guided Meditation
• Adapted Scuba Diving
• Wheelchair Racing Support
• Para-Alpine Skiing Support
• Try It For Free – Handcycling Taster
• Fee Exemption Program
• Yearly Membership (2026 Season) Annual $50 membership covering the 2026 season, providing access to all UPSA programs including both summer and winter offerings across para-cycling, nordic skiing, and other sports.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HopOncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHopOn focuses on raising awareness and providing opportunities for disabled persons to engage in adaptive cycling programs. The partnership introduces the HopOn program as an initiative to get more disabled people involved in para cycling. Participants engage in hands-on experiences with handcycles provided, receive instructions and assistance, and are accompanied by staff and volunteers on rides appropriate to disability and fitness levels.
• CP Kids and FamiliescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with CP Kids and Families for the Junior Adapted Cycling Learn2Ride program. This program is open to kids of all ages and abilities, providing indoor adapted cycling instruction at Mount Royal University Recreation 200m track in 6-week blocks.
• Rocky Mountain AdaptivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Rocky Mountain Adaptive for adapted nordic skiing program. Sessions run Saturdays at Canmore Nordic Centre from January 2026 through April 2026 (12 weeks, weather and conditions dependent). Rocky Mountain Adaptive provides expertise and support for skiing instruction.
• Special Olympics Canada Calgary Winter Games 2024minorOthersJordan Chabeniuk, UPSA Para Sports Coordinator, also works for Special Olympics Canada Calgary Winter Games 2024, indicating organizational connection to this event.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Move United: US national network providing adaptive sports for people with disabilities across cycling, skiing, and more; directly comparable adaptive multi-sport model.
• BlazeSports America: Adaptive sports nonprofit offering training and programs for youth and adults with disabilities; directly comparable in mission and program breadth.
• Challenged Athletes Foundation: Nonprofit providing equipment, funding, and programs enabling people with physical disabilities to pursue sport; mirrors UPSA's equipment-access and participation mission at larger scale.
• Adaptive Sports Foundation: Provides outdoor and winter adaptive sports programs for people with disabilities; closely comparable to UPSA's ski and cycling offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Special Olympics Canada: National organization delivering sport for people with intellectual disabilities; adjacent disability-sport incumbent with a UPSA staff connection.
• Canadian Paralympic Committee: National governing body for Paralympic sport in Canada; broad incumbent shaping the pathway UPSA feeds athletes into.

Emerging players

• High Fives Foundation: Nonprofit supporting athletes with life-altering injuries through adaptive sport and equipment; overlapping mission and participant base.

Regional players

• ParaSport Ontario: Provincial organization promoting adaptive and parasport participation; comparable Canadian regional adaptive-sport body in a different territory.
• Rocky Mountain Adaptive: Alberta-based adaptive sports nonprofit delivering skiing and outdoor programs for people with disabilities; a partner and direct regional counterpart to UPSA.
• War Amps CHAMP Program: Canadian charity supporting amputees including adaptive activity; comparable Canadian disability-focused nonprofit serving similar populations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ultimateparasports
• Instagraminstagram.com/ultimateparasports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ultimate Para Sports Association