Sports while in the Canadian Forces...

[mellian]

I know there is some sports teams and activities one can do while in the Canadian Force, some of which is in the CF, but I am curious if it has to be a mainstream sport, and whether if one need to get permission from the CO. It would of course be dependent one's occupation, schedule, and where too.

In the last couple of years been part of a roller derby league, and completed my second season this past summer, while continuing to occasionally play with one of the travel teams against leagues of other cities. It is something I am really into and somewhat obsess about, and even if I have to put it on hold, I will try to get back into it schedule and location permits. Barring any crippling injuries, something I can see myself doing for many years to come as roller derby becomes bigger and bigger as sport.

I know there is some women in the CF and US military that play roller derby, yet also heard that some were disallowed to play due to their CO's perception that the sport as to high of risk for injuries base on lacking or/and outdated information. I am hoping I will not have to have that kind of restriction, as long it does not affect my duties.

So I am curious if anyone has faced such restrictions barring one from getting into sports or one of them while they are in the CF?

 

[brandon_]

well, i'm not in the cf.

But i don't see that it would be that much of a problem as long as it's on your own time...

 

[Armymedic]

Specifically what sport are you referring to?

You would be surprised what CF members are allowed to do.

 

[brandon_]

Specifically what sport are you referring to?

You would be surprised what CF members are allowed to do.

...In the last couple of years been part of a roller derby leage...

 

[X-mo-1979]

I kayak,expedition (and started Greenland) style on my own time.Good chance of drowning,getting bashed against rocks in surf etc.I never asked if I could do something.It's all on my time anyway.

The only two sport I seen actively pushed in my unit (I.E don't go on winter EX,or show up for work during play times) has been Ironman team and hockey.Other sports don't get much attention in my unit.However these two sports are representing the unit,where as myself circumnavigating some large area is not.
Tus I get zero time off work to pursue my sport.

 

[ballz]

I kayak,expedition (and started Greenland) style on my own time.Good chance of drowning,getting bashed against rocks in surf etc.I never asked if I could do something.It's all on my time anyway.

This applies to all sports outside of the ones you participate in with the CF (aka.... the ones "on your own time"):

You still should get it approved by your CO... If you do get bashed up against the rocks and are unable to work, if it was approved, your healthcare costs and your salary and etc will still be paid out to you, no different than if you were injured on the job. Or if you die, your life CF life insurance will still be in effect (obviously if you have other forms of life insurance that already cover this then that one isn't as big of a factor but the other stuff should be).

If it wasn't approved.... :nod:

There isn't a ton that they won't approve, and if it's not, my understanding is that if it's not approved you can still do it, you're just doing it 100% at your own risk. Right now I'm in the process of getting Muay Thai and Brazilian Ju Jitzu approved, and was pretty well assured that it would be approved. All the official CF sports are no problem to get approved, and some of those are much more dangerous than combative sports (hockey being one of them).

 

[X-mo-1979]

Hmmm.
I seem to remember a few years back they set out a list of sports they would not support.And kayaking wasn't one they didn't.I have never heard of getting the CO approval for doing sports on my own time.I'll have to have a chat with some people at work next time I drop in.

 

[George Wallace]

Just off the top of my head, I would think that some limitations are put onto what sports one can participate in while off duty.  Extreme Sports would likely come to mind and each one would have to be dealt with on an individual basis by any member wishing to take part in one.  A strong and detailed examination of dangers to health and limb would have to be presented.

 

[X-mo-1979]

This is a great topic.It's something that hadn't really crossed my mind before.I am assuming there must be a CF wide list of sports approved.I seem to remember it actually.Leaving a decision to a CO would be a good way for soldier x from unit x being approved and soldier y not.

I am currently not at work so checking is outta my realm.

 

[ballz]

Just off the top of my head, I would think that some limitations are put onto what sports one can participate in while off duty.  Extreme Sports would likely come to mind and each one would have to be dealt with on an individual basis by any member wishing to take part in one.  A strong and detailed examination of dangers to health and limb would have to be presented.

I'm pretty sure we were told Skydiving wouldn't be approved :nod:

 

[WestCoaster]

I think I remember a CANFORGEN released earlier this year regarding extreme sports. I can't quite remember what it outlined, but I believe it named a few sports that you would not be covered if injured. I don't have DIN access at the moment... maybe someone could look it up? I think it was released in spring 09

 

[George Wallace]

I'm pretty sure we were told Skydiving wouldn't be approved :nod:

How many of us don't know at least five people who have gone skydiving? 

 

[SupersonicMax]

How does someone can make the minimum req. for the Skyhawks without skydiving on the civie streets?

 

[X-mo-1979]

I'll just send them my copy of this is the sea.
The way I look at it your more likely to die driving to the put in site.If someone is permitted to go 120km in a car with other vehicles flying around at the same speed...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHr7veG1dtk&feature=related

Be great if someone could post up the CANFORGEN

 

[ballz]

How many of us don't know at least five people who have gone skydiving?

We had about that number go skydiving on a weekend off during our BMOQ...

I figure if I have a skydiving accident not getting paid for being off work is going to be the least of my worries.

 

[prima6]

People should definitely refer to the Canforgen from this year on extreme sports.  It specifically lists several sports as not being approved.  Obviously this would have implications if you are injured while participating in these sports.  People should also indicate any and all sports that they participate in when they do the CF EXPRES test.  The form has checkboxes for certain sports and if you have these checked then you are considered on-duty while participating. 

I'm trying to recall all of the sports listed in the 09 Canforgen, but from memory there's boxing, MMA, forced marches, bungee jumping and several others.  I have it on my desk at work since one of my secondary duties is SportsO.

To the person trying to get Muay Thai approved, good luck.  I had a buddy who was a high level competitive kickboxer and was very specifically told that he was not covered if he was injured in training or competition when he applied for approval.  He still competed anyway and was fortunately never injured to the point that it impacted his ability to work.  BJJ is likely, I had approval Jiu-Jitsu (not BJJ) when I was in college.

 

[ballz]

To the person trying to get Muay Thai approved, good luck.  I had a buddy who was a high level competitive kickboxer and was very specifically told that he was not covered if he was injured in training or competition when he applied for approval.  He still competed anyway and was fortunately never injured to the point that it impacted his ability to work.  BJJ is likely, I had approval Jiu-Jitsu (not BJJ) when I was in college.

Well that doesn't make much sense. There's more injuries in many of the "official" CF sports than Muay Thai. Badminton (85% of elite badminton players are sidelined at some point due to an injury every year), Soccer, and Hockey both have a higher injury rate for sure, and isn't there a big Muay Thai thing at CFB Petawawa? Not to mention Tae Kwon Doe is an official CF sport... Seems pretty stupid to me.

I'm confident I'll get it approved and if not I'll go ahead and train in it anyway. I have no intentions in competing, I just want it in case there's ever a situation that requires it, plus it's hella fun and a good workout.

 

[brandon_]

...big Muay Thai thing at CFB Petawawa? Not to mention Tae Kwon Doe is an official CF sport... Seems pretty stupid to me...

There is a big differnce in those two sports.
If im not mistaken mauy thai is similar to boxing, and the idea is too beat in the other persons face in.  While tae kwon doe is the art of self defence you learn how to defend your self. ( it is martial arts so obv some offensive)

 

[ballz]

There is a big differnce in those two sports.
If im not mistaken mauy thai is similar to boxing, and the idea is too beat in the other persons face in.  While tae kwon doe is the art of self defence you learn how to defend your self. ( it is martial arts so obv some offensive)

Errr... not really... I don't know a whole lot about either of them but Taekwondo is definately not all defense. If it were, they wouldn't be able to have Taekwondo competitions. Taekwondo seems more based on kicking than anything else. I do know they do more self-defense in the actual training, but the CF has competitions too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfGz35FyV0U&feature=fvst couple nice kicks to the face and head in this video.

And like I said, I'm pretty sure there's a big MMA thing, Muay Thai being one of the main focuses, in Petawawa, but I  not 100% sure


Edit: "the idea is too beat in the other persons face in" Well that's true for both sports... Muay Thai is just better at it and probably more aggressive

 

[ballz]

The following are recognized sports or activities for the Canadian Forces and are approved by the Commanding Officer as part of the CFS St. John’s fitness and sports program when organized or authorized by Station authorities:


Badminton                            Golf                        Soccer

Bowling                                Hockey                  Softball

Basketball                              Racquet ball          Squash 

Ball Hockey                          Rock Climbing      Swimming

Broomball                              Rugby                    Touch Football

Canoeing/kayaking              Running                TaeKwonDo

Curling                                  Sailing                    Tennis

Cross Country Skiing          Shooting                Triathlon   

Cycling                                  Skating                  Volleyball

Flag Football                        Snow Shoeing      Weight Training

Rowing                 



4.            Members are also advised to refer to CFAO 50-3 with respect to participation in Out Service Competition.  While some activities may be listed above, if they are not conducted as part of the Station program, more specific approval is required. (eg: Running is an approved activity but participation in a civilian organized 10 km road race will require specific approval for each event).  In such cases, an application form (see CFAO 50-3) must be submitted to the approving authority.  The Fitness, Sports and Recreation Coord (FS&R Coord) is responsible to ensure the information is accurate and that the individual has achieved the CF physical fitness standard prior to onward submission.



I have CFAO-50-3 on hand and can post it.... it's like 10 pages long but would answer almost any questions to do with the CF and sports... Mods? Should I post it?