Month: April 2013
Dutch Open Gold Medal 2013
Paula Moulton and Gary Lyness swept to victory on Easter Sunday at the Dutch Open when they won the Amateur Latin title. They also won a Silver Medal in Ballroom the previous day just being pipped to the post by Poland.
It was a fantastic competition and the couple’s third year competing at the Dutch Open. It is the largest wheelchair dance competition of its kind in the world.
Gary said, “It’s very exciting, but daunting to be entering the World Class arena after such a short time, but it is testament to our dedication”.
“We were thrilled to get silver in Ballroom as a great improvement on last year,” said Paula.
With the third win in a row in Amateur Latin they are now set to become the UK’s first Top level competing couple in Latin Wheelchair Dancesport!
Next Competition
Our next competition is closer to home when we compete in an International Wheelchair Dancesport competition held in the UK. The Manchester Grand Prix Wheelchair Dancesport Championship will take place on Sunday 30th June at the Wythenshawe Forum. The city plays host to competitors from at least 10 European nations. Spectators will be able to see the world’s best Wheelchair Dancesport champions in action.
Fish Insurance Sponsor Strictly Wheels
We’re delighted to announce that Fish Insurance are now backing the UK’s top wheelchair dancing talent, Gary Lyness & Paula Moulton – Strictly Wheels.
Gary & Paula are the current UK Amateur Ballroom and Latin Champions and also hold several International Amateur titles.
Their success is even more astonishing when you consider they are self-funding, reliant on donations and sponsorship to support their training and participation in domestic and international contests. Fish has stepped in to assist by providing specialist disabled travel insurance to ensure they are well protected when competing abroad. Representing GB they are set to travel not just in Europe but possibly as far afield as Brazil for the IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport World Championships.
Paula expressed her thanks to Fish for the company’s backing. “We’re really grateful to Fish for stepping in and providing us with disabled travel insurance and insurance for my dance wheelchair. Not only will this give us peace of mind knowing that cover has been designed specifically to protect people like me for competing, but it saves us much needed money.”
Fish’s managing director John Garrard says he didn’t hesitate to lend the company’s support to the pair. “This was one of the easiest decisions I’ve had to make in my business life. Gary & Paula are an extraordinary success and a fantastic advert for a can-do mentality. Three years ago they had never even danced, let alone competed and yet they swiftly rose to become the first UK couple to reach top class status and have collected no fewer than 11 domestic and international trophies. It’s an absolute privilege to be able to support their endeavours.”
Check out Fish’s disabled travel insurance policy. It includes many benefits designed specifically to protect people with disabilities and/or pre-existing medical conditions. These include cover for manual wheelchairs and mobility aids and the emergency replacement of a carer and prescription medicines. For a quote call 0800 088 3275 or click here.