The Integrated Fitness Society (InterFit) was incorporated in 2001 as a not-for-profit society run under the Society Act of British Columbia, located in North Vancouver. In 2007 we became a registered charity in hopes we could raise funds to get new projects started. The vision for the Interfit Project began with Brian Bell, a North Vancouver resident who became paralyzed from the shoulders down in a work related accident at Lynn Headwaters Park. Together with his physiotherapist, Jan Bednarczyk, Brian had a dream to go to a community centre like any one else and work out. With the help of William Griffin Rec Centre staff, TETRA Society volunteers, Rick Hansen W.I.M. the Lynn Valley Lions and BC Paraplegic Association, in 2000 this dream became a reality with the purchase of an arm ergo meter and the rearrangement of machines so Brian could wheel through the gym. This first project captured the imagination, the hearts and the support of other Rec Centre users and North Vancouver Rec Commission staff and has continued to flourish as an annual commitment in the presentation of the Annual Interfit Spring Frolic fundraising event.
In 2006 we focused our energies on outdoor activities and the creation of North Shore Adapted Hiking (NSAH), with enough funds to build an OffRoad chair (ORC) a cross between a mountain bike and a wheelchair), we used the ORC and rented a TrailRider, (a cross between a rickshaw and a wheelbarrow) from the Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation. this year we finished our 4th season with 2 ORC’s and 2 TrailRiders, 35 scheeduled hikes and 600 volunteers hours.