The sky opened up on Tuesday and allowed the Wheelchair Recreation Association to host the first annual Wheelchair Basketball Summer Solstice Shoot Out in Whitehorse.

Eighteen people celebrated the longest day of the year by participating in wheelchair basketball outdoors at Vanier High School, from 10:30 p.m. untill 1 a.m.

'I was excited to see people having fun learning a new sport, and gaining more of a respect and awareness regarding people who may have to rely on a wheelchair in their everyday lives,' said Ramesh Ferris, president of the Wheelchair Recreation Association.

'People who rely on wheelchairs can enjoy recreational and sporting opportunities as well.'

WRA has been organizing a bid to have staff from the Guiness Book of World Records travel to Whitehorse in the future and record the longest outdoor wheelchair basketball game North of 60, commencing on the solstice.

WRA thanks the many volunteers for Tuesday's event, as well as Medichair, Lotteries Yukon and the territorial government's Sport and Recreation Department for the their continued support.

The fourth season of wheelchair basketball will commence in the second week of September, 2005. Wheelchair basketball is open to anyone of any ability, age, culture, or gender, and all of the equipment is provided.

For additional information, please contact Ramesh Ferris at 668-4236.