Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) and Olympic snowboarding legend Shaun White teamed up to deliver an unforgettable surprise for Zach Sherman, a 35-year-old adaptive snowboarder from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

While training at Woodward Park City for his new lifestyle brand, Whitespace, Shaun met his biggest fan on the slopes for a one-on-one snowboard session. At the end of their ride, Shaun presented Zach with a CAF grant for coaching, training, and travel expenses, empowering Zach to pursue his dream of competing in adaptive snowboard competitions.

A Morning on the Mountain

Zach, who became a triple amputee after a motorcycle accident in 2010, thought he was simply meeting his coach for a training day. Instead, Shaun White approached him at the chairlift with a smile and a casual, “Hey dude, I’m Shaun, wanna go take some laps?”

From there, the two bonded over shared runs, halfpipe tricks, and plenty of laughs. Shaun called Zach “an inspiration to everybody,” expressing his excitement to play a role in Zach’s journey and to support CAF’s mission of providing access to sports for people with physical challenges.

Zach recalled the moment Shaun handed him the CAF grant at the bottom of the halfpipe:

“He reached in his pocket, handed me a grant award from CAF, and told me to go live out my dreams.”

Overcoming Adversity and Shredding Forward

An avid snowboarder since the late ’90s, Zach credits snowboarding as a driving force behind his survival and recovery after his accident. Over the past 12 years, he’s adapted by developing prosthetic feet with binding attachments, relearning how to ride, and continuously refining his technique.

With CAF’s support, Zach now has the resources to further improve his skills and compete in adaptive snowboarding events, taking his passion to the next level.

CAF’s Impact on Adaptive Sports

For 29 years, CAF has been dedicated to breaking barriers in sports participation. This April, CAF will distribute more than 3,000 grants worldwide to provide adaptive sports equipment, training, and competition expenses for athletes with physical challenges.

Without these critical resources, many athletes would be unable to experience the transformative power of sports due to limited insurance coverage and a lack of accessible opportunities. CAF believes everyone deserves the chance to play.