For success, attitude is equally as important as ability
In June of 2005, Keith Gabel was involved in an industrial accident; over 2,000 pounds of hydraulic pressure crushed his left foot. After a series of medical procedures the decision was made to amputate. Keith is an action sports enthusiast with a background in big mountain and freestyle snowboarding. Just three months after his accident, Keith set his sights on making the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Team. In February 2013, Gabel won an International Paralympic Committee World Cup event in Slovenia, and in 2012 he earned an X-Games gold medal. He is currently ranked third in the world in his discipline of Para Snowboard Cross and has been named to the U.S. Paralympic Snowboarding National A-Team. A United States Team for Tomorrow Ambassador, Keith is also a humanitarian helping others with debilitating illnesses or injuries.
Most recently Keith had the opportunity to travel to Sochi for the 2014 Winter Games where Snowboard Cross made its Paralympic debut. Keith was honored with the opportunity to compete along side six other Utahns in the event. He left Sochi with the bronze medal around his neck in the first ever Snowboard Coss event in Paralympic history!
Keith will be one of the four athletes obliterating waves at the High Fives Adaptive Surf Trip this month! The surf trip takes place in Sea Girt, NJ at North Beach from August 25th through August 29th. The trip acts as both a training ground for our organizations Winter Empowerment Athletes, and also shows these same Athletes that there are accessible summer action sports that also provide the STOKE.
