From left, Robin Burton, Mabio Costa, and Jason Wening. Photograph courtesy of OPAF and The First Clinics.
Mabio Costa, a world-champion amputee triathlete, has been certified as an OPAF First Swim instructor. Jason Wening, CPO, OPAF First Swim director, certified Costa at the October 22 First Swim Clinic sponsored by Ability Prosthetics & Orthotics in Charlotte, North Carolina. Costa had previously assisted OPAF with a First Swim clinic at the 2011 Amputee Coalition Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.
“We are so pleased to welcome Mabio to our ever growing staff of stellar instructors for adaptive recreation,” said Robin Burton, OPAF executive director.
Costa is part of the prosthetic technical services of Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates, Orlando, Florida. He also serves as their South American representative. A former member of the Brazilian Triathlon team, and a member of the USA Triathlon team since 2001, Costa was the 1996 and 2004 triathlon world champion, first representing his birth country and then representing his adopted country. Costa’s transtibial amputation at age 12 was due to a congenital limb deficiency.
Costa will be leading First Swim Clinics for OPAF across the country and working on new First Clinic opportunities.
