On Monday, July 25th Water Ski Wakeboard Ontario hosted a fantastic day on a lake near Puslinch, Ontario. People with different types of disabilities were given the opportunity to try water skiing, most for the very first time! It was a sunny day that shone down on the participants and shed a light on the opportunities available to participate in adaptive sports.

The sense of community throughout was incredible. People who were newly injured were able to speak with those with lived experience and get inspiration about how they can live their life going forward. They got to experience firsthand that while the view may be different than before there is still opportunity for a thrilling ride. The Unstoppable Tracy Schmidt showed that a positive attitude and a thirst for life can lead you to a world of new and wonderful experiences. One of SCIO’s Regional Services Coordinators Hayler Geller-Klein, who was on hand to help with the day commented “this day provides people with such freedom. They get on the water and they feel so free!”

For many, this was the first social gathering in over two years. This wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of our incredible volunteers including Paul Roberts the site and boat owner, National WSWO Coaches Dave Wassil, Lisa Williams and Jake Thomas and Nimbus HR Solutions volunteer Carrie Thomas. A special thank you to Nimbus HR Solutions for the tasty lunch.

After the thrill of the waves, some of the participants were even able to try out Jake Thomas’s nifty off-road three-wheel handcycle to see yet another adaptive sport. Jake has spoken to our community before about the healing properties of sport and how the joy of getting back on the water after his own injury helped him to realize he could still enjoy the activities he loved before, he was just closer to the surface now!

Thank you to all who made this wonderful day happen and thank you to the participants who took the opportunity to experience the freedom and thrills of the day. The feedback was so positive with so many saying they would do this again. With the right planning and supports, we hope we can.

To see highlights of the day, click here