FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Any Disability Any Age – Adaptive Water Ski Event returns to Central Mass.
Events on Webster Lake and Lake Quinsigamond this summer will bring water skiing to the disabled community.
Worcester, MA – June 2021 – Adaptive water skiing returns to Central Massachusetts this summer with the “Any Disability, Any Age” event at Point Breeze Restaurant and Marina in Webster on Friday, June 25th and at the Donahue Rowing Center on Lake Quinsigamond in Shrewsbury on Tuesday, August 17th. These events will be hosted by the Webster Water Ski Collective, based out of Webster and Charlton and the Leaps Of Faith (LOF) skiers based in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. The event at the Donahue Rowing Center will also be co-hosted by the Lake Quinsigamond Water Ski Club.
These adaptive ski events will allow members of the disabled community to participate in water skiing using specialized equipment with trained and certified adaptive ski instructors assisting them. This year, 50 disabled skiers aged eight to thirty-seven with disabilities ranging from autism, down syndrome, spina bifida, blindness and cerebral palsy, will be joining us on the water for these great events that will also include a picnic lunch for the participants and volunteers. Both events are free for the participants and are being paid for through generous donations from our sponsors and local community.
This is the second year that adaptive water skiing will be in Central Massachusetts. The Webster Water Ski Collective hosted the first-of-its-kind event on Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg (Webster Lake) last August. That event saw 24 skiers hit the water for a tremendous day on the lake which brought as many smiles from the volunteers and spectators as it did for the participants. Last year there was so much interest and a waiting list. This year, the Collective teamed up with the Quinsigamond Water Ski Club to help organize a second event for this year in the Worcester/Shrewsbury area.
“There is nothing better that we like to do than to share our love of waterskiing with others,” said Webster Water Ski Collective President Ryan DesRoches. “We are very excited and honored to be able to team with LOF and provide this opportunity for the disabled community in Central Mass. The smiles and laughter of the participants are contagious, and you can’t help but feel their joy when they get up on their ski and ride on the water.”
These events could not be possible without the Leaps of Faith (LOF) skiers. It is only through the amazing generosity of their time, equipment and knowledge that these events are possible and we are honored to be a part of their 30th season of adaptive skiing. These events also bring together the water ski community. Last year, members from three different water ski clubs, as well as the local community, volunteered at the event. “We all love to water ski and if we can give something back to the community while doing what we love to do, it’s a win win” says DesRoches.
Both events are fully booked with participants. Anyone interested in donating to the event or sponsoring may contact Ryan at WebsterWaterSki@gmail.com
More photos of the 2020 event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=WebsterWaterSki&set=a.3289178127787006
About the Webster Water Ski Collective
The Webster Water Ski Collective is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to promote water skiing and watersports in a safe and fun environment for all ages and skill levels. Founded in 2020, the collective is embarking on its second full season with skiing out of Point Breeze Marina on Webster Lake and Glen Echo Lake in Charlton. In addition to hosting adaptive ski events, the Webster Water Ski Collective also hosts free learn-to-ski events for the public during the summer months. In December, the collective hosts a “Swaterski” event where participants brave the cold water in Webster Lake for water skiing and then head to Wachusett Mountain for snow skiing, all in an effort to raise money for the National Brain Tumor Society. In 2020, the inaugural Swaterski event raised over $14,000.
About Leaps Of Faith
The Leaps of Faith is a 501c3 organization based in Sandy Hook, Connecticut and is celebrating its 30th year in hosting adaptive water and snow ski events for the disabled community in the Northeast United States. Since its founding in 1992, by National Champion Water Ski Jumper Joel Zeisler, Leaps of Faith has provided adaptive sports programs for children, adults and veterans with all types of disabilities, at absolutely no cost to the participant.
https://www.lofadaptiveskiers.org/
Event Sponsors:
Point Breeze Restaurant, Shore Side Docks, Slims & Berthiaume Sewer Service, Long Subaru, Venture Communications & Security, Zmetra Clean Span Structures, Karen Michalson, Research Associates, The Kiva Centers, Donovan Logistics, Nipmuc Discount Liquors, Ted’s Beer, Wine & Spirits, The Webster Five Foundation, Webster Lake Life Celebrations, and WPI Construction.
Contact:
Ryan DesRoches
Webster Water Ski Collective
76 Union Point Road
Webster, MA 01570
Mobile: (508) 944-9793
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