FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Webster Water Ski Collective’s Adaptive Ski Program Celebrates Tremendous Success in 2023

Webster, Massachusetts – August 13, 2023 – The Webster Water Ski Collective is thrilled to announce the resounding success of its Adaptive Ski Program in 2023. With the participation of over 100 enthusiastic individuals and an impressive total of more than 300 ski runs, this program has made a significant impact on the community while fostering inclusivity and outdoor enjoyment.

Taking advantage of the picturesque landscapes of Central Massachusetts, the program operated across five pristine ponds: Hamilton Reservoir in Holland, Lake Lashaway in East Brookfield, Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg (Webster Lake) in Webster, Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, and Glen Echo Lake in Charlton.  These stunning locations provided the perfect backdrop for participants to experience the exhilaration of water skiing while enjoying the beauty of nature.

The Adaptive Ski Program is designed to provide a unique and empowering experience for individuals with varying physical abilities, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the thrill of water skiing. The collective’s dedicated team of experienced instructors and volunteers worked tirelessly to create a safe and supportive environment, allowing participants to push their boundaries and achieve remarkable personal milestones.

“The Webster Water Ski Collective is committed to making outdoor water sports accessible to everyone in our community. We are delighted to see the incredible turnout and the joy it has brought to both participants and their families,” said Ryan DesRoches, the director of Adaptive Skiing at the Webster Water Ski Collective.  “The success of this program would not have been possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers, sponsors, and the local communities.”

This season, the Webster Water Ski Collective partnered with Team Hoyt New England,   The Aqua Riders of Holland,   Live Skills Incorporated in Webster, the Mount Snow Adaptive Ski Team from Vermont, the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, and USA Water Ski to provide more opportunities for participants to explore new programs that promote inclusiveness and allow those with disabilities to achieve their potential while having fun participating in sports.     

The Adaptive Ski Program has not only provided an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to experience the thrill of skiing but has also fostered a sense of camaraderie and a deeper connection among participants. The collective looks forward to continuing this program and expanding its reach, providing more individuals with the chance to discover the joy of water skiing in the years to come.     

The Adaptive Ski Program is very thankful to have had numerous volunteers participate in the Adaptive Ski Program, including members from from the Webster Water Ski Collective, the Aqua Riders of Holland, and community members taking time off of their jobs and summer activities to participate and help out with the program.    Many of the volunteers in the Webster Water Ski Collective are high school teens who have taken leadership positions in the Adaptive Ski Program and have made life-long friends with many of the participants.    “One of the things that gives me the most joy is seeing our younger members volunteer and make friends with our adaptive participants.     I often get text messages from the younger volunteers days before the event asking if their favorite participant is attending and posting photos and videos of their event on their social media pages.   I think they are as excited as the participants are for these events!  The kids and adults that participate as volunteers in this program are truly amazing, and I am so thankful and blessed to have them – they are the backbone of this program” says Ryan.   

The Webster Water Ski Collective is already planning for its 2024 summer offerings and hopes to continue to grow and expand its programs.      The Collective is seeking more volunteers in all aspects of its program from hands-on volunteers, to administrative help with fundraising, grant writing and marketing.     Any interested party can contact the Webster Water Ski Collective for more information.  

“Water skiing is an amazing sport that has so many avenues for people to get involved in.  We love the sport because of its immense diversity –  as people can choose to compete in slalom, jumping, trick skiing, wakeboarding, show skiing and more, or simply just go out with friends and family and have a fun time on the lake.   Any age can participate, as our youngest participant was 4 years old and our oldest was 78 years old this season and we are so happy to have beginners who have never skied before, to our tournament skiers who qualified and participated in the AWSA Eastern Regionals and National Tournaments this season.   The sport is really open to everyone and our goal with the Webster Water Ski Collective is to promote the sport, give our athletes the tools and confidence to be successful, and to share our love of skiing with others.”  says Ryan.  

The Webster Water Ski Collective wants to thank its amazing sponsors that have allowed the club to grow immensely in just a few short years.    Without the support of the sponsors, the Collective simply could not put on these Adaptive Water Ski Events.      The Webster Water Ski Collective would like to thank Point Breeze Restaurant and Marina,   The Mark Fidrych Foundation,  Team Hoyt New England,  author Karen Michalson,  Long Subaru, National Grid,  Doug Russell Marine, Destination You Fitness, Sherman Oil Inc, Cornerstone Bank,  Lakeview Marine,   North Brookfield Savings Bank,   Webster Five Cents Savings Bank, Cams Oil,  Foxy Travel, Ski-It-Again.com,  Dog Days Incorporated,  Slims & Berthiaume Sewer Service,  ECG,   the Samuel Slater Experience,  the Inspired Arts Company, Pakachoag Acres Day Care Center,  the Boaters of Webster,  Beach’s and Cream Ice Cream Boat,  the East Brookfield Lions Club,   308 Lakeside Restaurant,  Owl and Oak Wellness,  E.B. Flatts Restaurant,  the North Brookfield Police,  Teds Liquors,  the Lake Lashaway Community Association,  the Spencer Agricultural Association/Spencer Fair,  Bercume Equipment,   East Brookfield Fire Association, Howe Lumber and numerous individuals that have also made donations to our program.   

For more information about the Webster Water Ski Collective and its Adaptive Ski Program, please visit https://WebsterWaterSki.org or contact Ryan DesRoches at 774-495-0165 or WebsterWaterSki@Gmail.com

About Webster Water Ski Collective
The Webster Water Ski Collective is a community-focused organization dedicated to promoting water skiing, fostering inclusivity, and creating memorable experiences on the water. Through its various programs and initiatives, the collective aims to share the joy of water skiing with individuals of all abilities while preserving the natural beauty of Central Massachusetts’ waterways.

For more photos, please visit our Facebook page at https://Facebook.com/WebsterWaterSki