Antelope Point Marina will host an Adaptive Watersports Program on Lake Powell October 7-8, hosted by Arizona Adaptive Watersports. This nonprofit provides adaptive waterskiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, tubing, and kayaking for children and adults with physical, neurological, and intellectual disabilities.
The program runs outside Antelope Point Marina daily from 9am to 3pm. From there the participant is taken to Warmhe Creek and spends his day of adaptive water sports.
Arizona Adaptive Watersports’ vision is “to enable everyone with a disability to get on the water and embrace the freedom and adventure that awaits.” The group is based near Prescott, but their home lake is Bartlett Lake Marina in Carefree, Arizona.
The organization’s executive director, Jo Crawford, said the resort offers adaptive watersports for adults as well as children ages 3 and up. Last year the oldest participant was 86 years old. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
“Because we work not just with intellectual disabilities, but with neurological, physical, and developmental disabilities, we serve people with autism and similar disabilities,” Crawford said. says.
“We have special equipment that allows people who cannot ski standing up to ski sitting up. We have trained our coaches. And we also have a safety team.Roughly speaking, it takes about a dozen volunteers to water ski alone.”
She started Arizona Adaptive Watersports after working with a Valley organization that was doing a similar type of programming, but could only do it a few days a year.
“It was so popular and the queues were so long that we knew Arizona would have to offer this more than a few days a year. I’ve long wanted to launch and start a nonprofit,” Crawford said.
A recent grant from Move United has allowed the organization to acquire additional adaptation equipment and trailers. This means we can tap into a more mobile, smaller market for people who don’t have the financial resources to travel to Carefree or who are physically challenged. Unable to create drive.
“Now we are in Lake Havasu in April, and we are closing out the year on Lake Powell for the first time. ’ said Crawford.
She said the program allows one family member to accompany the athlete. Additional people can participate for a small additional fee.
“If your family wants to go tubing with someone they love, they can,” she said. “This really brings families together and lets you take pictures of your loved ones and athletes on a ski boat or try out these adventurous sports for the first time.”
Crawford emphasized that water sports are not just for young people.
“I want people to know that it’s just as important for a 75-year-old stroke survivor to play as it is for a 6-year-old with spina bifida. If not, it’s even more important,” she said. , studies show that 70% of those who participate in the program start doing something new later in life.
“Someone came back and said, ‘I went water skiing on the back of the boat, navigating something I’ve never done before. Of course, I can go back to school now. Of course I’m going to ask that girl out on a date now,” she said.
“When you do something a little scary, like rock climbing or mountain biking, you’re like, ‘Okay, I’m brave. What else can I do? It’s time for a new chapter of fun.
Crawford added that “fear is a liar” and that it prevents people from doing many things in life, including people with disabilities and family members who may be a little worried.
“Even if you’re worried about what might happen, go out and see what happens. You don’t have to sign up, but see what it’s like and then decide,” she said.
Don’t unconsciously say, “I’m not going because I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Come out and have a look and then decide. “
The Lake Powell program is priced at $125 per participant and $25 for each additional person after that. Pre-register at www.azadaptivewatersports.org, call 602-228-3660 or email us [email protected] for more information.
