Adaptive water skiing takes off in Garden River

By Margaret Hele

GARDEN RIVER FIRST NATION—Water skiing by persons with various disabilities that took place  Saturday, July 14, on the Estate of Harriet Bell (Bell’s Point) on the Garden River Reserve, was cause for a jovial time.

The 16 participants that had signed up were excited to take part and full of anticipation.  Dan Valiquette, a Garden River citizen, drives the boat and is one of the key organizers. Dan’s two daughters, both expert skiers, have assisted since the start of this event in 2010 . Dan’s son-in-law, a Chapleau Cree member, now also assists with the event.

A man from Manitoba who was visiting his relatives in Sault Ste. Marie, heard about the event and signed up.  He was looking forward to his turn for there are few skiing opportunities in Canada for paraplegics.

Another participant, from the Kitchener Waterloo area, comes every year with his mother. “It’s well worth the ten hour drive,” said his mother.

The event was delayed due to the heavy fog that morning.  A trailer with a ramp was in place to serve as a change room.  Heavy rugs covered a large area in front of the trailer and to the launching pad.  Tables were set up under a canopy where drinks and snacks were available for volunteers and participants. A nurse was on site throughout the day. When the boat that pulls the skiers arrived, the area was like a beehive.  Volunteers were happily attending to all.

When it was their turn, each participant was assisted from their chair and placed in a special chair that was attached to the skis.  The volunteers were very attentive to each participant, ensuring that everything was adjusted properly.  Two skiers accompanied each participant, one on each side.  The boat and skiers would travel up the St. Mary’s river out of our site and then back. When they returned to shore, the participants were carried from the water back to their chairs.

The last skiers were able to ski on their own once they were set in place by the volunteers.

The comradery, joy and delight expressed by all, skiers, volunteers, organizers, family, friends and campers provided a very happy atmosphere.

The event was sponsored by: Ontario Trillium Foundation, Construction Equipment Co., Bells’ Point Beach, met energy systems, Sault Ste. Marie Firefighters, Sault North Rotary International, Christies RV,  Johnson’s RV, Rivercity Motor Sports and Primerica.

Additional skiing times have been scheduled for later this year: July 28, August 18 and August 25.