RISE is collaborating with Metroplex Adaptive Water Sports (MAWS) to provide skiing for physically challenged individuals. Please see their schedule below for available ski dates and times.

MAWS 2008 Calendar
Jun 21 - Advanced Ski Clinic at Pecan Grove in Waxahachie
Aug 16 - Advanced Ski Clinic at Pecan Grove in Waxahachie
Sept 6 - End of Summer Ski Fest at Marine Creek in Fort Worth
Sept 27 - RISE/Baylor "End of Summer Bash" at Lake Lewisville

If you are interested in participation in this sport, please contact Blaine, 214.803.9955. For more information you may visit their website, www.youcanski.org.

If you have any question, please feel free to contact Joel Hendrix at 469.762.5075.

For information on Accessible Boating Facilities please click on the link to the National Accessibility Center.

June 21, 2008

Community Adaptive skiing in Red Oak
Photos by Sagen Kime/The Daily Light
Program removes barriers for physically challenged
By PAUL GAUNTT
Daily Light staff writer
Published: Monday, June 23, 2008 1:05 PM CDT

RED OAK - Dozens of physically challenged, but seasoned, water skiers gathered at Pecan Cove Lake near Red Oak Creek on Saturday to show their stuff.

Metroplex Adaptive Water Sports, a program founded almost 10 years ago by Red Oak resident Blaine Bridgford, has given people suffering from cerebral palsy, spina bifida and incapacitating spinal cord injuries a new lease on life.

Wayne Holt of Lewisville, Texas, who lost his leg in an accident when he was 2 years old, sings the praises of the skiing program.

"People who have had a catastrophic accident and have become incapacitated, lie in hospital beds and watch people on TV who are involved in sports and they remember being involved in," Holt said. "But with programs like (Adaptive Skiing) and other programs such as RISE Adventures, they can get a new lease on life and gain self-esteem and self-confidence. Rather than watch other people live life, they can live lives worth watching."

Holt said RISE Adventures, which schedules its "summer bash" each summer in the Dallas area, involves physically challenged people in sports including kayaking, skiing, sailing, jet skiing and hand cycling.

Holt explained the mission of "RISE Adventures," which is "to help persons with physical challenges gain independence through a learning experience in adaptive outdoor adventures and sporting program."

According to its Web site, "R-I-S-E" is an acronym for "Recovery, Inspiration, Success and Empowerment."

Adaptive Skiing sponsors a beginners' ski session at Bachman Lake located near Dallas Love Field, while the advanced program is held at Pecan Cove Lake on Red Oak Creek, a 10-acre lake about 300 feet wide and 2,000 feet long and only about 6 feet deep.

Blaine Bridgford, owner of Pecan Cove, is quick to mention the generous contributions by such companies in the Dallas area as Stadium Yamaha of Irving and Waterski America/Malibu Boats of Dallas, which provide boats and equipment.

"We have about five scheduled Adaptive Ski events each year at Bachman Lake and Pecan Cove," Bridgford said.

Shawn Braswell of Dallas, whose spinal cord was severed in an automobile accident 20 years ago, has been a regular participant of the Adaptive Skiing program since 2000.

"Not long after my accident, as I was working on my degree from the University of North Texas, I got involved in things like wheelchair tennis and started working out with weights."

Braswell said the skiing has really bolstered his endurance and has been very good for his mental and emotional well being.

"This event has also helped me to make new friends, and I get the opportunity to help others to master skiing," he said. "It's just a great opportunity for anyone, no matter what their physical challenges may be."

For further information, visit Web sites www.youcanski.org or www.riseadventures.org.

E-mail Paul at paul.gauntt@wninews.com