March 28, 2024 7:41 AM
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Local Nonprofit, AZ Adaptive Watersports, to Offer Adaptive Kayaking and Fall Fun Event at Watson Lake Oct. 30

Josh, 9, enjoys freedom and independence as he uses a kayak with adaptive equipment during a recent Arizona Adaptive Water Sports event.

This Saturday, Oct. 30, children and adults with physical and cognitive challenges have the opportunity to enjoy a family day at Watson Lake with adaptive kayaking, crafts, and a fall festival, thanks to local nonprofit AZ Adaptive Water Sports, along with Northern Arizona Adaptive Sports and Arizona Disabled Sports. Kayaks, Costumes & Crafts takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free for anyone with a disability (plus one).

AZ Adaptive Water Sports, a locally based nonprofit, hosts regular water-play events at lakes statewide, giving people with disabilities the chance to experience adaptive waterskiing, wakesurfing, wakeboarding, fishing, boating, kayaking, and tubing … and freedom and adventure.

“More people with all types of disabilities need to have access to play on the water more than just a few times a year,” said Jo Crawford, who founded AZ Adaptive Watersports after retiring from Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital. As a recreational therapist there, she operated the Day on the Lake program for 22 years. “Especially starting kids young. With us, they learn that they’re athletes and adventurers.”

It’s not just for kids; Crawford said one of her most exciting days included getting a 7-year-old up on waterskis just before doing the same for an 80-year-old with Parkinson’s.

Water sports empower people to overcome challenges on their own: “There’s this adventure side you have with water sports that other sports don’t offer,” Crawford said. “When kids go waterskiing for the first time, or go kayaking by themselves with the adaptive equipment, they’re more independent.”

This Saturday’s event is designed for families. Transportation is available from Flagstaff and Phoenix, for $15. Register and get more information here: https://tinyurl.com/eu45yj4r (registration does not close).

About AZ Adaptive Water Sports

A faith-based organization serving in the healing ministry of Christ, the vision of AZ Adaptive Watersports is for anyone with a disability to have access to get on the water and embrace the freedom and adventure that await. Learn more here: https://www.azadaptivewatersports.org

 

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