Just a few weeks after the Lake Zoar Water Ski Club held its fourth annual Leaps of Faith clinic for visually impaired children and adults, president Joel Zeisler hosted his annual week-long camp for visually-impaired athletes.

About 30 athletes attended the one-day clinic, braving the sporadic rain and occasional clap of thunder. Less than a dozen athletes gathered for the start of the camp on Monday. But both groups of eager athletes had a chance to meet Allan Golabek of Bethel, a blind world champion water skier.

 “I wanted to bring some of the confidence and self assuredness I had learned from water skiing to other blind people,” Golabek explained.

According to Mr Zeisler, the Leaps of Faith clinics were designed with blind skiers in mind, and virtually every participant is successful at experiencing the thrill of racing across the water. The clinics have three premium ski boats and all trainers are certified from the USA Water Ski Association.

As at the clinic, during the week-long camp each skier is fitted with a life vest and proper skis. They are shown on land how to sit as if they were in the water, then pulled up as they hold a handle. Proper body positioning and technique is carefully explained during the simulation. This is repeated in the water with trainers, and then  the real thing is experienced by skiing with the boat.

The Lake Zoar Ski Club, which was selected as the Best Ski Club in New England by the USA Water Ski Association, plans to hold another clinic in late September.

– By Chris Kuell