The Shawano Ski Sharks hope to have an adaptive water skiing exhibition Aug. 13 at their final weekly show of the season, which also will feature two award-winning skiers.
The team’s efforts to build an adaptive skiing program were bolstered this year when Prime Powersports in Shawano donated a 2014 SeaDoo Spark personal watercraft, valued at $5,000, to help with fundraising.
“The ability to adaptive water ski is something I wanted to be a part of, and it is my way of giving back to the community,” Prime Powersports owner Chris Gull said.
The nonprofit ski group has been selling raffle tickets for the SeaDoo since April at various business outlets and at its weekly shows along the Wolf River Beach behind Shawano Medical Center. Dave Passehl, Ski Sharks president, said about $2,400 had been raised as of this week.
The winning ticket will be drawn during intermission of the Aug. 13 show.
The money raised by the raffle will help offset the costs of the adaptive water-ski equipment and insurance. Passehl said the team has spent about $5,000 on adaptive ski equipment and other costs.
“This adaptive skiing thing is not a cheap endeavour,” Passehl said. “The driving factor is the Ski Sharks are very blessed to have the support of the community.”
Passehl said he is hoping to have a demonstration of the adaptive water skiing at the season finale, but was uncertain how many volunteers there would be.
“We are looking for (disabled) people to get involved and it comes at no cost to them,” he said.
The show also will feature Australian barefoot water ski champion Brenden Paige, who has captured eight top-five finishes in a variety of tournaments in both Australia and the United States.
“He will be showing off his barefoot skills and it will be quite entertaining,” Passehl said.
In addition to Paige, Cody Siolka, of the Ski Sharks, also is expected to perform.
Siolka captured second place last month in the individual freestyle ski jump at the 48th annual State Water Ski Championships in Wisconsin Rapids, and will compete in the National Water Ski Show Tournament from Aug. 8-10 in Janesville.
“We are excited for him and he has done a great job all year,” Passehl said. “He might be a champion at our last show.”
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