SkiAbility Algoma

Welcome to SkiAbility Algoma!

Mission: provide persons with disabilities the sport of adaptive waterskiing in a safe and fun environment

Goal: provide instruction and create a fun and challenging learning environment for all participants

Focus: provide as many participants as possible the opportunity to be involved in adaptive waterskiing

This website is intended as a place to learn more about SkiAbility Algoma and how our program operates.
If you are looking for the most up to date information about our program including program dates, please visit us on our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/skiabilityalgoma

SkiAbility Algoma is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing an opportunity for persons with various disabilities to try the sport of adapted waterskiing in a safe and fun environment. Our club operates at Bell’s Point Beach on the outskirts of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. We have trained volunteers and instructors to assist our participants in setting personal goals and building confidence and skill in the sport of adapted waterskiing.

What is adapted waterskiing?

SkiAbility is an initiative of Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada and is independently managed. We operate under the SkiAbility Canada umbrella program and follow their well designed program guidelines

Adapted waterskiing focuses on the ability of the participant and not the person’s disability. The sport is adapted to fit the ability of the participant by use of a variety of equipment, as well as various skiing techniques.

Go to our photo and video page to see what our program looks like. All photos and videos are from our local club.

The origins of SkiAbility Algoma

After a lovely summer day of family waterskiing on the lake, a child with a physical disability asked his father, “Daddy, can I ski too?”

What would your answer be if you had a child with a physical disability? Of course the answer is ‘Provide them with every opportunity possible!’

The father and son researched adapted waterskiing, and found SkiAbility Ottawa’s program.

They travelled to Ottawa to participate and after their first ride, they were both hooked and decided that they needed to start a program in Sault Ste. Marie, and SkiAbility Algoma was born in 2008.

Funding

SkiAbility Algoma is very thankful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation 2015 which allowed us to build a fully wheelchair accessible, portable washroom trailer for use at all SkiAbility Algoma events, as well as purchase additional equipment, provide accessible bus transportation and on-site attendant services; these services are provided for participants at no additional cost.

SkiAbility Algoma is also thankful to the Ontario Government for financial support through the Ministry of Health Promotion, Healthy Communities Fund, for start up funds for our program in 2010.

Ongoing Funding is achieved through user fees, donations, and sponsorship.

Please support the businesses that support us!

Contact us via email Program Administrator  if you have questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you!