Incredible ‘Leap-of-Faith’ Water Skiing Event on Lake Zoar [VIDEO]

This past Saturday morning 20 water skiers, some with disabilities, braved the chilly waters of Lake Zoar to raise money for "Leap-of-Faith Adaptive Skiers."

According to an article in the News-Times, four boats pulled 5 skiers on the way down and a 5th boat was added for the trip back. Three of the water skiers don't have use of their legs, two were blind, and one had no hands. 14 program volunteers along with various volunteers tried to hang in for the 22 mile trip between the Shepaug and Stevenson dams and it was a sight to behold! The following video is not from the Lake Zoar event but illustrates what the "Adaptive Skiier Program" is all about.

The "Adaptive Skiers Program" provides opportunities for individuals with all different types of disabilities the chance to learn how to water ski. The program was started up in 1992 by Joel Zeisler who is now the program's Executive Director. A Vietnam vet who lost both of his hands, Jerry Miserandino, said he learned of the program through the "Wounded Warriors Project," and has been skiing with the group for the last 12 years. Alex Snow from Newtown who is blind, has been skiing with the program for the last 15 years said he felt he had to rise to the endurance event challenge and went on to tell the News-Times, "I was a little nervous mainly because of the number of people behind the boat and then you hit a wave, but it wasn't that bad."

p