Water Skiing - A Sport for All

British Water Ski & Wakeboard (BWSW) are pleased to launch two short films showing that water skiing and wakeboarding are sports for everyone. The films feature three of our members who each tell their story about how water skiing helps them and, ultimately, enhances their lives. Meet Thomas, Abbie Jo and Sophie. They are three disabled people with a variety of impairments who have all found a love of water skiing. They each share their experience of water skiing, what attracted them to the sport, what challenges they face and why everyone should join them on the water.

BWSW are keen to support their clubs and sites to become more inclusive and be able to offer the opportunity to everyone to try our sport. Sometimes the right attitude, the confidence to ask questions and the willingness to try is all it needs to get someone out on the water – whatever their ability.

Thanks to Dudley Water Ski Club and British Disabled Water Ski and Wakeboard Association at Heron Lake for being involved in the films. BWSW worked with WhiteNoSugar Productions to create the films following the success of the Mikey Pinder film.

BWSW is the national governing body and membership organisation for water skiing and wakeboarding funded by its members for the benefit of its members. Its main role is acting on behalf of the interests of water skiers and wakeboarders to develop and serve the sport - a nonprofit making organisation with all of our income invested in developing and protecting water skiing across the UK from the grassroots level through to our top athletes.

More information about water skiing and wakeboard can be found at www.bwsw.org.uk

The Films

Thomas Buckley

The 3 ½ minute film was shot at Dudley Water Ski Club with the support of their coach, Karen and

their boat drivers. It features Thomas Buckley who is blind and shares his story of how he found

water skiing. It highlights how doing the sport and joining the club has improved his confidence in

all aspects of his life.

Heron Lake

The five-minute film was shot at The Tony Edge Centre, Heron Lake, the home of British Disabled

Water Ski and Wakeboard Association. It features two of their members, Sophie and Abbie Jo.

Sophie, who has a spinal cord injury, shares her story of how water skiing fulfils her need for

adrenaline and love of adventure sports. Abbie Jo, who has Celebral Palsy, found water skiing as an

activity that she could for herself without relying on her family and friends.