MBAC travels to AZ for accessible watersports event

Last month 24 MBAC instructors traveled to Arizona to help facilitate “Day on the Lake”, an accessible watersports program offered by the Barrow Neurological Institute of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.  The majority of 150 participants have endured neck and spinal injuries. The event was an incentive for completing steps in their physical therapy programs.  While enjoying their time on Barlett Lake, participants were able to choose between fishing, boat rides, kayaking, jet skiing, and waterskiing. 

Scott Schaad, MBAC’s Lead Wakeboarding & Waterskiing Instructor, found the experience to be rewarding:  “There’s a satisfaction in knowing that you’re helping such an underserved population in recreation…the reactions of the participants were incredible.  One guy told me, ‘This is the most exciting thing he’s ever done’ and another participant said she ‘hasn’t been smiling a whole lot lately, but was smiling a lot today.’” 

MBAC’s Instructional Manager Kevin Straw echoed Schaad’s remarks, “It was an amazing thing to see these people who have gone through such a traumatic episode in their lives, and get on the water and back to their own selves.”  

Great job to all of the MBAC staff who helped and worked at this very special event!