(March 14, 2025) Arizona, USA-Breaking down barriers one person at a time, Arizona Adaptive Watersports (AAWS) is doing their part to ensure that those impacted by cognitive and physical disabilities can enjoy the healing powers of the water. The organization is gearing up for the 2025 season which kicks off in March. Whether you are three or eighty-three years old, those with disabilities are encouraged to participate.
Adaptive Wakesurfing begins practices in March just in time for the Wild West Wake Surfing Shoot Out on Lake Pleasant April 4 & 5. The World Series of Wake Surfing competition presented by Century Marine and Centurion Boats will have an Adaptive Division where riders can surf seated, prone (on their stomach), or standing behind a 2025 Centurion Ri230
“If it wasn’t for Amy [Mauzy, VP of Marketing and Brand Direction at Centurion Boats], Nicole [Hudson, WSWS Head Judge], and Melanie [Bosley-Bloomfield, Owner of Century Marine], there wouldn’t be an Adaptive Division in the World Series of Wake Surfing. This will be our fourth-year part of WSWS.” Jo Crawford, Chief Visionary Officer and founder of AAWS stated.
In addition to WSWS competitions, AAWS is hosting their annual watersports programs. Originally started at Bartlett Lake in Arizona, the program has grown and is now known as the Triple Crown Watersports Program. The program will now be hosted at Lake Havasu on May 2 & 3, Bartlett Lake (Date TBD), and Lake Powell on October 3 & 4, giving those who may not be local to Bartlett Lake the opportunity to participate. Cost to participate??
“The idea is to go to Havasu and get people that are there out on the water. We found that people with disabilities wouldn’t go to Havasu if we didn’t show up. Now people can go and enjoy different parts of the state and travel whether it’s to Lake Havasu, Bartlett Lake or Lake Powell. These days are full of adaptive watersports of surfing, skiing, kayaking, tubing, wake boarding, and boat rides,” Crawford shared of the Triple Crown Watersports Program.
At these events, participants can learn how to wake surf, water ski and wake board with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers and state-of-the-art equipment built specifically for adaptive athletes. In addition to surfing and skiing, participants can simply enjoy a day on the water by taking boat rides.
“People who participate see that they can do anything.” Jo shared.
Lily was eight years old when she started attending the AAWS programs. Once she got out on the water her eyes lit up, but she was very nervous. Lily has a spinal cord injury and has to be transferred carefully from her wheelchair into a kayak. After some time, she became comfortable on the water and wanted to tackle the next challenge: water skiing.
“It takes 12 people to take one adaptive person waterskiing. Lily had these cute goggles on. She went out waterskiing and her mom came back with tears in her eyes. This event changed her life.” Jo mentioned.
Lily went on to show an animal the following year in 4-H for the first time and now she both snow and water skis. In the last few years, she competed in the Tetris Ski Race, a snow ski race for adaptive athletes.
“Another AAWS program attendee who has Autism, took an entire day to stick his foot into the water. To you and me that may not seem like much, but for a child who is autistic, that’s everything.” Jo shared while recounting the many stories she’s seen over the years.
In addition to their program AAWS is partnering with Ability 360 to launch the Triple Canyon Kayaking Adventure where participants kayak each canyon for one day, rest for one day, and continue to the next canyon. Participants can expect to kayak on the following days: Oct 1st- Marble Canyon, Oct 3rd- Antelope Canyon and Oct 4th- Navajo Canyon.
AAWS is searching for volunteers to help at their events this year. If you are interested in being part of the AAWS family, please visit https://www.azadaptivewatersports.org/volunteer-activity-details
“Fear is a liar! We are not a part of that. We break barriers and refresh souls. We’re overcoming physical barriers, barriers to access, and fear. Anyone interested in investing in breaking barriers come and talk to us.”
If you or someone you know would benefit from participating in this program, reach out to Jo Crawford at Jo@azadaptivewatersports.org or (602)228-3660.
About We Wake Waves: As a Correct Craft company, we are called to the path of “Making Life Better” and we strive to exemplify that phrase at every opportunity. We want to wake waves of positive change in ourselves, our families, our communities, and our world with our boats on or near the water. It could be as simple and seemingly small as teaching your child to wake surf or showing your significant other how to trailer a boat or as big as hosting an event that honors our service men and women. What’s Your Wave? How are you using your Centurion on, near, or relating to water to wake waves of positive change? We wake waves. Do you? Share your wave with us on social media using the hashtag #WeWakeWaves and visit www.centurionboats.com/we-wake-waves.com to learn more.
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About Correct Craft: Celebrating 100 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. Focused on “Making Life Better,” the Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, Parker, and Ingenity boat companies, Pleasurecraft Engine Group, Indmar Marine Engines, Velvet Drive Transmissions, Mach Connections, Merritt Precision, Osmosis, Watershed Innovation, and Aktion Parks. For more information, please visit www.correctcraft.com.