Leaps of Faith Adaptive Skiers, or LOF for short, is a local adaptive skiing group that works with all kinds of individuals of all abilities. From hosting open ski days to private groups for those with visual impairments or spinal cord injuries, LOF is an opportunity for people to get out, get into the water, and have some fun.

Joel Zeisler founded LOF in 1992 after being called by a man, Mark Hieftje, who expressed interest in learning how to jump a water ski jump.

“I don’t usually give private lessons, but I said, ‘Come on up. You can ski with us, I’ll teach you.’ [I] wasn’t looking for any compensation or anything, so at the end of the telephone conversation, he says, ‘Oh, by the way, Joel, I forgot to tell ya, I’m totally blind,’” Zeisler told the story. He let out a quick laugh and continued, “I said, ‘Wonderful, Mark, is there anything else I should know?’ As I already fell to the floor. He said, ‘Nope, that’s it, just blind.’ It was a learning curve for me and it was a learning curve for him.”

Zeisler said he had to go out with Hieftje most of the time to act as a guide, but Hieftje went on to become a world champion in the disabled divisions in jumping, slalom, and tricks. After working with Hieftje, Zeisler met Allan Golabek, a motorcycle crash survivor who had lost his vision during the incident. While in the hospital, his mother read about LOF in The Newtown Bee, and soon after Golabek started water skiing with LOF, too. Golabek went on to claim a few world champion titles himself.

Around 2004, LOF started to look at accommodating individuals with other disabilities. There are opportunities for everyone to try out water skiing — amputees, individuals with autism spectrum disorder, or paraplegics — LOF has adaptive equipment to accommodate any participant of any age and any ability.

“I would say … [we never] turn down any disabilities. We can make sure they ski and have fun out there, and bond, and get some exercise,” Zeisler explained. Now, in its 35th year, LOF is still preparing for a jam-packed summer season.

Zeisler said there are events almost every day in the summer, from private groups to open ski sessions. The first event is on June 6 for a volunteer training day. Training starts at 9 am with classroom style instruction. After a brief lunch break, the training then becomes hands-on and in the water. Seasoned volunteers and staff members will be there to help newcomers. Zeisler stressed that no experience is necessary, and that LOF is always looking for volunteers.

LOF has had staff members from all over the world. Through Camp America, a full-service cultural exchange summer camp staffing resource, Zeisler has had staff members from Brazil, the United Kingdom, Australia, and more. This year is no different — two individuals will be joining from the United Kingdom and Turkey. This year, staff and volunteers will be preparing to bring skiers to Orlando, Florida and beyond. In the past, LOF Adaptive Skiers have competed in events in Rhode Island, New York, Scranton, New Hampshire, Maine, and more. LOF has secured a boat which will be permanently housed in Orlando by family members of Zeisler’s.

Summer Events

Zeisler is continuing to plan the summer season, but already has a few events ready to go. As mentioned, the first is the volunteer training day on June 6.

Sometime in June, there will be a large two-day event where families will be invited from all over. Friday will be an all-day ski with provided lunch and a banquet. Saturday will be a half-day ski with lunch. Zeisler shared that he likes to wrap up events on the weekend earlier in the day to beat boat traffic as Lake Zoar can get crowded on the weekends.

Zeisler will bring back “Dam Busters” this year, too. At first, it was a fundraiser for the group, but now it is a 22-mile boat ride with skiing and lunch. He explained the name came from WWII terminology when Americans and the British used low-flying planes to bomb dams in Germany.

The event will have no bombs, but it will be hosted between Shepaug Dam and Stevenson Dam on Lake Zoar. There can be up to 30 skiers on this trip, with five to six boats out on the water at once.

Zeisler said, “It starts early in the morning … Not only will there be able-bodied skiers, there’ll be disabled skiers. Some of the able-bodied skiers will help the disabled skiers a little bit on the way down. Eleven miles one way, eleven miles back, but there is a break in between. It’s fun, it’s challenging.”

While the official date is not set yet, it is tentatively scheduled for July.

Other, smaller events LOF is planning include a kayak ski day with a local environmental group on June 13, a closed private clinic for veterans on June 17, and an open event for all ages and abilities on June 23, 27, and 29. The open clinics require a $35 refundable deposit.

Most of these events will take place at LOF Beach, 351 River Road, Southbury. However, LOF will be all over the place, starting in Edison, New Jersey for Abilities Expo May 1-3.

This is just a sample of what LOF has to offer this year. For more information regarding volunteering, becoming a participant, or donations, go to lofadaptiveskiers.org, call 203-426-0666, or e-mail lofskiers@gmail.com.

=====

Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.