The day begins at 9 am. Staff rifle through sheds and a trailer to pull out life jackets, sit skis, water skis, and, of course, the very well-loved tube. Boats are already in the water, the staff is getting participants to sign waivers, and shortly after everyone has on their bathing suits, the fun begins.

Leaps of Faith Adaptive Skiers (LOF) is a local water-skiing group that hosts small group events. LOF has groups for those on the autism spectrum, veterans with disabilities, and other physical disabilities. On Thursday, July 23, several residents from Oak Hill trekked out to 351 River Road for a day of fun.

The morning started with “Professional” Patty Mostowy hopping into the sit ski. Mostowy has been water skiing with LOF since 2010. She said she loves coming to LOF events because she gets “to see a lot of people [she has not] seen in a while.”

“I love the water,” Mostowy said. “I’m a water baby.”

Mostowy’s love of the water is known to the volunteers at LOF, hence why they call her “Professional Patty.” She was the first to go out onto the water, and came back with a smile plastered to her face.

Mostowy has visual impairments, but that has not stopped her from being a part of LOF and exploring what the program has to offer.

The full group of volunteers and staff take turns helping people in and out of the sit skis or water skis, depending on the person’s abilities and comfort level. While some are unable to water ski due to mobility issues, the LOF team provides brave souls with a “boom.” The boom is a large metal pole that securely attaches to the boat. The red tape at the end provides a tactile experience for those with visual impairments so they know they are grabbing the right portion.

Skiers hold onto the tape and try their hand at water skiing. The boom also has a rope attached to a pulley. As skiers build confidence, they can grab onto the handle and a staff member in the boat will slowly let the rope out, giving skiers the “long rope” experience.

Francis Hernandez was another skier who joined the group. He has been skiing with LOF since 2009.

“I like water skiing,” Hernandez said.

He certainly did not mince words. While Hernandez was on the sit ski, he also had a smile plastered to his face.

In fact, all the participants were smiling and laughing while going out on the water.

Some had companion skiers, or trained staff, to go out with them. Not all of the skiers present on July 23 were able to speak. Some were deaf, some were mute, and some had visual impairments. Other skiers had mobility impairments, along with intellectual disabilities, but there were not a lot of words that needed to be exchanged to understand what was happening.

People who oftentimes are left to watch on the sidelines were no longer watching — they were active participants taking charge of their own lives.

After everyone tried their hand at water skiing, either in the sit skis or on the boom, the group broke for lunch. Lunch is provided for all those who attend LOF events, caregivers included.

After lunch, Joel Zeisler, founder of LOF, offered boat rides to those who did not want to ski anymore. Zeisler’s other boat captain, Brian Briggs, attached the aforementioned tube for tubing.

The tube allows three passengers at a time and securely fits each rider. Tubing is clearly the best part of the experience, as many participants and caregivers expressed interest in going out for a spin.

After the trip on the tube, the day is over, just as quickly as it began. The participants return to their homes, the staff cleans up, and the Housatonic River returns to its placidity, ready for the next group of water skiers who load up on the dock.

For more information about LOF and what it offers, go to lofadaptiveskiers.org.

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