Adaptive watersports

Water skiing and wakeboarding

Water skiing and wakeboarding are both inclusive sports which with the right attitude and some adapted equipment can mean those with even the most complex impairment can have a go at the sport.

Seated slalom

seated wakeboarder in action

The national governing body British Water Ski and Wakeboard (BWSW) is a great place to start your search to find out more about this sport and disability sessions near to you.

Find out more about Adaptive Watersports

The BWSW has a number of affiliated clubs that have specific training, equipment and experience in catering for participants with specific impairments. These clubs offer a variety of sessions for disabled people of all ages and abilities:

  • Beginner sessions and taster sessions
  • Specific sessions for disabled people
  • Family sessions
  • Social events with like-minded people

Find an Inclusive Site 

Club Finder Tool from BWSW  

BWSW works alongside Access Adventures (formerly known as the British Disability Water Ski and Wakeboarding Association) to improve and increase the opportunities available to disabled people in water skiing and wakeboarding. They have a dedicated facility where they run a number of open days, taster sessions, group sessions and residential courses throughout the year for disabled and non-disabled people. The volunteers and staff have a huge amount of knowledge and experience in getting disabled people onto the water and trying our sport in the best way

Access Adventures is a charity delivering life-changing sports and activities, including waterskiing and wakeboarding. We cater for all levels – from beginners through to advanced skiers and riders. Two of the founders have a disability themselves and are passionate about the benefits of adaptive sport.

Based at Edge Adaptive Sports Centre in Staines, there is a huge range of adaptive equipment available to ensure people with different disabilities can get out on the water and enjoy the thrill of waterskiing or wakeboarding. Our staff and volunteers are very experienced and will spend time fitting you with the most appropriate equipment on your first visit. New skiers are supported by instructors in the water. We always promote independence and progression where possible.

Seated skiers

Image courtesy of Access Adventures

Access Adventures offers regular adaptive waterski & wakeboard sessions, paddlesports taster sessions (sit-on-top kayaks & SUPs), plus some residential camps with on-site accommodation.

Get in touch with the team to experience the freedom of adaptive sport! Visit their website or email team@accessadventures.co.uk

Visit the Access Adventures website

“It is not an exaggeration to say that waterskiing & wakeboarding can be absolutely life-changing for many people with disabilities. It gives an incredible sense of freedom, boosts confidence and challenges expectations. Speaking from personal experience, adaptive waterskiing completely transformed my life following a spinal cord injury. That adrenaline rush was exactly what I’d been missing! The Access Adventures crew loves introducing people with disabilities to waterskiing and wakeboarding, it’s incredible to witness the huge smile the first time an individual gets behind a boat, doing something they never thought was possible!” – Jane Sowerby

Access Adventures is a registered charity delivering life-changing adaptive sports & activities. Their services are designed to challenge expectations and build self-confidence for people with disabilities (Visit their website or email team@accessadventures.co.uk)

If you would like more information about becoming more inclusive, considerations and adaptations for disabled participants or offering sessions to disability groups – email inclusive@bwsf.co.uk 

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