SHREWSBURY, MA — A sold-out water ski event for veterans and their families will return to Lake Quinsigamond next week.
The New England Water Ski Collective will host its 3rd Annual Veterans Water Ski Event from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, at the Donahue Rowing Center in Shrewsbury. The free event will offer water skiing, adaptive skiing, lunch and community support for veterans, families, volunteers and spectators.
The event has 36 participants signed up and is sold out. According to the New England Water Ski Collective, USA Water Ski has designated it as one of the largest veterans water-ski events in the country.
The event is open to able-bodied and disabled veterans, with participants able to try stand-up skiing, sit-skiing, and adaptive water-ski equipment. Volunteers will provide instruction, equipment assistance and on-water support throughout the day.
“This event is one of the best ways we know to say thank you to our veterans,” Ryan DesRoches, director of adaptive skiing, said in a statement. “We get to share what we love most — being on the water, having fun and helping people try something new. Our hope is that every veteran leaves with smiles, laughs and a real sense of accomplishment.”
Veterans and volunteers will also receive a BBQ-style lunch catered by Bistro Eighty Ates in Webster. The full event, including lunch, is free for veterans.
The organization said demand for its Adaptive Ski Program has grown, with all adaptive events in Massachusetts now sold out for the season. The New England Water Ski Collective hopes to expand its offerings in 2027 with help from donors, sponsors and community partners.
To support the event, the boat ramp at 37 Tamarack Lane in Shrewsbury will be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 7. A no-wake zone will also be in place from the Donahue Rowing Center to the Route 9 bridge during those hours to reduce boat traffic and create a safe ski area.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and cheer on participants at the Donahue Rowing Center. More information about donating to or sponsoring the Adaptive Ski Program is available here.
See Also:
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Shrewsbury, MA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.