Bill served twenty-five years as a municipal police officer and training sergeant. An off-duty motorcycle accident in 1999 resulted in T-7 paraplegia. After spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation, he was re-employed at the district 911 emergency dispatch center for five years before transitioning into the role as Director of United Spinal Association’s national Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center for sixteen years.
Waterskiing was always a passion for Bill and his family so returning to adaptive waterskiing after injury was a natural progression. He lives with family in Virginia Beach, VA and serves on the Board of Directors of Virginia Beach Adaptive Watersports to continue sharing his passion for waterskiing with both the disabled and non-disabled communities.
Curt learned how to waterski in Virginia Beach at age 7 In Broad Bay, one of the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. He joined the Virginia Beach Water Ski Club (VBWSC) in 1976. As a member of VBWSC he became involved in tournament skiing, show skiing, ski racing and barefoot skiing. Curt held several offices in VBWSC including club president for a number of years. In 1980 he became a lifetime member of the club. Curt started barefooting when he was 22 years old. Now 39 years later, barefooting is his favorite form of waterskiing. He would tell you, “I wish I had penny for every time I did a faceplant. Even old barefooters can dip a toe at any time.” Over time VBWSC faded into a dormant club, but the skiers reorganized with the emergence of Virginia Beach Adaptive Watersports (VBAW). Curt now serves on the VBAW board of directors to share his love of waterskiing with disabled veterans, disabled individuals, children with autism and others with various disabilities. VBAW works with Special Olympics, United Services Organization (USO), Determined to Heal (D2H), Helping the Homefront, and local community organizations. It is so awesome seeing the smile on people’s faces when we teach them how to waterski. Curt is certified as an official boat driver by USA Waterski, which is the national governing organization. He provides his 1988 MasterCraft Platinum ProStar 20th anniversary edition ski boat to help at VBAW events. Curt hopes to keep skiing as long as he can, and continue to share this family sport with multiple generations.
Ed was stationed in Chesapeake, VA in 1997. In 2000 he bought his first “real” ski boat, a 1988 MasterCraft; joined Virginia Beach Water Ski Club (VBWSC) and retired from the US Marines. It was a busy year. He was an active member and officer of VBWSC for several years. When adaptive waterskiing was introduced to Virginia Beach, Ed helped to coordinate volunteers to support the USO event and later helped Dallas Norman to establish Virginia Beach Adaptive Watersports (VBAW).
Ed has been active in all facets of VBAW planning and operations, but his favorite part is getting on the water with the amazing volunteers and inspirational participants. Water skiing is one of his strongest passions and being part of the water skiing community is one of his greatest joys.
Ed is also a member of Beaver Lake Ski Club in Gates County NC and plans to continue skiing with friends and family as long as God grants him strength to do so.
John’s waterskiing adventures started at an early age in the Virginia Beach Water Ski Club, where he was introduced to the world of Tournament Skiing, Show Skiing, Ski Racing and the always thrilling sport of Barefooting. He also served as the President of VBWSC for many years, and to this day he sometimes wonders (with a smile) … what we were thinking back then?
While attending Virginia Tech in the early 80’s, John was involved in the formation of the Virginia Tech Water Ski Club, where he also served as a Club officer during some of his time there. As a Club, there was great pride in purchasing the very first VT Water Ski Club boat directly from MasterCraft in Maryville, TN, and he recalls that there was a lot of car washing and donut selling going on in FoxRidge in those days. It is satisfying to report that same 1983 MasterCraft ProStar is still going strong in the VTWSC Alumni family.
In retrospect John’s addiction to Water Skiing has allowed him to meet some incredible people over the years, and his involvement with the volunteers and participants associated with Virginia Beach Adaptive Watersports (VBAW) has been nothing short of amazing. Having the opportunity to serve others in our local communities through the sport of water skiing is such a blessing on all sides. Together, we have, and will, make memories on many fronts that will last a lifetime. So, THROW ME A ROPE!
Katherine grew up in California and settled in Virginia Beach in 2006. She’s a Certified Public Accountant with a love for the outdoors – especially the water. Sharing her enjoyment of outdoor activities and connecting communities has become one of her passions. She started volunteering with VBAW in 2016 and has been an active member of the board ever since. During our events, she organizes the registration, helps keep the flow of participants moving smoothly through out the day, and acts as one of our many public correspondents.
Board Member
Wes was very fortunate to have grown up on the ocean and lake and participated in several water sports activities throughout his life. He has been waterskiing since he was very young but had not waterskied for years until he connected with the not-for-profit Virginia Beach Adaptive Watersports Foundation, which revived his love for waterskiing. Growing up his family always taught him that it was important to give back to your community and those people who might not be as lucky as you are or who may not have had the same opportunities as you did. Wes’ family was a Foster Care family when he was growing up and they had lots of kids, even some with disorders or disabilities, which is when he discovered his passion for his career. Wes is a Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst, who is the Founder and Executive Director of an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) organization called LumaPaths Behavioral Services, PLLC in Virginia Beach. Wes has been working and volunteering with many different organizations and nonprofits over his 20+ year career. LumaPaths is also partnered with another not-for-profit called The Eliza Hope Foundation whose mission is to provide a center that meets the individualized needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental delays.
Wes started working with the Virginia Beach Adaptive Watersports Foundation as a volunteer and side-skier in 2019. After that very first event Wes realized that he wanted to be able to contribute further and help serve more participants for the foundation than just working events a few times a year. Wes joined the Board of Directors later that summer in August of 2019.
From that first event when he saw those participants smiling and joyful faces after their first ski, he was hooked. This brought Wes the incredible feeling of sharing in their discovery of the love for water as he did when he was a young boy. Working with the foundation has been remarkable and it inspires Wes to want to change the lives of every participant and family member for the better. He is so honored with the work that they have done and the amazing things that they will continue to do as this foundation strives to reach its fullest potential!