Sarah World Water Ski Championships

Hello! My name is Sarah Switzer. I am a 17 year old paraplegic, born with Spina Bifida. I am also a junior in high school, living with my parents in Alabama. I am asking you to assist me with my water skiing goal to attend the 2017 World Disabled Water Ski Championships. At US Nationals, in October of this year, I was honored and humbled to be selected as one of 13 athletes to represent the United States of America at Worlds in Myuna Bay, Australia. Each team member must help to pay or defray all costs associated with all training and travel prior to and the travel and associated costs to and from and during the World Disabled Water Ski Championships.


You may have seen this picture, but did you know that is me? My birth story of experimental fetal surgery was featured in the December 1999 issue of Life Magazine. Despite being disabled, I do not allow my disability it to confine me, define me or limit me in any way.  I am blessed beyond measure and thank God for all he has done for me.


I have competed in the 2014 23rd US Disabled Water Ski Nationals in Talking Rock, Georgia, and the 2016 24th USDWS Nationals in Harmony, North Carolina. At my first competition I won a gold medal in slalom and a gold medal in trick for Seated Women’s Division. This past October I was classified as an MP5 for the Seated Women's Division. I won a gold medal in slalom, silver in overall and jump, and bronze in trick.
My first experience waterskiing was at Adaptive Aquatics in Wilsonville, Alabama, with executive director and fellow teammate Joe Ray, in 2007.



I really appreciate the support and dedication of my sponsors and coaches.

Sponsors:  Adaptive Aquatics Water Ski Team, Wilsonville Alabama.

Coaches and supporters: Joe Ray, Adaptive Aquatics; Bill and Denise Bowness, Unlimited Skiing, Mississippi;  Jeff Wiswall, Faith Lake, Alabama; and so many other friends, family and ski acquaintances. Thank all of you for supporting, coaching, mentoring, and helping me achieve my goals for reaching my highest performance on a world competition level!


Outside of waterskiing I hunt, fish, read, and play wheelchair basketball. I have also volunteered at my local veterinary clinic and police department kid’s camp.


After high school I would like to attend a four year college to study either sports psychology or veterinary medicine and minor in foreign language studies.


I ski on a Wark carbon fiber slalom ski, adapted Hyperlite wakeboard, and a Bushy board jump ski. My feet are secured with an custom velcro removable foot strap.


I will be traveling with Team USA to train and compete in Australia for one week of training and an additional week for competition.

Team management and members who have traveled to Australia before have estimated that expenses could be as high as $5,000 to cover flight, lodging accommodations, food, transportation, and training costs.

Please consider making a donation to support me and help Team USA win our 5th consecutive overall gold medal. I would greatly appreciate your support to reach this goal.

If you are interested in corporate or tax deductible contributions, please contact my dad at [email redacted].

Thank you so much for your time and assistance!

Sincerely,

Sarah Switzer
2017 USA Disabled Water Ski Team Member