Our organization was founded by Susan Richey, an occupational therapist and former Aquanut Water Ski Show Skier. During her first job at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Susan, along with Aquanut Water Ski team, they began hosting several adaptive ski programs each summer over 20 years ago. Since 1998 our experienced staff has provided the opportunity for skiing using a variety of adaptive equipment and a fun safe atmosphere. Our program provides individualized instruction and positive experiences for the many participants in a variety of community and recreational groups including Dreams for Kids, Wisconsin Independent Life college, and Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association.
In 2019 , we have established our very own non-profit organization, H2O Adaptive Sports, Inc. formerly known as Aquanut Adaptive Aquatics, and have expanded to host over 250 participants each summer and winter. In 2020, with the help of Dreams for Kids and Dave Lawless we added snow skiing to our program at Alpine Valley Ski Resort. Our adaptive volunteer team strives to spread successful opportunities for the sports of waterskiing and snow skiing to all individuals with different abilities throughout the Midwest.
Susan Richey MS, OTR/L is a former Aquanut Water Ski Show skier who received her Occupational Therapy degree in 1990 as an During her first job at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Susan began her passion of inclusion for the sport of waterskiing by completing training in Adaptive Water ski instruction from Operation Challenge by Bill Bowness. Susan then began hosting several adaptive ski programs each summer in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin which has continued for over 20 years now. Susan founded H2O adaptive sports, Inc. to expand the program to allow over 150 participants each summer over 8 clinic days, as well as added adaptive Snow skiing events. Susan served as the Wisconsin Water Ski Federation Adaptive Ski Representative for the past 5 years and is currently the Chair of Board on the USA-Adaptive Water Ski and Wake sports Association Board. She strives to spread successful opportunities for the sport of waterskiing to all individuals with different abilities throughout the Midwest and greater United States. Susan enjoys the lake life with her three children who grew up volunteering and continue to participate in all of our events.
Garrett Adams is a water sports enthusiast who grew up Twin Lakes, WI during the summer months. As former waterski show skier for 20 years, he became the president and show director of Aquanut Water Shows. He led the Aquanuts to become a two-time National Champion and three-time Wisconsin State Champion. After graduating from the University of Iowa, Garrett turned his passion for waterskiing into a career for 20 years in the waterski industry designing waterski, wakeboard and snowboarding equipment. Eventually, owning his own company, Westmark Sports, in California with 3 significant industry brands. He also served on the Water Sports Industry Associations Board of Directors. After moving back home from California, Garrett began helping his old buddy Sue, with adaptive waterskiing. Now fast forward 20 years, he is still offering the chance for people with disabilities to water ski and additionally snow ski, who really thought they could never achieve the ability or enjoy the excitement of these fast action sports. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Carolyn, and his two children, Trent and Payton. Both of whom help out at H2O events. When he’s not coaching baseball or soccer, he loves to snowboard, bike, hang glide, golf and go snowmobiling.
Married, 2 grown children (1 in Denver, 1 in Chicago). Business degree Univ of Michigan, MBA DePaul Univ. 20+ year volunteer for Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Assn as Track & Field coach, Events Coordinator, Wheelchair Maintenance, Construction Projects. Adaptive Waterski volunteer and previous Level 1 Adaptive Bi-Ski instructor. Also volunteer Tax Preparer through AARP Vita program. Hobbies include Biking, Softball, Running, Gardening, and Beer-Brewing.
Colleen Moore is a graduate of Loyola University-Chicago's Nursing School. She has extensive experience in long-term orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation and spinal cord injuries. She has volunteered for over thirty years with children with disabilities including Loyola University's Day School and Aquanut Adaptive Aquatics. She is a safety coordinator, fundraiser, and event planner for Aquanut Water Shows in Twin Lakes, WI. Colleen is currently employed by Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) as a 1:1 Nurse with a medically fragile student. She is passionate about sharing her love of the water with children and adults of all abilities.
Cindy Amore, RN, BSN- EMT, lifelong resident of Twin Lakes and avid water sport enthusiast. Growing up in Twin Lakes I became involved in waterski show skiing as a charter member of the Aquanut Water Shows in 1972. I have had the distinct honor to continue my involvement with the Aquanut Water Shows in many leadership capacities as a Board Member including Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President. I have also held a board of director position with the Wisconsin Water Ski Federation, chairing the committee on Grants, and involvement in the committee on Policy/ Procedures. I have been a an advocate for adaptive water ski programming at the local level and through the Wisconsin Water Ski Federation. As an Aquanut officer, I was involved in the ongoing development of the Adaptive Water Ski program that has grown into H2O Adaptive Sports. In addition to being a former show skier, I have spent many hours as the safety rider in a tow boat for the Aquanuts. I bring my my 45 years of experience as a healthcare provider and water sport enthusiast to my board member role with H2O Adaptive Sports. I currently reside in Twin Lakes with my husband, Buster. Locally I am involved as an EMS responder with the Twin Lakes Fire Department/ Rescue Squad. I have also served as a committee member on the Village of Twin Lakes Parks committee. I enjoy boating, skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and swimming with our family which includes our son Andy, daughter-in-law Colleen, and 2 grandsons-Parker and Leo. Our family experience with H20 Adaptive Sports, has given us great joy in sharing our love for the water with others who my not have had the opportunity.
Dave Lawless served on the Dreams For Kids board for 8 years and 15 years as a program director. It was during his time with DFK that Extreme Recess was created. This program was created to give kids of different abilities many sports options. He ran the adaptive snow ski program for DFK at Alpine Valley for 12 years before joining forces with Sue Richey to create the H20 Adaptive Sports winter ski team. Dave, with the help of his amazing group of safety skiers, hosts 5 ski events a year at Alpine Valley for all abilities and ages.
Jess Werbie is a Licensed Occupational Therapist who has practiced in the State of Illinois since 2018. Jess works with the pediatric population in an outpatient setting and through the state of Illinois’ Early Intervention Birth to Three Program. Jess is a born and raised Wisconsinite where she actively cheers for the Green Bay Packers from Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. She has grown up swimming, boating, kayaking, and spending time on local lakes in Wisconsin and around the Midwest.
She received her Bachelor of Science at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the Spring of 2016, and completed her Master’s in the Science of Occupational Therapy from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in Fall of 2018. Jess has experience working in the outpatient orthopedic setting, along with working in home-based settings where she has had the opportunity to work with a wide range of individuals with diverse developmental needs, cognitive challenges and physical disabilities.
As a graduate student, in Summer 2018, Susan Richey introduced her to the H2O adaptive ski program, where she found her passion for fostering inclusion and empowering those with diverse abilities to increase independence with community engagement through adaptive sports programs. Jess is an active member of the community as a member of My Team Triumph, as a volunteer who provides support for people with diverse abilities to come together in training, racing, and social events with the aim to address social isolation through a teamwork approach of endurance athletics.
Since 2019, Jess has been a registered therapy dog handler through Intermountain Therapy Animals, where her dog, Marty, accompanies her to work and adaptive ski events. Jess believes in the power of animal-assisted therapy to provide individuals with the opportunity to interact and bond with an animal to improve mood, social interactions, and create an overall balanced mental and emotional state.
In her spare time, if she isn’t cheering on the Packers at Lambeau Field, you will find Jess shredding on her snowboard in the mountains, competing in triathlons, or out on an adventure with Marty. Jess values time with her family, where she is an active participant with her niece’s and nephew’s lives teaching them how to snowboard, swim, and enjoy life outdoors!
Anna graduated summa cum laude from San Diego State University, where she was on the waterski team for four years. She also served as a Public Relations and sports club committee board member for one year on the SDSU water ski team. Anna has a passion for waterskiing and has competed in both show-skiing and collegiate three event skiing. She started volunteering at adaptive snow-skiing and water-skiing events when she was little due to her parents' involvement and developed a passion for sharing her favorite sports with others. Anna’s favorite part of being a part of H2O is seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they are independently doing an activity they never thought they would do, water-skiing.
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