LETTER: Adaptive sports advocates welcome wakesports ban at the Waterbury Reservoir
June 2, 2026
A Green Mountain Adaptive Sports athlete and volunteer enjoy kayaking on the Waterbury Reservoir. Courtesy photo
To the Community:
We at Green Mountain Adaptive Sports are so pleased with the recent decision to limit wake sports on Waterbury Reservoir.
GMAS partners with the Northeast Disabled Athletic Association to provide three days per week of adaptive kayaking on Waterbury Reservoir during the summer. Last year, our partnership provided access to the sport to about 75 individuals with disabilities.
The presence of wake sports on the reservoir would have had an exceptionally negative impact on this program. Many of the participants require significant modification of kayaks and paddles to take part in the sport. Most of the modifications are designed to create a safe and stable kayak that allows “every body” to experience success.
Being faced with the types of waves created by wake sports would have placed the adaptive kayakers at significantly increased risk of capsizing, a prospect that we work very hard to prevent. Negotiating large wakes would be virtually impossible for most of our paddlers.
The decision to restrict the use of wake sports at Waterbury Reservoir will guarantee that our many athletes with disabilities who kayak there can enjoy the waters safely and joyfully.
Cynthia Needham
Board of Directors President,
