KUSA – The waves were choppy Sunday afternoon, but it didn’t stop a crowd from taking on a new sport at Standley Lake. More than 35 people with amputated limbs or other physical challenges took part in a wake surfing clinic.
“We have patients out here today all the way from little kids, the pediatric population, all the way to seniors,” said Scott Taylor. “This is a day to build community and to bring out amputees and disabled folks and teach them how to get out and wake surf.”
Taylor is a business development manager with Hangar Clinic, a local prosthetics and orthotics provider. The company teamed up with marine dealership Tommy’s and the City of Westminster to put on the fourth annual, adaptive wake surfing day at Standley Lake. Professional instructors were on hand including professional adaptive wake surfer, Lexi Youngberg.
“She lost her leg in a boating accident and didn’t give up and she’s gotten right back in the water,” Taylor said.
The wake surfing clinic toured the country for the first time this year, making stops in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Orlando, Florida.
“It’s basically a fun activity for people like myself to get out there and challenge themselves and see how we can conquer the water,” Eli Miramontes said.
Miramontes, 24, has already conquered a lot in life.
“I was out on vacation at 19-years-old and I woke up from a coma nine days later without my limb,” Miramontes said.
Doctors amputated Miramontes’ right leg above his knee after an infection spread.
“It’s been a blessing, honestly. At the end of the day just because you can learn how to appreciate life,” he said.
Miramontes participated in the event at Standley Lake last year. He came back Sunday afternoon to take on the challenge again. He said he loves the feeling of being in the water and the thrill of riding a wakeboard.
“I feel like you free yourself,” he said. “You’re just going with the flow of the water and the flow of the boat.”
The clinic was free to participants who also had a chance to test out the latest prosthetic devices.
