Adapted History

In 1987 the first World Trophy was held in England, with officials from Europe, Africa, the Middle Eastern Region and the Pan Am region. There were 40 contestants from 7 countries that participated in the event. As there was a lack of participation in the event, it was called a World Trophy instead of a World Championship. There were two other World Trophy events held in 1989 and 1991.

By this time an IWSF Disabled Commission had been established, but the IWSF was pushing to move towards council status. This status was finally achieved in 1992 by means of increased participation and the establishment of standard rules.

With the ever-growing popularity of Adaptive Skiing, 1993 marked the first year for the World Championships, held in Roquebrune, France. There were at least three officials from each Region as per the new rules and a record 84 participants from 15 countries. The USA won the team title ahead of Great Britain and Australia.

Presently the World Championships take place bi-annually. Adaptive Skiing has also spread into Canada with 2004 marking the first ever Canadian National Adaptive Championship, held in Montreal, Quebec.

WORLD TOURNAMENTS

1987 - The first World Trophy, a non-record event, took place outside London in England with officials from the European, African, Middle Eastern (EAME) Region and one from the Pan Am Region. There were 40 participants from 7 countries. Great Britain won the team title ahead of the USA & Australia.

1989 - The Second World Trophy, a national record capability event, took place outside Perth, Australia with officials from the Asia-Australasian Region and one each from the Pan Am and EAME Regions. There were 55 participants from 9 countries. Great Britain won the team title ahead of the USA & Australia.

1991 - The Third and final World Trophy, a world record capability event, took place in Michigan, in the USA with at least two officials from each Region. There were 65 participants from 12 countries. Great Britain won the team title ahead of the USA & Australia.

1993 - The first-ever World Championships, a world record capability event, were held in Roquebrune, France with at least three officials from each Region as per the new rules. There were a record 84 participants from 15 countries. The USA won the team title ahead of Great Britain and Australia.

1995 - The second World Championships were held in Mulwala, Australia with 56 athletes from 12 countries. Nineteen world records were set. The USA won the team title ahead of Great Britain and Australia.

1997 - The third World Championships were held in Florida in the USA with 66 athletes from a record 16 countries. Sixteen world records were set and one equaled. Great Britain won the team title ahead of the USA & Australia.

1999 - The fourth World Championships were held outside London, at the site of the first World Trophy. There were 75 athletes from 15 countries. Eleven world records were set. The USA won the team title ahead of Great Britain and Australia.

2001 - The fifth World Championships were held near Melbourne, Australia. There were 57 athletes from 15 countries, the best attendance to date both in athlete and country numbers in the AA Region. Eight world records were set. Great Britain won the team title ahead of the USA and Australia. At the WSWC Congress in St. Johns, Newfoundland an adaptive water ski presentation was given, providing many WSWC stakeholders with their first exposure to it and creating a national interest in providing water ski opportunities for persons with a disability.

2003- The sixth World Championships, and the sport's tenth anniversary, took place in Florida, USA. There were 68 athletes from 15 countries. Canada had a team of 3 athletes competing. Eight world records were set and one tied. USA won the team title ahead of Great Britain and Italy. Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada establishes its Adaptive Water Sports Committee.

2004 - SkiAbility was initiated in Canada with the assistance of Sport Canada's Sport Participation Development Program. Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada partners with its provincial affiliates to purchase a variety of adaptive water ski equipment to be used by SkiAbility programs across Canada. The first National Adaptive Water Ski Championships were held in Montreal, Quebec in conjunction with the barefoot nationals.

2005 - The sixth World Championships took place in Schotten, Beligum in September. A team of 2 skiers represented Canada, bringing home one bronze medal. The first SkiAbility facilitator clinic was held at Lac Brome, Quebec with 20 facilitators from across Canada attending to learn about developing and delivering SkiAbility programs. Ten regionally based SkiAbility programs are established across Canada.

2006 - The first Pan American Disabled Water Ski Championships were held in Winter Haven, Florida. Canada was represented with a team of 5 athletes, winning a total of 7 medals. The National Adaptive Water Ski Championships were held in Ottawa, Ontario. SkiAbility continued to thrive, attracting new skiers and volunteers to support the programs. A national train-the-trainer clinic was held in Florida to provide those who played a lead role in each regional SkiAbility program with training so that they could return to their regions and train others to develop and deliver SkiAbility programs.

2007 - Townsville, Australia hosted the 7th World Championships. A team of 5 Canadians attended, winning a silver and bronze medal. Canada placed 7th out of 15 teams. The National Adaptive Water Ski Championships were held in Winnipeg, Manitoba.