Splashing Out for The Summer (2/2) By Michelle Dee and Lottie Clark

(1/2), (2/2).

I started talking to one of the instructors and he suggested that I too have a go. He dismissed my feeble oh but I can't swim with a wave and said that they would see that I was okay. Now, I have not been in a swimming pool since I was thirteen or fourteen, so the idea of going out in open water, let alone skiing was a simultaneously daunting but thrilling prospect.

Soon after, I was in a tight fitting wetsuit and lifejacket, having a dry run of starting position and skiing position on the jetty. Minutes later I was in the water with two instructors either side of me, with my skis pointing up, my knees pulled up tight to my chest and my arms outstretched holding on to a long bar, I waited for the signal to go.

It has to be said that my first attempt wasn't particularly successful I fell forward soon after as my legs escaped from underneath me and I felt my arms being dragged out of their sockets.

The second time I remembered to keep my knees bent and inline with my toes, with my eyes fixed straight ahead I set of again. It really is an amazing feeling skimming gliding through the water especially when you manage to stay upright for a bit longer than fifteen seconds. I managed to go twice round the lake without falling all though their were a good few times when I heard David the instructor yelling, bend your knees, arms out, don't fight it.

On my left I could hear Charlie saying, you're doing really well keep going, and similar words of encouragement. Back on dry land I was left feeling exhilarated and immensely pleased with myself.

All of the team were friendly and enthusiastic people and it was refreshing to meet such a committed set of people. The work they do is heart warming and the affects on individual lives are unquantifiable. I, like Lottie can't wait to go again. I intend to do just that when they hold another waterskiing day on Saturday 25th June at Welton near Hull.

The British Disabled Waterskiing Association is divided up into various regions our nearest group is Yorkshire and Central group who run events throughout the area. Their motto is If we can improve someone's standard of life even for just ten minutes then it's worth doing. You just have to look at the skiers faces when they've been out on the water...that's why we do it. One of the volunteers called Lesley told me about one of the disabled people who has skied with the group: There's a young girl who comes and she doesn't react much to any stimulus, but when she's skiing she suddenly comes to life.

As with so many charity organisations the B.D.W.S.A. need support and funding, an average two day course can cost anywhere up to £400.00. Expenses add up when you think about the cost of boat fuel, van fuel, equipment costs and sometimes there is a charge for the hiring of the lake.

Many thanks to Calmwater Bay Ski Club for letting us use their changing facilities and for waving the hire charge at Knaresborough. Even, the fully qualified instructors give up their time and expertise for free. They could benefit greatly from sponsorship and events to raise funds so they can continue to offer this unique opportunity to people coping with disabilities.

The key is that they have a range of equipment to suit all participants, and pick and choose the appropriate one given the desired goals. As well as normal skiing which costs £20 for a full day, they also operate a system of sponsored skiing, which they use to raise funds. Anyone, whether with a disability or not, can take part in this and be taught to ski. They ask that the prospective skier raise a minimum sponsorship amount of £50, which is payable on the day. Please ask for a sponsorship form if you know of anyone that might be interested!

Skiers also need to bring a spare set of clothing, a towel and ideally a swimming costume. They will provide wet suits or dry suits (these are far easier for a disabled person to put on) as appropriate. You can contact the Yorkshire and Central group through Alisdair on 0115 9756168 / 07970 617441 For more information and a full list of dates both local and nationwide go to www.bdwsa.org.uk.

Sports, Football - In Reply To Football Sugar Daddies - Helping or Killing (By Steve Everett) By Gareth Marshall

	First of all, I have to concede that I actually agree with Steve about the crux of his article. There's nothing more satisfying than seeing a team who seemingly represent everything that is bad about the modern game and who have pretty much had riches and success handed to them on a plate Read more...

Sports, Football - Football Sugar Daddies - Helping or Killing By Steve Everett

	Tuesday 22nd March. One of the richest clubs in the world, Manchester United, announce a shocking 50% drop in profits over the last half a year, claiming to have fallen victim to falling T.V. income and the cost of buying new players. This comes months after Read more...

Sports, Rally - The 2005 Alternative Sign Centre Robin Hood Forest Stages Rally - 12th and 13th March 05 By Matt Rudd

	The rally as based around the Sherwood Forest Complex which did when there were lots of merry men and women competing in their brilliant rally cars. I didn't see many people in green tights like of the Robin Hood film but you never know what Read more...

Sports - Hull Stingrays End of the Season 05 By Matt Photos by Arthur Foster

	After 2 overtime loses and 1 win in the playoffs, the Rays needed two wins from this weekend's home and away games against the Dundee Stars and Guildford to beat the Vipers in their 2 games. First up was the home tie but it wasn't Read more...

Sports, Bowling - Ten Pin Bowling - Irish Open Championships By Dominic Gall

	Matchroom: have announced that the 2005 World Tenpin Masters tournament is to be held at the Dome Leisure Centre in Doncaster on 6th to 8th May. The field this year is truly world class including our own Paul Moor (European Champion) and several other world Read more...

Sports - Hull Stingrays vs Guildford Flames - Saturday 5th March 05 By Matt Photos by Arthur Foster

	On form, Guildford Flames visited the Hull Arena on Saturday night for a BNL play off match. Slava Koulikov took the lead for the Stingrays after 3:44 gone in the first period. Smarciak equalised for the Flames when he found some room behind the Read more...

Sports, Rally - The 2005 Kall Kwik and the Kall Kwik National Rally - Sunday 20th February By Matt Rudd

	The Kall Kwik rally based at Pickering in North Yorkshire is always one of those events where it is almost like summer time; warm and sunny. However in truth it is always cold and snowy. The event was the first round of the 2005 ANCRO Clubman Gravel Rally. Read more...

Sports - Hull Stingrays vs Newcastle Vipers - 2nd March 05 By Matt Photos by Arthur Foster

	After a 1-0 loss at home to Newcastle in the final league game of the season, the Vipers returned to the Hull Arena on Wednesday might for the first game in the playoffs. Longstaff opened the scoring after 5 minutes taking a shot Read more...

Kids, Sports, Rally - The Riponian Stages Rally 2005 - Sunday 6th February By Matt Rudd

	This was the first time I had ever been to this event and this event incidentally was my first of the year. At first light many crews weren't too happy with the conditions as many of the first runs through the stages were in heavy fog. Also the tracks were very Read more...

Sports - Hull Stingrays vs Edinburgh Capitals - 23rd February 05 By Matt Photos by Arthur Foster

	A under strength Edinburgh Capitals visited the Hull Arena on Wednesday night and Hull Stingrays can go into this Saturdays game against Newcastle Vipers on the back of a 7-1 victory over thier Scottish counterparts. Jeff Glowa opened the scoring after one and a Read more...

Sports - Hull Stingrays vs Guildford Flames - 12th February 05 By Matt Photos by Arthur Foster

	After a midweek 2-0 home defeat to newly crowned BNL champions Bracknell Bees, Guildford Flames visited the Hull Arena. It didn't take long for them to make Read more...

Sports - Hull Stingrays vs Edinburgh Capitals - 5th February 05 By Matt Photos by Arthur Foster

	Edinburgh Capitals were the visitors to the Hull Arena this weekend. Early on in the first the Capitals found the Stingrays napping and good work behind Ladislav Kudrna's net gave him space to chip the puck over Kudrnas stick and find Martin Cingel in front of the net to fire Read more...

Sports Football - Crouch Saves Redknapp from Pompey Return Southampton vs Portsmouth, 28 Jan 05 By Steve Everett

	A controversial penalty in stoppage time saved Harry Redknapp from a fiery return to his old club, but this game will undoubtedly re-ignite debate over video referees. The game seemed to be heading for a draw, when David Prutton Read more...