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TOOELE COUNTY -- A group of disabled skiers was out enjoying the heat and water on one of the calmest lakes in the state Wednesday. They went to Last Chance Lakes, in a remote part of Tooele County.
This lake boasts perfect water every day, something these skiers need! Watching from the boat, nothing seems out of sorts with Dale Hull, but with a closer look you see he's an adaptive skier.
"I'm known as a walking quad," Hull said. He broke his neck 10 years ago and is slowly gaining control back of his body. Being out on the water is great therapy, both physically and mentally.
"Being out on day like today, and the water, and being on the boat, that's a great opportunity," he said.
Kristen Caldwell, with the National Ability Center, told KSL, "People are definitely excelling out here."
The National Ability Center has teamed up with the creator of Last Chance Lakes, Ricky Lybbert. The lake was built last year on the old Pony Express Trail. Eventually, homes will line the shore, and the man-made lake promises calm water for skiing every day.
"The length of the lake is perpendicular to the winds, so when the winds blow, it blows across, not down the lake, keeping ripples at minimum," Lybbert said.
"We usually hold our program at Jordanelle, which is windy and crowded, so a lot of chop out there, so this is ideal for skiers," Caldwell said.
It's especially ideal for these skiers, who have enough to focus on. Caldwell pointed out, "Adaptive skiers, you don't want any other distractions; you want a perfect calm water for the lesson."
Because of the calm water, most every athlete there skied their personal best.
Last Chance Lakes is private, but it's open once a week for disabled skiers. Otherwise, only homeowners who build on the shore will have access to it.
E-mail: abutterfield@ksl.com
