A shared love for the water
Waterskiing is a notoriously difficult activity, but the thrill of the water splashing and wind blowing past while skimming across the water surface are good reminders of why our local lakes are such an integral part of summer.
Grace Petzold and her mother, Wendy, have always loved waterskiing. During a trip to Florida more than a decade ago, they attended an all-ability ski program which allowed Wendy, who is paralyzed from the waist down, to ski alongside her daughter Grace. This bonding experience led Grace, with the help of her parents, to found Graceful Wakes, Inc. in 2015, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. “Our main mission is to provide accessibility to water sports,” said Grace.
Building a community on the lakes
Since its founding, the nonprofit has partnered with ski clubs across Wisconsin and the country to provide adaptive water ski events. The events provide an opportunity for people with disabilities to engage with the lakes in a fun and active way. In 2023, Graceful Wakes began partnering with southern Wisconsin’s Mad-City Ski Team to co-host these events on the Yahara lakes. The Mad-City Ski Team provides boats, volunteers, and food, while Graceful Wakes handles the outreach, communication, and adaptive skiing equipment. The specialized gear includes chairs that allow participants to ski while sitting, along with a mount to hold the tow rope for those unable to grip it themselves. As Grace explained, “The skier is able to sit while two trained side-skiers help them up.”
A perfect day on Lake Monona
Last summer, the organizations partnered for their 3rd annual event at Schluter Park in Monona, Wisconsin. “As an ADA-accessible park with an excellent beach, it’s the ideal location for this event, and the Monona Parks Department allows us to utilize it for the day at no cost,” said Cody Jaworski, president of the Mad-City Ski Team and Clean Lakes Alliance Community Board member. “Graceful Wakes is by far the most rewarding event that I get to be a part of with Mad-City Ski Team.”
The result of this collaboration: a day full of smiles, splashes, and thrills. People from across the Midwest traveled to Lake Monona to experience the excitement of waterskiing. This included Carissa Leach who traveled with her mother, Rachel, from Stevens Point, Wisconsin, to participate. “This is amazing that they put on this event for the adults, families, and kids because we don’t get a lot of opportunities like this. It’s nice to have recreation available to everyone right in the middle of the city. You can’t ask for much more,” said Rachel.
One by one, children and adults headed out for their waterskiing loop on Lake Monona as the event kicked off. Jim Reinwand, a former barefoot skier said, “The spray on your face is awesome. I appreciate all of the people who put on this event.”
Tubing, teamwork, and togetherness
After the thrill of skiing, the Graceful Wakes event turned to another lake favorite: tubing. Makenzie Ramsey from Winnebago, Illinois, came to participate with her family. She was happy to finally spend time on the lakes that she otherwise drives past to get to other destinations, and was thrilled to go tubing later in the day. Her mother, Missy, elaborated, “We’re just thankful there’s an organization that provides [skiing and tubing]. It’s a great opportunity for kids who don’t get to do it every day, and to also have some fun.”
Wendy Petzold, who helped Grace with the founding of Graceful Wakes, loves to see the joy of people’s friends and families as they rise out of the water on the adaptive ski. “It’s not just the smiles on the skiers’ faces, but also their parents seeing them do things they thought they’d never be able to do.”
Get involved with Graceful Wakes
Donate to support inclusive recreation or pre-register for the June 26, 2026, event at Schluter Park on Lake Monona (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.). Visit: facebook.com/gracefulwakes
Learn more
This article first appeared in the 2026 Teejop Regional Guide (formerly knows as the Greater Madison Lake Guide). Read more from the publication.
