“Hit it!” yelled a volunteer, signaling T.J. Ikehara to stand on his water skis. A crowd cheered as a boat whizzed him around Prospect Lake.

After circling the lake three times, Ikehara waded back to shore, blinking water out of his eyes and offering two thumbs up.

Though water skiing isn’t new to the 26-year-old, who has a chromosomal abnormality called Prader-Willi syndrome, this was his second time completing three laps.

“Normally he gets halfway around the lake and falls,” said his mother, Terry Ikehara,. “His strength is getting better.”

Ikehara was one of 16 people who hit the water Wednesday with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services’ Therapeutic Recreation Program. For $10, the program provides 20 minutes of adapted water skiing for people ages 10 and older with physical and developmental disabilities.

Participants, with disabilities including autism and traumatic brain injury, signed up in May for one of six water-ski outings throughout the summer.

To get their feet wet, skiers start by being pulled on one- or two-person tubes. They progress to a sit ski, eventually practice holding onto a rope, and gradually move up to riding stand-up skis, accompanied by two chase boats. The opportunity to improve their skills empowers participants with a sense of freedom and accomplishment, program coordinator Felicia Barnhart said.

Melinda Jacobsen has been participating since the water skiing program began in 1997. Now, the 30-year-old, who has a developmental disorder, is fearless when it comes to water skiing, and she loves tracking her progress.

It’s helpful that the rotating group of 20 volunteers assures that each skier participates at his or her comfort level, Jacobsen said.

“Once you get used to it, it’s easy,” she said.

And when new skiers aren’t feeling as confident as the veteran, Jacobsen offers encouragement.

“Next time you can try to stand up if you want,” she told first-time water skier Ashley Price, hugging her tightly. “You could do it, too. I know you can.”

When Price, 23, got the jitters before taking off, all she needed was a bribe of a Starbucks hot chocolate to calm her nerves, said her mother, Amy Price.

Price participates in other activities through the Therapeutic Recreation Program, such as dancing, cooking and swimming. Seeing her persevere and succeed is an amazing sight for her family.

“She used to be so sick all the time,” said her grandmother, Barbara Price. Through the program, “you get to see her doing what everybody else is doing.”

Gentle pushes from coordinators and volunteers have boosted T.J. Ikehara’s self-esteem since his first time waterskiing six years ago.

“I think programs like this add to his quality of life and happiness,” his mother said. “I never take it for granted.”

Toweling off after his victorious laps around the lake, Ikehara paused to think of his favorite aspect of water skiing.

“To be standing up!” he exclaimed.

Volunteer Dan Ridderhoff gave Peter Kraska, 24, a ride on a personal watercraft. Kraska was participating in the city’s Adapted Water Skiing program Wednesday at Prospect Lake in Memorial Park. Photo by Christian Murdock, The Gazette