Summertime fun

MAT-SU — When Dillon Hudzinski pumps his fist and waves his arm, he wants to go faster.

On Saturday, that’s exactly what the 14-year-old had the chance to do.

Hudzinski was one of more than 40 individuals with special needs who had the opportunity to participate in a variety of water activities at the annual Challenge Alaska Summer Splash, hosted by the Palmer Elks Lodge on Finger Lake.

Like many others who attended the 12th annual event, Hudzinski took his turn on the jet ski, skipping the waves that rolled across Finger Lake, and found a spot on the inflatable Sea Doo ski tube, which was speedily towed behind a jet boat across the water of the Mat-Su lake.

“He likes it when it goes fast,” Lori Jacober, a care-giver of Hudzinski, said after Hudzinski took a ride in the ski tube. “He knows the sign to tell them to go fast.”

Jacober said Hudzinski has had the chance to participate in many of the activities the event has to offer, but the riding the ski tube, the jet ski and the boats are his favorite.

This is the first time Jacober has attended the event, but Hudzinski is a regular.

“I think it’s great they put this on for the kids and adults,” Jacober said. “(They) get to do all the fun summertime sports.”

Ray Nabinger and his son Jarrod also took a ride in the ski tube with Hudzinski, and the Nabinger’s are also no stranger to the fun the Summer Splash event has to offer.

“We go every year,” Ray Nabinger said, as Jarrod waited for his next activity. “We’ve got it circled on the calendar for next year already.”

Nabinger, of Eagle River, said he’s been bringing Jarrod to Summer Splash for more than 10 years, but it’s not the only Challenge Alaska program the family is active in.

“We participate with Challenge as much as we can,” Nabinger said, noting activities such as skiing and snowmaching in the winter.

But on Saturday, it was all about the summer fun.

There were activities for those who wanted some calm afternoon enjoyment, and there was a chance for participants — like Hudzinski — to get to go fast.

There were canoes and kayaks available and a large pontoon boat gave larger groups a leisurely ride around the lake.

And then there were the toys on the other side of the speed spectrum — jet skis, tube rides and water skiing.

“It’s an opportunity to get out and try some new sports and new leisure skills, recreation skills,” Challenge Alaska therapeutic recreation coordinator Shawna Wold said.

Wold said Summer Splash is also a social activity clients long look forward to.

“It’s a great social event for a lot of our clients,” Wold said. “A lot of time they don’t get that connection.

“It’s an opportunity to get out and meet new people, and try new activities.”

Wold said the ages of participants ranged from 5 years old up into the mid-30s on Saturday. The event also included games on the lawn that the borders the lake, a barbecue and chance for families to interact.

Like in the past, Challenge Alaska received a tremendous amount of help in both the organization and the running of Summer Splash, with businesses such as Alaska Toy Rental, the Personal Watercraft Club of Alaska and the Palmer Elks Lodge donating time and resources, Wold said.

“There are a lot of different clubs, organizations and businesses that helped out,” Wold said.

Alaska Toy Rental, for example, donated the use of one jet ski and offered a discounted rate on others. The PWCA was on hand to offer assistance, and the Palmer Elks Lodge helped provide food for the barbecue.

In addition to the three Challenge Alaska staff members, Wold said there was a large contingent of volunteers on hand to act as lifeguards and help the participants in and out of the water.

Chuck Pfiefer, a local teacher and coach, was one of those volunteers.

“This is huge (for them),” Pfiefer, who spent the afternoon handing out life vests for the participants, said. “It’s an opportunity to make them feel like they don’t have any special needs.”

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.