Ski-A-Rees and Special Guests Perform to Help Injured Athlete– Public Invited to “Ryan Bergeron Day” March 22Local waterskiing professional, Ryan Bergeron, struck a concrete wall while performing at an exhibition last summer in Brazil, losing the use of both his legs. A fundraising benefit for this brave 22-year-old is being held to help with Ryan’s staggering medical bills. Sunday, March 22, has been named Ryan Bergeron Day at Ski-A-Rees. Bergeron, who graduated from Manatee High School in 2005, loves to ski. Ryan has been performing for the audience’s enjoyment with the Ski-A-Rees for ten years. He was the winner of the Lynn Novakowski award before going on to ski professionally. He attended the University of North Florida prior to the accident where he majored in Construction Management. Following the accident, he transferred to the University of South Florida and is now majoring in business. Admission to the fundraiser exhibition is free and will include the Ski-A-Rees show with skiers from the region including members of Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team, and Gatorland Water Ski Show Team (Gainesville, FL), a professional water ski show, ski demonstrations and live music. Shows will run continuously between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Waterskiing legends from Cypress Gardens will be on hand to support the event. Bergeron, using a specially made ski, will also perform during the exhibition at Ken Thompson Park behind Mote Marine. Chef Raymond Arpke, proprietor of Longboat Key’s Euphemia Haye Restaurant and father of Kate Arpke, a former Ski-A-Rees performer, will participate in the fund raising event. They have generously offered to provide grilled chicken and honey-mustard sandwiches, a longtime favorite of the team. Proceeds from the concessions and donations will support Ryan Bergeron Medical Account. For additional information, contact Brad Satterlee at Ski-A-Rees, (941) 302-3358 or visit our web-site at www.skiarees.com/ryan . Send donations to: Ryan M Bergeron Medical Account, c/o Sarasota Ski-A-Rees, P.O. Box 1493, Sarasota, FL 34230.
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