110 -mile Lake Champlain journey for a cause
By John T Ryan
Meeting fascinating, very nice people is one of the best parts of publishing the Peru Gazette. This morning at Ausable Point, I encountered Cathy Webster, a resident of South Hero, VT. as she departed on the second leg of a 110-mile kayak journey the length of Lake Champlain from Benson, VT. to the Canadian border at Mississquoi Bay. Why? Webster manages the Northeast Disabled Athletic Association (NDAA). Its motto is “Breaking Down Barriers One Paddle at a Time…leave your chairs and canes on the shore, and explore the beautiful Vermont shorelines.”
NDAA is open to all individuals with mobility impairments. Volunteers supervise and assist each participant. Kayaks have seats, pontoons for added stability, and specialty paddles. NDAA goes hand in hand with Cathy’s professional life as a physical therapist. She said, “This journey is a celebration of the program’s 10th year; it memorizes the people who have participated.” Webster said many suffered strokes, experienced head or spinal injuries, or experienced all kinds of disabilities.”
Cathy departed Ausable Point saying, “If anyone would like to help the program, they can go to kayak@disabledathletes.org or FB NDAA Kayaking.”
The NDAA phone number is 802-862-6322. Click here for an MYNBC5 story on Cathy’s journey.
Posted: May 26th, 2025 under Adirondack Region News, Border News, City News, General News, Lake Champlain News, Northern NY News, Regional NY-VT News.