Joel       Zeisler Jump Guide 2003 Co- US TEAM Coach

Biography

Vital Statistics

Joel Zeisler                                 Sandy Hook, CT

Age 60                                                   Self employed

Born in   Bridgeport CT.                          Guiding for 10 years

Career Highlights

• Co-Coach of the 2003 US DisAbled WaterSki TEAM

• Red Cross Blood Donor

Hobbies

Ski Club Affiliation

Most fun skiing experience

People I look up to or who have helped me

That's Joel to the right, About ten years ago Joel received a phone call from US TEAM Member Mark Hieftje.  Mark had heard Joel was a jumper and wanted to learn to jump.  They chatted for about half an hour, and nice guy that Joel is, Joel invited Mark to his lake the following day to start jumping.  Just before they hung up Mark said, "Oh, by the way, I'm totally blind."  Joel didn't even miss a beat, asking "Is there anything else I should know?"  Mark said no, that was it.  The rest is history.

By the way, Joel was posing casually for his 5 year old son, Adam, in this shot at the Kilgour Estate Winery, at TEAM dinner in Australia.  He thought the picture would make Adam smile.  He's one cool, devoted,  Dad:)  (Joel also has two adult children.)

Joel began coaching Mark, guiding him to multiple National and World Championships. (That's Joel below, guiding Mark Hieftje to another Gold medal in Jump, this time at the 2001 Worlds in Australia.)

About 4 years ago Al Golabek entered Joel's life, now he's coaching and guiding both skiers.

Nowadays the Lake Zoar Water Ski Club of Sandy Hook, Connecticut (that's Joel's club) hosts at least two blind ski camps a year, bringing waterSkiing into the lives of the blind and visually impaired.

A jump guide skis alongside a blind skier, holding her or his elbow, calling out the distances to the ramp they're approaching.  The countdown stops at about 5 feet, when the guide shouts out "NOW!" or "FREEZE!", the guide goes around the jump, the skier goes over the top.  They meet when the skier touches down (or crashes).  For obvious reasons blind jumping is called "The Leap of Faith".

Joel told me about another "Faith" type event he experienced not that long ago.  Totally blind skier Al Golabek performed a brake job of Joel's truck.  Joel is completely trusting of Al's abilities (Al's a licensed plumber and woodworker), and was quick to point out that the truck stops just fine!  Whew! It's easy to understand why Joel's skiers have such faith in them . . . he trusts them no less.

Last Updated 10/07/03