Wawota honoured one of its own on Saturday, Jan. 21 with its “Hometown Hero Fundraiser” in honour of world-class water skier and adaptive athlete, Blake Lamontagne, who will be representing Canada in April at the World Disabled Water Ski Championships in Myuna Bay, Australia.
Lamontagne, 26, became a T4 incomplete paraplegic after an automobile accident nine years ago. Since then, he has become a client services coordinator for Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan in Regina, was personally selected by Rick Hansen to become an ambassador for the Rick Hansen Foundation and has become a world-class adaptive althlete, who as a waterskier, competed for Canada at the 2016 Disabled Water Ski National Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina, which was his most recent step on the road to the Worlds in Australia.
The fundraiser, held at Wawota Town Hall- featured a meal created and catered by The Happy Nun- was the brainchild of Lamontagne's mother, Melanie Brimner and Happy Nun owner and chef, Katie Vinge.
“Melanie and I were at a hockey game,” says Vinge. “And we came up with the idea of a supper and dance.”
Vinge's husband and business partner, Riley Riddell adds: “I grew up in Wawota, I know Blake and we're honoured to be a part of this event. Blake's just a genuinely good guy and he's definitely overcome a lot. He was so involved in athletics growing up and it's great too see he's involved in them again- with sledge hockey and now, with becoming a world-ranked waterskier.”
During the event, Lamontagne spoke to his supporters, saying: “First of all, I'd like to thank Katie and Ryan from The Happy Nun for the amazing meal tonight. And I'd also like to thank my mom for organizing this event and all of the events I'm involved in. If she didn't organize these things, they wouldn't exactly be available to me, so thank you for everything.”
“And to all of you guys for coming tonight and supporting me and helping me go to Australia. This means more to me than you guys will ever know.”
“Being able to go and compete for Canada and also to do this for myself- I'm beyond excited.”
Lamontagne added: “I'm getting on a plane Feb. 5 and I'll be going to train in Brisbane (Australia) for two-and-a-half months and then, on April 24, we head to Myuna Bay where the competition is and I'll be there to compete.”
“Thank you guys so much from the bottom of my heart for coming here and helping me to support this dream.”
Riddell spoke for the crowd when he said: “We're happy to support him. Blake's an inspiration to a lot of us.”
To contribute, visit Wawota's Conexsus Credit Union. E-transfers can be made via: [email protected] To learn more, contact Melanie Brimner at: (306)-577-7484.
