TRUCKEE, Calif. — Who says you need two feet to hang ten? On Lake Tahoe, High Fives Foundation is proving that the perfect wave belongs to everyone. Over the past three summers, the nonprofit’s Adaptive Wake Surf Tahoe Program has turned one of the world’s most iconic lakes into a playground of possibility for individuals with life-changing injuries.
Since launching in 2024, the program has delivered 116 surf trips, 453 hours on the water, and 303 athlete experiences. And the momentum isn’t slowing down. The 2026 season alone brought 38 surf trips, 160 hours on the water, and 96 adaptive athlete experiences, including 38 first-time experiences. But behind every statistic is a story of someone doing something they once thought impossible.
“Wake surfing is something I never even thought I’d be able to do. The first time successfully riding a wave behind the boat felt like pure freedom!” said High Fives athlete Justin Vezerian. “It reminded me that there really is a way to make anything happen.”
From athletes catching their first wave to experienced riders dropping the rope, mastering new boards, and learning tricks, the program is redefining what’s possible after a life-changing injury. With specialized adaptive equipment from Soulcraft and Macski, customizable waves aboard the MasterCraft XSTAR 25, and support from program sponsor SWIFT, athletes with spinal cord injuries, limb loss, traumatic brain injuries, and other mobility-limiting disabilities are finding new ways to experience the water.
For High Fives ambassador and staff member, Brierley McCubbins, the impact reaches far beyond the lake.
“With each wave caught and each surf session, I feel more and more confident both on the water, in my wheelchair, and with who I am today as an adaptive athlete. Your next great adventure can still lie ahead of you.”
As the program wraps up its third season, High Fives Foundation is already looking toward 2027, with plans to continue creating opportunities for athletes to discover new passions, build confidence, and experience the freedom of adaptive sports. Because on Lake Tahoe, the biggest waves aren’t always measured in feet. Sometimes, they’re measured in lives changed.
