2026 New England Water Ski Collective Officers:

Originally from Venice, Italy, Leonardo moved to the U.S. to pursue a Master’s degree at WPI, where he met his wife. His waterskiing journey began in the early ’90s, introduced by his brother-in-law at Ramshorn Pond, Millbury. However, it wasn’t until 2012, skiing with his wife and two sons at Webster Lake, that he became truly passionate about the sport.

Since then, Leonardo has advanced from beginner skiing to competitive slalom, learning and growing with the support of his peers. A founding member of the Webster Water Ski Collective, Leonardo is committed to fostering community through waterskiing, from recreational skiing and teaching newcomers to promoting adaptive skiing and supporting competitive athletes. As president, his focus remains on the growth of the club and ensuring the highest level of safety for all members.

Nick is one of our original members and is a USA Water Ski certified driver and safety coordinator. You can find Nick on the slalom course when not driving during one of our ski nights.

Linda first learned to waterski at 12 and has enjoyed the sport intermittently throughout her life. However, it was moving to Webster Lake 11 years ago that ignited her deep passion for waterskiing. This year alone, she has skied 104 times and is still going strong!

As a founding member of the Collective, Linda’s love for waterskiing drives her to share that joy with others, especially through adaptive skiing programs that support individuals of all abilities. She has served as a Director/Officer since the club’s inception and hopes to continue in her role as Treasurer in the 2026 season. Linda is honored to contribute to the club’s growth and leadership.

Bio Coming Soon

Ryan DesRoches is the Director of Adaptive Skiing at the New England Water Ski Collective and a founding member of the organization. As the club’s first president, Ryan spearheaded the launch of the adaptive skiing program and continues to guide its growth and success. With over 30 years of water skiing experience, Ryan has held multiple leadership roles across various ski clubs, including president, treasurer, and secretary, and remains a dedicated advocate for making the sport accessible to all.

Ryan brings a wealth of expertise to the Collective as a USA Water Ski Certified Instructor, Adaptive Instructor, NSSA Driver, and Safety Coordinator. Off the water, he works as a software engineer and is a proud father to his 11-year-old daughter, who is also an avid skier. His family is soon welcoming a second dog (Samoyed), which he hopes to train as a therapy dog to support his passion for adaptive sports.

Whether he’s driving the boat, gliding on a slalom ski, or catching air on an air chair, Ryan is happiest when he’s out on the water. For him, skiing is not just a sport—it’s a way to empower others, celebrate progress, and share the joy of being on the water.

Joe Zmetra brings his passion and expertise for competitive water skiing to the New England Water Ski Collective as the Director of Three Event/Competition Skiing. With years of experience both on the water and in coaching, Joe has become a key leader in the Collective’s mission to foster skill development and a love for water sports within the community.

In his role, Joe oversees training and competition preparation across the three core disciplines of water skiing: slalom, trick skiing, and jump. Known for his patient teaching style and deep knowledge of technique, he works closely with athletes of all ages and skill levels, helping them improve their performance while ensuring a safe and supportive environment. His dedication to the sport and to the Collective’s values of teamwork and sportsmanship is evident in the success and enthusiasm of the athletes he mentors.

When he’s not on the water or coaching, Joe is a vocal advocate for the growth of competitive water skiing in the region, working tirelessly to build awareness and support for the sport. With Joe at the helm of Three Event/Competition Skiing, the New England Water Ski Collective is well-positioned to nurture the next generation of talented skiers.

Thomas Harvanek joins the New England Water Ski Collective’s leadership team for the 2025 season as our Lead Safety Director. With a lifelong connection to watersports that began in 1973 at age six, Tom has deep-rooted experience on the water. Mentored by an earlier generation of local watersports enthusiasts, he developed a sharp eye for safety by witnessing and responding to various incidents on public waterways over the years.

Tom’s background in emergency response further strengthens his qualifications for this role. From 2001 to 2011, he served with the Quinebaug Fire/Rescue, where he earned multiple certifications from the Connecticut State Fire Academy, including Firefighter I and II, Fire Instructor I, and specialized training in rescue operations on land, water, and ice which helped him rise to the rank of lieutenant. Additionally, from 1990 to 2018, Tom was an active member of the industrial emergency response team at Allegro Microsystems, where he eventually became an assistant ERT trainer. His work as a semiconductor process engineer and later as a microelectronics failure analysis engineer added to his expertise in risk assessment and safety protocols.

Tom brings a strong focus on instruction, pre-planning, and a culture of safety to our team’s water operations.

Outside of water skiing, Tom is passionate about mountain biking, cycling, hiking, snow skiing, boat restoration, and improving things in general.