Wautoma Beach women ride again

They've taken on the challenge of riding jet skis around Lake Ontario for two years in a row just for fun. This year, Gwen Comstra and Susie Cotsworth will be riding around Lake Erie for a cause.

"We'd always planned on doing a different lake every year," Cotsworth said. "But we had two different neighbors ride with us each of the first two years and they wanted to do Lake Ontario so we did. This year, it's just Gwen and I and we're going to Lake Erie."

This year, the ride is also more personal for Comstra as she and Cotsworth will be riding to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Comstra's father, Roy Comstra, who passed away in mid-July.

"The ride this year is called 'Riding for the Memories' in honor of my father," Comstra said.

Comstra's father had been a long time resident of the Rochester area and was a Kodak retiree. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's eight years ago.

"After watching the devastating effects of this disease, I understand the pain of watching a loved one struggle with the deterioration of their mind until they slip into a world beyond ours," Comstra said. "Our family received amazing support from the Alzheimer's Association. Their support has been invaluable."

It was for that reason that the women made the decision to dedicate their 750 mile jet-ski trip around Lake Erie to the Alzheimer's Association as a way to raise awareness and support for the programs it offers.

The jet-skiing pair are leaving July 24 for the trip which they expect will take 10 days.

Both Comstra and Cotsworth say they are ready for the adventure a new lake will bring. "We made a lot of friends around Lake Ontario and I'm sure we'll make more as we go around Lake Erie," Cotsworth said. "This trip will be a further test of our abilities."

They've decided to travel counter clockwise and hit the Canadian part of the lake first.

The journey can be tracked on the pair's website at www.wenchfinders.com.

Comstra said that anyone who wants to pledge their support can do so by calling either her at 392-0905, Cotsworth at 392-1860 or the Alzheimer's Association at 585-760-5400. Donation forms are available on line at www.alz-rochesterny.org. Donations will be sorted by zip codes and the money will be distributed to the Alzheimer's Association Chapter near the donor.