Creating Inclusive Outdoor Experiences

At Aqua Creek, we always say our mission goes far beyond manufacturing pool lifts—it’s about creating opportunities for independence, dignity, and joy. This year, we’ve been fortunate to partner with an incredible organization that embodies this mission in action: Wheelchairs & Walleyes of North Dakota.

Founded by Jeff Goos and his family, Wheelchairs & Walleyes began with a simple but powerful belief: lake recreation should be for everyone. After seeing firsthand how limited public lake access was for people with mobility challenges, Jeff and his wife set out to change that reality. With the help of volunteers, they constructed and donated the most inclusive wheelchair ramp and accessible lift project in North Dakota, giving families an opportunity many had only dreamed of.

One parent who attended their first event shared:

"The gift you gave me and my daughter is something I only believed was possible in my dreams. I had all but given up on my lifelong dream of being able to take my daughter fishing with me. You truly have no idea the impact you have made in my life."

Stories like these are why Wheelchairs & Walleyes continues to grow. What started at Beulah Bay has sparked a movement. Within a week of unveiling their first project, Jeff’s team received requests from across the region—and the momentum hasn’t stopped.

This summer, on June 21, Hazen Bay, North Dakota, held its inaugural Wheelchairs & Walleyes fishing tournament. Nine children with mobility challenges experienced fishing from a boat—some for the very first time. At the heart of this event was an Aqua Creek lift, ensuring every child could safely and confidently get on and off the boats.

The ripple effect was immediate. Spectators at the boat launch were so moved that one family donated their ADA-approved pontoon on the spot. Just a month later, SCHEELS contributed $50,000 toward additional lifts for upcoming projects. As Melissa Neutman, Public Outreach Coordinator at SCHEELS, shared:

“Wheelchairs and Walleyes is a powerful project that brings freedom, joy, and connection to individuals with mobility challenges throughout outdoor adventure. We are proud to support this initiative and help create meaningful moments for those in the Bismarck-Mandan community.”

Wheelchairs & Walleyes has since set its sights on even bigger goals: completing accessible projects at Hazen Bay and Devils Lake, and expanding into Minnesota, Wyoming, Colorado, and South Dakota. Their vision is bold—making North Dakota the most inclusive state in the nation for lake recreation, boating, and fishing.

For us at Aqua Creek, partnering with Wheelchairs & Walleyes has been a privilege. In the words of Jeff Goos himself:

“Not only is Aqua Creek’s customer service far above any other manufacturer we have ever worked with, but their product is simply far superior to everything we have researched. As far as we are concerned, Wheelchairs & Walleyes will never use another chair company. When you have the best, there is no reason to work with anyone else.”

We’re humbled by those words—but even more by the impact we’ve witnessed firsthand. Because at the end of the day, this is why we do what we do: so families can share a boat ride, a fishing trip, or a memory on the water without barriers holding them back.

To learn more about Wheelchairs & Walleyes and support their mission, visit wheelchairsandwalleyes.com.