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Sailing
Wind is the first essential for sailors
but technology can supplement Mother Nature in a big way with adapted
sailboats and special equipment. For instance, a trimaran named
the Challenger was designed to go with a minimum of body
movement. The newly developed Slatts-22 from Hydro-Flight of Seattle
provides hydrofoil-assisted sailing that doesn't require the helmsman
or passenger to change positions during tacking and rudder pedals
are easily modified with hand controls.
The Freedom Independence is another good choice for adapted
sailing. Organizations, such as Shake-A-Leg in Newport, R.I.,
support integrated sailing, involving both disabled and non-disabled
sailors. They'd be happy to add you to their crew! The popularity
of sailing years ago led enthusiasts to organize an annual national
and international regatta each year.
Sailing classes show you the ropes—and other equipment, while
you make new friends. See the resources below.
Access to Recreation
http://www.accesstr.com
Tons of adaptive sports equipment.
Blind Sailing International
http://www.blindsailing.org
Membership in BSI can consist of a team or teams representing blind
sailors of that country or state. Affiliation or association with
the national sailing authority is encouraged.
Disabled Sports USA
http://www.dsusa.org/index.html
Disabled Sports USA offers nation-wide network of community-based
chapters, offering a variety of recreation programs. Each chapter
sets its own agenda and activities. These may include one or more
of the following: snow skiing; water sports (such as water skiing,
sailing, kayaking, and rafting); cycling; climbing; horseback riding;
golf; and social activities.
Disabled Sailing Network
http://www.sailing.org/disabled
Information related to sailing, including regattas, boats, manuals
and links to other disabled sailing organizations
The Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario
http://www.disabledsailing.on.ca
Learn to sale, go out on sailing events, meet other sailors
New England Competitive Sailing
Center
http://www.necsc.org
Dedicated to Coaching Disabled Sailors
Ontario's Able Sail Programs
http://ontariosailing.ca/Programs/Accessible_Sailing/index.php
Excellent sports resources in Ontario, Canada for PWD's and PW/blindness
Sailing Clubs
http://www.footeprint.com/sailingweb/clubs.htm
Lists 100's of accessible sailing programs. There's one there for
you.
San Francisco Bay Area Association of
Disabled Sailors
http://baads.org
BAADS is a group of well over 100 people from all around
the Bay Area. First and foremost, we are people who love sailing.
About half have disabilities. All levels of sailing ability and
experience are represented, from raw beginners to veteran racers
and world cruisers. About one-quarter are ABA certified skippers,
many of whom are disabled and take charge with assistance, as requested
from able-bodied crew members.
Shake-a-Leg Adapted Sailing
http://www.shakealeg.org/Default.htm
Adapted sailing and other recreational activities since 1982; special
events, day trips and trainings
Special thanks to Jeffrey A. Jones and Michael
C. Paciorek for technical information, and resources excerpted from
their book, "Sports and Recreation for the Disabled."
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