Challenged Sailors will be sailing out for their 10th annual Charity Bay Race hosted by Point Loma Yacht Club on Oct. 13.
Kicking off at noon on Harbor Island, Challenged Sailors will be taking out individuals with disabilities on their Martin 16 sailboats to share their love of sailing with those who require extra assistance out at sea.
“They get a sense of freedom,” said Peter Phillips, president of the Challenged Sailors. “We have heard many times that when they’re sailing, they’re not disabled.”
Whether physical or cognitive, Challenged Sailors welcomes individuals ages 8-plus with any type of disability to set sail with one of their trained volunteers. Each sailboat will have a volunteer assigned to and ready to assist an adaptive sailor based on their specific needs.
The sailboats will be equipped with unique adaptations, referred to as power assist units. For disabled individuals who need the accommodation, there will be a joystick operating system available to use that can both trim the sails and steer the boat.
For those who desire complex involvement in the sailing process, but have less physical capability, they can use a sip-and-puff that allows them the same responsibilities as the joystick, controlled by a simple breathing movement in and out of air tubes.
Volunteers undergo an extensive training program, including orientations, hands-on workshops, and numerous practice runs before setting sail with their adaptive sailing companion. When out at sea, the volunteers are actively engaging with the disabled sailors, while also being followed by a chase boat that can be quickly called upon for assistance through a radio system.
“Our volunteers monitor the situation with the adaptive sailor the whole time – keeping an eye out on the surroundings for any boats or hazards to navigation, while also keeping up a dialogue with the adaptive sailor to make sure that they’re doing OK,” said Phillips.
Challenged Sailors has been able to safely maintain this system with a fully volunteer-run staff for the past 10 years. Every Friday and Saturday, they take adaptive sailors out on the water for a sail completely free of cost.
“There’s a great level of intrinsic satisfaction for the volunteers, just knowing the impact you’re having on people’s lives,” said Phillips. “They get to share their love of sailing with somebody who needs that in their lives. And they get to go for a free sail as well, so it’s a win-win.”
The Oct. 13 charity event will raise funds to replace the organization’s current fleet of sailboats, which range from 28-32 years old. Point Loma Yacht Club will be donating 100% of race entry fees to the Challenged Sailors.
Following the regatta taking place out of Harbor Island, there will be a post-race party at Southwestern Yacht Club at 4 p.m. The event will consist of dinner and drinks, live music, a silent auction, and a special presentation from Mitsuhiro “Hiro” Iwamoto – a San Diego resident credited as the first blind sailor to cross the Pacific Ocean.
Attendees have the option to sign up online for the race and fundraiser event, or just the event itself.
Photo courtesy of Peter Phillips
