Adaptive Sports: Sailing

Post Date: January 18, 2017
Share This Article

In an effort to expand opportunities for disabled veterans to participate in water sports, Paralyzed Veterans of America offers two-day clinics to introduce members to adaptive sailing.

The clinics begin with classroom instruction on common sailing language, rudimentary sailing techniques and safety. Once the basics have been covered, participants typically have an opportunity to sail a boat themselves.

Past clinics sponsored by Challenged Sailors San Diego and the Cal-Diego chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America offer accessible facilities equipped with a lift for transferring sailors from wheelchairs into the boats. These organizations also provide adaptive equipment — like small electric joysticks or sip-and-puff mouthpieces — to enable steering and trimming of sails.

Due to the high demand and limited number of available boats, participation in Paralyzed Veterans of America sailing clinics is limited to members only.  Find out how you can become a member.

If you or someone you know is part of a disabled sailing program, please contact us about how we can partner with you to offer a clinic in your area. To find out more or to sign up for a Sailing Clinic, contact Ernie Butler at ErnieB@pva.org or (202) 746-8603.