RCCHP Supports Disabled Sailing Association Alberta

We had a nice ad-hoc Club outing this weekend.  A number of members and wives had the opportunity to hear about the Disabled Sailing Association of Alberta, and got to experience a short sail.  A few new skippers in the making.

 

DSAA has existed at South Glenmore Park since the mid 1990’s and they also execute Outreach Programs to sites at Chestermere, Sylvan and Wabamun Lakes from time to time.  The mission of the DSAA is to relieve conditions associated with disability by providing specially adapted boats, sailing programs, and facilities to beings with various disabilities.  In addition to supporting individual sailors, the staff and volunteers have a very active summer program supporting 22 community groups coming from hospitals, kid’s cancer camps, brain injured support groups, MS support groups, MD support groups, etc.

 

RCCHP has made two generous donations over the past couple of years – helping to maintain boats and facilities, fund sailing for people without financial means, and to provide staff and volunteers with t-shirts which identify both DSAA and RCCHP – which allow the staff and volunteers to be easily recognized by clients and the public.

 

There is an annual regatta using the Martin 16 class of boats.  It moves around the country from year to year.  This year the regatta is at Cape Breton and the Title Sponsor is the Rotary Club of North Sydney.  Calgary hosted in the late 90’s and 2005 at Glenmore and 2014 at Lower Kananaskis Lake.  Each regatta involves approximately 50 sailors from across the country with some international presence, and another 50 aides and volunteers.