Kids Can Learn to Sail

Since the 1980s, the Ontario Sailing Association’s BOOM mobile sailing school has introduced over 10,000 people – primarily youth – to the sport of sailing. Access BOOM, for youth with disabilities, has been offered since 1999 and was the 2001 recipient of the Canadian Yachting Association Recreation Event of the Year award.

During the sailing lessons, specially designed Access Dinghies are used, adapted to meet the needs of sailors with physical or intellectual disabilities. These vessels have a weighted centerboard/keel to prevent capsizing. They feature a comfortable forward-facing seat, joystick steering and roller furling sail. The Access Dinghies are designed to provide a fun and safe opportunity for young people with disabilities to learn how to sail.

The Access BOOM mobile will be visiting four Ontario communities in the months of July and August, including Haliburton, Chatham and Toronto (the fourth is still to be confirmed.) None of these sites have hosted the program before, which means many new young people will have an introduction to the sport of sailing.

Learn to Sail evening classes for adults with disabilities may also be offered by the Ontario Sailing Association this summer.

To find out when Access BOOM will be in your community, call Megan Will, Program Director, at the Ontario Sailing Association, 1-888-672-7245, ext. 226, or e-mail: ucansail@sailon.org.