Challenge
We're friends and fans of the folks at Challenged America, a group that has done a lot for disabled sailors. We received this last night and we're happy to pass on the exciting news.
Challenged America, the San Diego
-based sailing program for kids and adults with disabilities, unveiled its most
recent vessel donation at the start of the first Hot Rum Series race, Nov. 5,
2007) in San Diego. This 1990's race-winning sailboat, a recently restored Kiwi
35 named "Lift Off," was donated by Alan Cohen of Salt Lake City, Utah, and was
sailed by a crew of nine, to include skipper Keith Ericson (volunteer) and
Challenged America cofounder and blinded sailor Urban Miyares.
"What a
fantastic and challenging donation. I'm not sure yet if 'Lift Off' received the
baptism bathing or we, the crew did on this, our first race,," Miyares said.
"this 35 foot winged racing sailboat, having a beam of 14 feet with the wings
down, is like a tennis court at the dock, but on the water it sails like an
oversized 49er . . . all 2,850 pounds of her. We sure got a lesson in the winds
of 8- to 14-knots in the race, and learned quite a bit. Definitely a next
step-up, a real physical and sailing challenge for sailors with disabilities,
mostly those who are ready to test the limits of their disability and sailing
abilities. Not a boat for everyone, disabled or able-bodied." Thanks to Da Woody for the
photo.
Challenged America, founded in 1978 by disabled veterans, was created to
further the life experiences of individuals with disabilities and enhance
rehabilitation through sailing and boating activities. A charitable, 501(c)(3)
program of the all-volunteer Disabled Businesspersons Association, the program
provides learn-to-sail and advanced sailing opportunities for kids and adults
seeking to further their rehabilitation, work activities, and to participate in
the mainstream. Funding for this year-round program comes from charitable gifts,
corporate sponsorship, donations of quality vessels (both sail and power) and
vehicles,and the generous contributions by the general public.
In recent
years the Challenged America program has been forced to reef its sails with a
rising overhead costs to serve the high demand for its services and inability to
find accessible docks in San Diego bay. But with the help of San Diego sponsors,
such as Fiddler's Green restaurant, Koehler Kraft, Sunroad Marina, Bobby and Dan
at Cays Show Dock Sales, and others, the Challenged America program is building
its board and program structure in making ready to hoist the program's sails
again to meet the growing demand of sailors with disabilities.
For
additional information on Challenged America, its donation program (providing.
as a "user" charity, a full market value tax-deduction on most vessels and
vehicles donated), and how you or your company can help as a board member,
supporter, sponsor or contributor, call or e-mail Urban Miyares, Challenged
America, at (619) 594-8806, e-mail Port@ChallengedAmerica.org, or
visit www.ChallengedAmerica.org.
11/06/07