How to Locate a Sailing Club for Special Needs Teens

There are competitions for the disabled in almost every sport. Sailing is no exception. The International Foundation for Disabled Sailing has developed specialized craft that special needs teens can sail for fun or use to join races despite handicaps such as blindness, cerebral palsy or autism. If you live near a large body of water, chances are you can locate a sailing club for special needs teens.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Contact your local yacht club. Often, such clubs provide disabled services. If they don't, they may be able to direct you to one that does.
2. Call your parks and recreation service, or whatever entity controls boating and water sports if there is no yacht club, and ask about facilities for disabled sailing. You may have to travel some distance to locate a club for special needs teens.
3. Check the internet for a list from the International Foundation for Disabled Sailing to locate a club in your state (see Resources below).
4. Find out what kind of special needs they can accommodate and what equipment they have. Names to look for include the Martin 16 and the Access Dinghy.
5. Establish how many professional and volunteer aides they have and how they ensure the safety of disabled sailing (safety belts, ergonomic seats, ease of operation). Watch the video of the Shake-a-Leg Water Sports Club to see an excellent example of handicapped sailing facilities (see Resources below).
6. Ask about disability requirements. Often sailing clubs that accommodate special needs teens divide teams and instruction by the extent of the handicap. For example, blind sailing differentiates three levels of vision. A document from an ophthalmologist is required before you can be placed.
7. Get a schedule of classes and competition dates. Discuss with your teen whether he would like to sail just for fun or enter a race.

Tips & Warnings

• Probably the most popular craft for special needs sailing is the Martin 16--a long narrow boat that is easily driven. The joystick can be controlled with the hand or foot, chin movement or with breathing.
• Sailing clubs are not cheap. You may be able to supplement your payments with assistance from a charity or a club "scholarship," but don't sign up until you are sure you can pay.