SWYC Sail Fleet Presents… Racing to Hawaii Without Sight, Transpac 2013
Everyone is guessing and speculating about the Challenged America double-handed entry of Urban Miyares and David Hopkins in this year’s legendary, 2,225 nautical mile Transpac Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu. Now you can get the answers, first-hand, from Urban Miyares, co-founder of San Diego’s Challenged America Program.
Southwestern Yacht Club
Monday June 24, 6pm
San Diego XETV Channel 6 segment on Challenged America and Team Challenged America
Planning is underway for the 2nd DASH to Chula Vista – a 2 day regatta hosted by Chula Visa Yacht Club. On Saturday, April 13, our Martin 16s will race 8 miles from Harbor Island to Chula Vista Marina. Then we’ll race back on Sunday.
More details to come, but if you’d like to participate as a sailor, companion or volunteer, please send an email to Doug
Sailing is free, donations are welcome and help us keep the program free. To make a secure, tax deductible donation, click here
Click here to view photo galleries from the 2012 Dash to Chula Vista
After 4 races, Saturday, Ryan Porteous lead the day, followed by Eric Berkey and Steve Muse. For complete results, see the table bellow.
| Position | Boat # | Sailor | Companion | Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 | Race 4 | Total |
| 1 | 5 | Ryan Porteous | Kristy Porteous | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 4 | Eric Berkey | Jon Berkey | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 |
| 3 | 2 | Steve Muse | Jennifer Muse | 2 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 16 |
| 4 | 3 | Colin Smith | Anna Rossitto | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 16 |
| 5 | 7 | Loch Crane | Stan Bolle | 5 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
| 6 | 6 | Tammy Airhart | Marshall Lubin | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 19 |
If you own a Martin 16 and would like to participate, you are more than welcome, please contact Doug at our office to let us know.
If you are interested but do not own a Martin 16, feel free to call Doug and ask him if we have a boat and a companion available. If you already have a qualified companion, bring him or her along.
Racing is free, donations are greatly appreciated and help us keep our program free, to donate. To make a secure, tax deductible donation, click here:
Friday was the last day of the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic NVSSC and it was teams Phoenix and Titans turn to take to the water with Challenged America volunteers in the sailing event
Yesterday, disabled veterans from teams Vulcan and Neptune experienced sailing and racing with Challenged America at the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic (NVSSC)
The National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic Program (NVSSC) gives Veterans with disabilities an opportunity for self development and challenge through education and recreational activities. It promotes rehabilitation by teaching summer sporting activities to Veterans with significant physical or psychological impairments.
Second day of the NVSSC, disabled veterans from teams Olympus and Poseidon at the sailing venue
The National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic (NVSSC), taking place in San Diego September 18-21, promotes rehabilitation of body and spirit by teaching summer sporting activities to Veterans with significant physical or psychological impairments. Veterans had the opportunity to sail the San Diego Bay and enjoy a friendly race against one another.
For the 5th year, Challenged America will host the sailing event. Over 100 Challenged America volunteers will spend a week helping and coaching disabled veterans on the water and on the docks. Challenged America’s Martin 16 boats and equipment are designed and built specifically to allow individuals with all levels of disability drive and handle the boat by themselves under the supervision of a specially trained companion sailor.
Challenged America welcomed blind and visually impaired children from the Bay Park Elementary School for a day of sailing last week
From the children:
I loved sailing with you. I liked it when I turned the wheel and pulled the ropes for the sails. i enjoyed sailing with you.
Love, Abby
I really liked sailing with you. It was really fun. Being towed around was fun too. I can’t wait until I can go sailing again. Thank you for everything.
Sincerely, Sean
Going sailing was a lot of fun. You gave me lots of information about how much a sailboat costs, and what happens during a race, and how fast it goes. I hope I can go sailing again, when my dad comes home.
Sincerely, Danielle
Thank you for going sailing with me. I loved going fast on the boat. It’s cool that someone who can’t see could go sailing. I loved when we were telling stories about when I went on a boat last year. I liked being called Captain Joy. It was fun going sailing.
Your Friend,Joy
I want to say thank you for taking me sailing. It was fun being able to sail the boat. I loved being in the water and seeing the different parts of the boat. The best part was me steering the boat by myself. Thank you again. I had a great time.
Sincerely, Darren
From all of us at Challenged America, we are glad you had fun, come back to sail with us soon, and, thank you, that’s why we volunteer
“I started sailing with Challenged America in November 2011. It was my first time back on the water since my injury on January 27, 2011. When I saw the Martin 16’s and how they are set up, I was excited to know that I would be an active participant rather than a passenger ‘along for the ride’.
“The phrase ‘leave your disabilities at the dock’ could not be more true! When I’m on the water, at the helm of a sailboat, and enjoying all the sights and sounds of San
Diego Bay, I forget about the wheelchair sitting on the dock. I’m always looking forward to my next sail.
“To the generous volunteers and donors who make this all happen, I can’t thank you enough!”
Eric Berkey, Challenged America Participant
On behalf of all the Challenged America volunteers, thank you Eric, that’s why we volunteer