Santana 525 “Casual”, newest donation to the Challenged America program

Volunteer Steve Edenson and blind sailor Hiro taking Casual, our newest donation out for a first spin on San Diego’s Big Bay.

“Casual” is a Santana 525,  designed by Shad Turner and built by the W.D. Schock Corporation to the highest standards of quality. it is a beautiful boat with sleek lines and well balanced dimensions unique in a 25 footer.

Excellent Handicap Performance

The 525 was designed for competitive racing under a variety of measurement rules. The hull is shallow and of light displacement but has a considerable amount of beam to insure stability. The displacement to length ratio of the 525 is very low, providing excellent light air performance. The keel is a deep fin and the rudder is a simple but highly efficient spade. The hull is quick to surf and is lots of fun to sail in a breeze. Since the 525 is also built to strict one design specifications, its owners find great pleasure in level class racing as well.

Spacious Cockpit

The cockpit of the Santana 525 is probably the best available in a boat of this size. long bench seats and a contoured deck shape offer welcome comfort and a wonderful sense of security for the family. The hardware is strategically placed for efficient crew work, with all halyards lead to the cabintop. The blister design of the deck eliminates sharp corners and provides extra wide side decks for safe and easy deck maneuvers.

Comfortable Interior

The beam of the 525 offers an amazing feeling of spaciousness below. Two wide midship bunks provide extremely comfortable seating in the main cabin and are wonderful for overnight cruising. A 6½ foot v-berth provides additional sleeping accommodations. The cleverly capsulized galley unit is equipped with a sink for an insulated ice box and provides good countertop space. Two beautifully finished hanging lockers, an attractive interior liner, and a handsome teak and holly sole give the 525 the look and feel of a much larger boat. Many a crew has spent hours after the race in the comfort of this cozy interior.

The crew said:  She is fast and fun, we love her.

Day 2: Challenged America and the 2011 Veterans National Summer Sports Clinic Team Apollo vs Team Olympus

You only have to look at the smiles to understand why we volunteer

Day 1: Challenged America and the 2011 Veterans National Summer Sports Clinic Team Poseidon vs Team Mercury

The NVSSC is back in San Diego for the fourth time.  Today, at the Challenged America sailing venue, Team Poseidon and Team Mercury took to the water sailing on Stars and Stripes USA11 and the Martin 16s of Challenged America

Recently injured veterans heal at Summer Sports Clinic

San Diego’s Challenged America therapeutic sailing program has a long history of healing veterans, both recently injured from combat and those acquiring a disability from other causes. And at this year’s 4th National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, September 18 to 23, from San Diego’s Marriott Marquis Hotel & Marina, 130 recently injured veterans will experience the healing powers of the ocean as they sail with Challenged America in San Diego’s Big Bay.

The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) newest national program, the Summer Sports Clinic (SSC) promotes rehabilitation of body and spirit by teaching summer sporting activities to veterans with significant physical or psychological impairments. The Clinic offers such sports as sailing, surfing, kayaking, track and field and cycling to these veterans who are newly injured from amputation, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), blindness, spinal cord injuries or disease, and other neurological disorders, all benefiting from the therapeutic environment offered at the Clinic.

"When we first proposed a Summer Sports Clinic to the VA in 1996, those involved with VA sports therapy excitedly endorsed it. But I knew we then needed to convince those in Washington, DC, that it was a valuable asset, and complimented the already successful Winter Sports Clinic held each year in Colorado," says Urban Miyares, blinded Vietnam veteran and co-founder of the Challenged America program. "It took years before Washington, DC, agreed. After all, Challenged America has been providing successful water-sports activities for therapeutic purposes to severely and catastrophically disabled veterans for more than 30 years , and today's VA Summer Sports Clinic is but an extension of an already successful San Diego-based charitable program matching the VA's goals."

The week-long event, based from the Marriott Marquis, will attract more than 400 people, to include 130 recently injured veterans, their families, personnel and officials from the VA,, political figures and others from local and federal agencies, celebrities, sponsors, and volunteers, most coming from around the nation. All with be participating in or watching the many sporting venues, such as sailing on San Diego's Big Bay in Challenged America's fleet of two-person, 16-foot (adaptive) sailboats, and aboard Sail USA-11's America's Cup yacht; kayaking on Mission Bay; surfing at La Jolla Shores; cycling and rock climbing (wall) on Coronado; and experience track and field at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista.

"It's going to be a busy week of introducing these veterans and their loved ones to sporting activities they should be able to participate in, when they return home. After all, sports is a tremendous rehabilitative activity that has proven to be key to heal one's body and mind. Challenged America was started in 1978 by disabled veterans as a self-directed therapeutic program. And today, most of Challenged America's participants and volunteers are veterans, many having combat-experience and disabilities. The VA's Summer Sports Clinic and Challenged America is a prime example of 'veterans helping and healing with fellow veterans'," says Miyares.

Founded in 1978 by San Diego disabled veterans, Challenged America is a year-round, therapeutic (adaptive) sailing program for disabled veterans, youth and adults with disabilities, based at Shelter Island, San Diego. Hundreds from around the nation and the world sail with the volunteer-driven, charitable, program.

For additional information, contact

Urban Miyares, Challenged America
2240 Shelter Island Drive, Suite 108
San Diego, CA 92106
phone 619-523-9318
email Port@ChallengedAmerica.org
or visit ChallengedAmerica.org.

A big thank you to the ladies of WORSA for their charity regatta benefiting Challenged America

A big thank you to the ladies of WORSA (Women Offshore Racing Sailing Association) and all the participants for a fun event. The charity event took place in Dana Point for the fourth time.

The sun was up, no coastal layer, light winds, everybody had a great time.  Thank you West Marine for the raffle prizes and the ladies of WORSA who spent countless hours helping in the making of a beautiful nautical themed quilt

The quilt went to a 8 year old young lady, oldest survivor  of a rare kidney disease who just received a kidney transplant.

A big thank you to West Marine

A big thank you to  West Marine,  in June West Marine dedicated a community day to Challenged America.  A percentage of each sales made that day in the Pint Loma store benefited Challenged America.

Last week, Louis Holmes, manager of the Point Loma West Marine Store and his team, presented Challenged America with a $2700 check.

We also thank all of you who shopped the Point Loma West Marine store and made the donation possible.

July 6 to 8, Challenged America welcomed blind children from the San Diego Braille Institute

It was a fantastic week for our volunteers, Challenged America welcomed blind children from the San Diego Braille Institute. the children learned to sail our specially designed Martin 16s under the supervision of our companion sailors. Great and sharp kids who had such a positive attitude and dreams of changing the world, really inspiring. Looking at their smiles when they sailed back to the docks, they enjoyed their time on the water. Who knows, we might see some of them in our racing or offshore program one of these days.