Stop in and meet Challenged America volunteers and participants at the San Diego Sunroad Boat Show this weekend
Meet Challenged America at the San Diego Sunroad Boat Show
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Tag Archives: non profit
New Testimonial: Karen S.
I came to sail for the first time ever today! What an incredible experience! The feeling of controlling that sailboat was amazing! I feel like it was some type of peaceful work; the entire experience was peaceful and enjoyable, but I also learned that sailing takes a lot of work and concentration. I like that! I had never really thought about which way the wind is blowing: whether it was on my nose, on my right ear, or over my shoulder. Learning to analyze this, I was able to maneuver the sailboat without continuous “hints” from my “teacher,” John.
John was one of the most gifted teachers I’ve ever met! He started by explaining and describing every part of the Martin 16, and then as we moved away from the dock, the descriptions became more vivid. Although I am totally blind, I felt like I was seeing the seals sun bathing on top of the buoys, the birds surrounding a small fishing boat, waiting for something to eat, or the various types of “traffic” that passed us throughout our short voyage. I learned how to tack, how to move the boat so that it hit the small waves at a 45-degree angle rather than sideways, and how to pull the sail in when it begins to flap in the wind. John never stopped teaching during those two hours of sailing, and I could have learned from him all day!
From the moment I arrived, I felt very welcome, and enjoyed meeting so many people, who definitely have a passion for sailing. Thank you for allowing me to participate in this sailing experience and for providing such a gifted volunteer to assist me. Thank you for keeping this program going, and now that I know what life-changing experiences occur there, I will definitely recommend that my friends and clients come and join the fun and learn how to sail. I will also spread your mission and goals around in order to find people who will donate to this wonderful organization, so it can continue to thrive. I am eager to return and sail again–hopefully with John! Again, thanks just aren’t enough!
Karen S., Challenged America Participant
The 2012 Sailing Calendar
As always, planning a sailing calendar at Challenged America tends to be dependent upon funding and other resources, to include what boats we have, and the volunteers available. Under consideration for the 2012 calendar are:
- San Diego to Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas ocean race (March, 2012).
- Martin 16 (Two-Day) Race to Chula Vista Yacht Club/Marina (April 21/22, 2012).
- Monthly or bi-Monthly Martin 16 Race Training and Races.
- Local Big Bay Races in “Casual” – the Santana 25.
- Newport-Ensenada, Border Run, and other offshore/coastal races.
- Multi-day cruise to Catalina.
- Class for sailing instructors: “Martin 16 Certification.”
- Captain (Basics 101) Training on Grand Banks 42 and Donzi, by The Maritime Institute.
- Power Squadron, Offshore Sailing Safety and First Aid Educational Programs.
- Sailing Camps for those with disabilities and/or having: Diabetes; Spinal Cord Injury/Disease, Epilepsy, mobility and communications challenges, Learning Disabilities, Developmental Disabilities, and youth with disabilities.
- Day-On-The-Big-Bay cruises, whale watching and other educational excursions aboard the motor yacht “Challenged America”- a Grand Banks 42.
Is there another special program you’d like to see and can participate in and help? Let us know.
The Challenged Galley Chef
Okay, sailors all know that cooking in a kitchen shoreside is a snap. But take a bucking sailboat in a wind-swept sea, and even boiling water and pouring it is a challenge. So you galley-salts, “how” and “what” do you cook when at sea?
For example: I can remember sailing on the east coast years ago in my youth, and one crusty sailing veteran used only coffee (percolator) pots to cook with, on a two-burner stove. He claimed it was the easiest and safest way to cook as, with his half-dozen coffee pots (one reserved exclusively for brewing coffee, and the other for hot water only), he would strum up the greatest soups and stews, pasta dishes and hearty and warm breakfast one could ever imagine. And there was always a hot pot of water on the stove for instant coffee, tea, hot chocolate or bullion.
Do you have any innovative or galley secrets you could share? Let us know. We’re looking for those unique recipes, cooking utensils, and methods of cooking that can be included in the Challenged America newsletter, and later be put into a book, giving you and your boat’s name credit.