Tag Archives: volunteer

Challenged America Volunteer Sails to Tahiti (Part 2/4)

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Roughing it: San Diego to Tahiti by Marshall Lubin

Challenged America volunteer sails to Tahiti, French Polynesia. Challenged America volunteer Marshall Lubin takes a break to sail to French Polynesia, a six week journey taking him from San Diego to Tahiti.

Voyaging thousands of nautical miles on a Beneteau 50, Marshall visits the Marquesas and the Tuamotu Archipelagos and the Society Islands.  The names alone bring out dream images of turquoise water, lush islands and magical lagoons with names like Tahiti, Moorea, Rangiroa, Bora Bora.

Chapter 2: Trouble in Paradise

Then there was our passenger. The woman who refused to watch a video on sailing and be a part of the crew decided she would rather sit and watch. She had a fight with her boyfriend and not getting sufficient satisfaction from berating him started in on me. I was sleeping in my cabin, door ajar, and was summoned to the saloon. I refused, stating, “I’m busy, sorry, can’t come out!” Difficult to support that statement when she could look in the cabin and see I was lying in my bunk. So…I complied, even though I didn’t want to be part of a festering problem, didn’t want to get involved in their argument. I could foresee disaster resulting from this coming encounter. Continue reading →

Challenged America Volunteer Sails to Tahiti (Part1/4)

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Roughing it: San Diego to Tahiti by Marshall Lubin

Challenged America volunteer sails to Tahiti, French Polynesia. Challenged America volunteer Marshall Lubin takes a break to sail to French Polynesia, a six week journey taking him from San Diego to Tahiti.

Voyaging thousands of nautical miles on a Beneteau 50, Marshall visits the Marquesas and the Tuamotu Archipelagos and the Society Islands.  The names alone bring out dream images of turquoise water, lush islands and magical lagoons with names like Tahiti, Moorea, Rangiroa, Bora Bora.

Chapter 1: Sailing to the Marquesas

Early Saturday morning as I parsed my emails, I noticed a sailing invitation from an Aussie that was leaving San Diego on his fifty foot sloop. Short of crew, he needed another body, especially one with blue water experience. Contacting Bronte, the owner of the sloop, we met and discussed the impending voyage. Deciding that this was an invitation not to be capriciously dismissed, I scraped off the sclerosing barnacles from my crusty backside and geared up for a puddle jump to French Polynesia.

Continue reading →

2012 ‘Dash” to Chula Vista: Day 2

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A cool and overcast day with light wind awaited competitors and their companion sailors for the leg back to Harbor Island.

That was not enough to temper the enthusiasm and the second part of the “Dash” to Chula Vista was another success, prompting the Chula Vista Yacht Club race committee to announce that 2012 was officially the first annual “Dash”

Another big thank you to the Chula Vista Yacht Club, the California Yacht Marina and all the volunteers who made the event possible.

And let’s not forget the Venetian Point Loma who supplied delicious pizzas for the after race party

Results coming shortly

Challenged America Sailing Questions and Answers

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Q. How do I schedule sailing?
A. Just call or email the Challenged America office – at least 4 days prior to your day of request to sail, along with information on your type of disability, so we can meet any special needs/accommodations and schedule a volunteer companion sailor.

Q. How much does sailing cost?
A. It’s free, but we do accept and welcome donations.

Q. What is Open Sailing?
A. Open Sailing days are our primary days for small boat sailing, and adaptive sail training for potential and existing sailing companions and instructors.

Q. Can I only sail on Open Sailing Days?
A. No, you can sail on ANY day you request, provided a qualified companion sailor is available, and the sailing office is open.

Q. Can I learn to sail at Challenged America if I don’t have a disability?
A. Yes, but there is a cost . . . You must be willing to volunteer.