Yacht Competition Racing for the Disabled Takes Off!

Yacht racing, though it may seem like "a breeze" to spectators (to turn a phrase), is really a lot more complicated than it looks. Anyone who's ever been involved in a "backyard regatta" or a world-class yacht race will tell you: This is a sport that requires very savvy technical skills and a strategic mind. Still think anyone can do it? Just ask anyone who's served as a crew member in a yacht-racing adventure catered to the disabled. Here's a guarantee: They'll look at you like you're crazy.

Races are always set along a designated course, and are usually sponsored by a Disabled Sailors association (which can be found in most of our United States and abroad). Usually, men's and women's teams compete separately, and boats can range from Olympic-class dinghies to basic, modern fiberglass-planing dinghies. In fact, this sport has been internationally recognized since 1976, when it was featured in the Montreal Olympics.

As with any sport, volunteers are always needed for upcoming events. For example, the St. Francis Yacht Club will host the upcoming 470 Class North American Races in the San Francisco Bay area in mid- to late August. This race is just one of many taking place all across the United States, solely for disabled racers, and they'll need skippers and deck hands to help get the action going.

Usually, the schedule of events covers completing entry forms, yacht measurement, a festive "opening ceremony," often accompanied with music, light Hor devours and champagne; and on each race day, sailors will enjoy a continental breakfast in the morning and a fun-filled evening of food and drinks following the race.

The Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors (BAADS), like most, allows every participant to solicit foundation or corporate sponsorships, and again, many positions are available, from one of the most important sailing races Association and the United States 470

And, no matter who wins, the closing ceremonies are nothing to sneeze at. You'll be entertained, wined, and dined while enjoying the sounds of a great jazz or blues band, commemorating the event's end. Another plus is that, for this race and many others throughout the country, you can qualify for an Olympic race - if you're the lucky winner, that is.

David Dunlap is the owner and founder of Only For Yachts, an online resource for everything related to yachts. Visit http://onlyforyachts.com to get information on yacht charters, yachts for sale and also sign up for the free yachting newsletter.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Cruising & Sailing Information:

Related Articles

Those Ellusive Crab and Prawn Traps
If you are a boater, in particular a sea or ocean-going boater, you have probably tried your hand at catching prawns and/or crabs with their respective pots. And if you have tried this, then you know how many traps or pots you have lost over the years! But it is so rewarding when the traps come up with our dinner, that we try it again, over and over every year.
The Skipper on a Charter Yacht
The skipper is the heart of every floating vessel on earth. His word is (or should be) law to everybody on board.
Summertime And Boats... And Boat Insurance
Early summertime is the time of year, when boat owners start getting back on the water. I am speaking about pleasure boaters, those who use their boats to make a living fishing are on the water when the fish are under it.
Italy Cruise Expert Guide
History, wine, serene beauty, dramatic people andstunning views - an Italy cruise has it all! You canvisit the main sites of Italy on a European cruiseor a Mediterranean cruise, but to really experienceItaly - to really taste it - you need to immerseyourself in everything that Italy has to offer bytaking an Italy cruise.Italy cruises depart from several ports around thecountry.
How To Save Money On Cruises
1. If you're 55 or older, you can get senior citizen discounts.
Alaska Cruise Expert Guide
The Alaska cruise is a breathtaking adventure thatyou'll never forget. Giant snow-capped mountains,sparkling glaciers, thick pine forests rising up from theshoreline and abundant wildlife vie for your attentionin this dramatic landscape.
Stocking up Your Boat
There, you have just got a boat. A nice new hobby for the weekend and it is time to stock it out.
European Cruise Expert Guide
Europe is one of the premier cruise destinations in the world. Its attraction is overpowering - grand cities, relics of ancient civilizations and breathtaking scenery await European cruise passengers at almost every port of call.
From Ocean Cruises and Ocean Liners to Vacation Cruises and Cruise Ships
The golden age of transatlantic ocean shipping and travel began long after Columbus' trying to prove that the earth was round. After that time, ocean sailing vessels traveled to the new world on a rather infrequent schedule.
The Best European Cruise Travel Vacation!
So, you are contemplating a European cruise. You are looking for the cruise to be a luxury travel vacation.
Six-Star Cruising on Luxury Cruise Lines
A luxury cruise is just what the name implies, a cruise at the upper end of the spectrum, not just five stars but a six-star cruise. There are six cruise lines that are in the luxury class: Crystal Cruise Line, Cunard Cruise Line, Radisson Seven Seas, The Yachts of Seabourn, Silversea Cruise Line, and Windstar Cruises.
Short Cruises - The Perfect Match For First Time Cruisers
Would you like to try a cruise, but aren't sure if you'd really like it? Some people are intimidated about making a seven-day commitment to a cruise vacation. What if they experience motion sickness? What if they feel claustrophobic? For some people, these are very real concerns.
Why a Cruise Vacation is YOUR Dream Holiday
Thinking you could use an escape from the wintertime blahs, maybe even that dream holiday you've been thinking about for years? A Caribbean cruise vacation is the answer! What makes a cruise your dream holiday, you ask? Well, put simply, a cruise combines all the elements of a dream vacation into one blissful trip. There is ALWAYS something to do, no matter your age or interests.
Defeating the Drug Smugglers in Ultra Fast Boats, Skimmer Craft and Hydrofoils
The drug smugglers have ultra fast boats, skimmer craft and hydrofoils, which makes it difficult to give pursuit by conventional marine craft. The problem is getting worse as drug smugglers ratchet up the game stakes using ultra fast water craft, submarines and aircraft.
Sit Back and Relax on a Crewed Yacht Charter Vacation
Ever wanted to really put yourself to the test and teach yourself how to sail and guide a yacht? On a crewed yacht charter voyage, you can do just that - and more - while taking turns at the helm and seeing the sights of your specially planned destination.Unlike other ocean yachts, a crewed charter yacht vacation allows you to be more independent and make more choices about your trip.
Survival At Sea: What You Need To Do, What You Need To Have
Two boys from South Carolina made headlines a few weeks ago. They had spent six days adrift at sea before being rescued .
The Alaska Cruise- A Living Memory
The Alaska cruise is a major attraction drawing vacationers with its majestic scenery, gleaming glaciers, exotic wildlife, and Native American culture. Ships are normally on a seven-day excursion package to Alaska and they stop at four ports on their passage, visiting Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay National Park.
Types of Cruise Ship Cabins
Many cruise ships today have standard cabins of similar size and accoutrements, with the price differential being the location. The least expensive, inside standard cabins on a mainstream cruise ship run from about 120 square feet to 180 square feet.
Dock and Deck Cleaning Business
A great addition to cleaning boats in a marina will be also to take care of any buildings that are on or near the water, and the docks themselves as they can get covered with bird droppings, dirt, spider webs, and anything like that. Wood decks, docks and piers are subject to attack by moss, insects, sun, salt spray, fish guts, water damage, physical wear, foot traffic, rain, snow, morning dew.
5 Steps to Crime Prevention at your Marina
Spending the day or weekend on your boat is one of the pleasures most boaters look forward to all the time. Unfortunately, the marinas where vessels are stored at are just as susceptible to crime as our homes and places of work, if not more so.