SEASONAL ACTIVITIES > SUMMER PROGRAMS > Sailing

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports in collaboration with the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center run an Adaptive Watersports Program (AWP) on Lake Champlain. Based out of the beautiful waterfront of Burlington Vermont, this program offers a wide variety of sailing, canoeing and kayaking opportunities.

(See Canoeing and Kayaking section of the website for more information on those programs.) Participation in a sport like sailing builds confidence and self esteem, while it challenges the whole person. The AWP’s mission is to provide watersports opportunities for everyone, regardless of disability, age, ability to pay and at all levels from supervised recreational sailing to independent racing competition.

GROUP RECREATIONAL SAILING
Where: Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center, Burlington, VT
When: 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. seven days a week, June – Sept, 2011; Advanced Reservations Required.
Cost: $125/boat for 3hr. session. Group sails are three hours long.
Students will be encouraged to take the helm, trim the sails and learn about sailing on the Adaptive Sonar. This Sonar has been adapted so that the skipper sits facing forward without the need to switch sides as the boat turns. Encircling this gimbaled seat is a horizontal steering wheel. It is a very clever concept designed by Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center Founding Director and architect, Marcel Beaudin. The Sonar sails with up to 6 people and has a heavy keel under the bottom, which makes for excellent stability.

PRIVATE & COMPETITIVE SAILING LESSONS
Where: Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center, Burlington, VT
When: Times vary, June - August, 2011
Advanced Reservations Required; call for pricing.
The goal of these lessons is to enable the students with disabilities to sail independently. The Martin 16, a single or double-handed keelboat (again, will not flip over) was designed to level the playing field for people with physical disabilities to race in open fleets without a time or distance handicap. It is a 16' sailboat that gives independence to people.

PRIVATE RENTAL RATES
Sonar • Martin 16 • - Call for rates

For more information on reservations and directions please call the Program Coordinator, Dave D'Angelo at 802.353.3178

Cancellation Policy: Please call to cancel with more than 24 hours notice! If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice you will be charged for 50% of your program fee. No call-no shows will be charged for full program fee.

............................................................................................................................................................................................

HELPFUL HINTS
• The Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center is located on the north end of the Burlington waterfront, just off the Bike Path and around the corner from the Coast Guard Building.
• Please make sure you bring a change of clothes, a windbreaker jacket or sweatshirt - temps out on the lake can be much chillier than on the shore.
• Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, bathing suit, water and snacks and anything else you might wish to have with you.

............................................................................................................................................................................................

RELATED LINKS
• Free Sailing, Disabled Sailing with Challenged America
Free Sailing, Disabled sailing and adaptive sailing programs for people with disabilities, disabled veterans, the handicapped, disabled children, sports and recreational therapists and rehabilitation professionals.