Saturday, December 19, 2015

Help disabled military and veterans learn sailing!

J/22s sailing with Warrior Sailing disabled veterans in Newport- SailNewport.com(Larchmont, NY)-  A fantastic gift from the heart! The Warrior Sailing Program is focused on introducing active military and veterans with disabilities to sailing, learning to sail and basic sailboat racing. The program is for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces from across the U.S.A. and available to all persons within the targeted audience- regardless of age, gender and race.

The Warrior Sailing Program Basic Training Camp highlights the skills needed to manage a boat on the water as well as societal skills, which may translate to personal and job skill development. The program is open to wounded, ill or injured service members of the Armed Forces; active duty or retired.

Ben Poucher- sailing director at Warrior SailingAccording to Ben Poucher, Sailing Director for Warrior Sailing, “we’ve had a good discussion with our Team (who is made up of graduates from our basic and advanced camps that are competing in regattas throughout the US) and we were discussing our tentative schedule for 2016.

One of the items we are discussing is figuring out what classes and where we are going to have a presence. Our thoughts right now are to sail mainly in J/22 class events around the country, as well as other boats like the Sonar.  We have developed and built adaptive equipment for the J/22 class.

For you J/22 sailors and owners, if you have a boat that we can borrow for even one regatta, please be sure to contact me- Ben Poucher- benpoucher@gmail.com or ph# 269-598-7119!”   Learn more about Warrior Sailing here.

Warrior Sailing program- using J/22s for disabled veterans & military active dutyWarrior Sailing has worked in partnership with the Vessel Outreach Foundation; they support non-profit organizations that provide leadership training, vocational development and support marine research through the use vessels and other waterfront assets donated to the VOF.

From the national champion Warrior Sailing program to the internationally recognized Florida Biodiversity Institute the Vessel Outreach Foundation provides our Strategic Partners with the vessels and expertise necessary to achieve their highest aspirations.

Ralf Steitz- director at Warrior SailingAccording to Ralf Steitz, President of the VOF, “the resources of VOF have allowed Warrior Sailing to quickly expand nationally. Warrior Sailing now offers Open Regattas for veterans who want to learn how to sail, as well as advanced racing clinics.

The expertise of the personnel at VOF led to recent successes at the recent Para-Olympic Nationals, as well as an adaptive sports grant from Veteran’s Affairs Administration.  Any and all help is appreciated. Plus, if you have a boat to donate that could help the disabled veterans and military, please let us know!”  Learn more about Vessel Outreach Foundation here