July 3, 2024

Have you seen the news? If you don't always check social media, if you're irregular at the docks - you've now got this quarterly newsletter email to get you up to date. Read on for the updates, volunteer celebration, and opportunities to sail for FREE with your premier U.S. adaptive sailing program that hits the water EVERY WEEKEND.

Back in February, Challenged Sailors was honored to be included in a "best of" listing by San Diego Magazine hyping our mission to serve those living with disabilities. But then we got a call from the magazine's senior editor asking if a writer, Mara Altman, and photographer could join us for a regular Friday/Saturday sail " cruising the bay " in support of a full article. Which resulted in the June 2024 edition showcasing Penny Anders, Brewster Schenck, Dale Burchby, Peter Phillips and Leah Gualtieri featured riding close hauled and strong to the wind. The article was given a prestigious placement position in print. The photos by Erica Joan are phenomenal. See the San Diego Magazine feature here.

Around that same time Steve Bridge, our newly minted Board VP, mentioned that veteran sailor Neil Senturia would be spotlighting Challenged Sailors for his weekly Union column. So Neil rides in a Martin16 with adaptive sailor Eric Brand, and is deeply touched by his day under sun and sail. Less than one month after the SD Mag article comes out, here's the Union piece honoring CSSD's mission with a reminder of the benefits from creating bonds through shared experiences of generosity and compassion. Keep all this in mind - Challenged Sailors exists through the support of and engagement with our community. This year, in part due to press publicity, our base of participants, the people receiving and reading this email, has grown over 25%. Yes! In just six months! That's the power of positivity wrapped around our combined sailing, service and support cause. We are in this together! And growing.

If you've been on the docks over the last 10 years, then chances are high you've seen, met or had the pleasure to sail with superstar volunteer Nancy Beckley. Nancy, what's your sailing background? I grew up in MI chigan (editor: not a MI caps typo there, these Wolverines are so clever). We have a waterfront home on Lake Huron. My sister still lives there. So we had access to both motor and sail boats. I am the only one in the family, other than my father, who developed the sailing spirit. Everyone else chose power. But I am not picky, I just love to be on the water! As a child, we had an old wooden sail boat, pointy at both ends, the Leaky Teaky . My first solo attempt at sailing, was probably at the age of eight or nine. We had a Sunfish. My dad set me out on my own to learn. From there on, we had cruisers and a 1949 Chris Craft runabout. Other than the Sunfish, sailing was mostly with friends until I moved to Detroit. There I became a crew member on a 35 C & C out of Windsor, Ontario. We sailed beer can Wednesday and one design PHRF on Saturdays. There were about 18 C & C 35s. I was fortunate enough to participate in three Port Huron to Mackinaw races, one of the longest freshwater races in the world, the other being Chicago to Mackinaw. I have windsurfed all five Great Lakes. Not too many years after that I moved to the high desert town of Taos, New Mexico, which has been home base for the last 32 years. How did you get involved with Challenged Sailors? My husband Brad has TBI and recently diagnosed with CTE. We came to San Diego to seek mental health treatments. New Mexico ranks 50th for mental health. That was in 2011 and I was looking for activities for Brad. We went to the San Diego Boat Show and I saw the Challenged America's booth. Sylvia and Mike Swall were at the booth. Told them Brad's issues and signed him up. When they found that I had sailing experience, I was enlisted as a companion sailor. I have been a volunteer with CSSD since then and through the change from Challenged America to Challenged Sailors in 2014. What is your favorite memory of serving? Abled or disabled, I think it is important to help everyone. We all have issues and needs. It is important to be kind and care for one another. What is my favorite sailing memory? Oh my, there are too many to choose from. You may have to ask Russell Hart, one of our adaptive sailors. The story grows every time it's told...

No experience necessary. We make it safe, easy and 100% free for anyone living with a disability. Physical disability, cognitive, emotional, CP, MS, TBI, PTSD…this is your home. You on a sailboat is just a click away . If you've been gone from our docks for a while then there’s never a better time to come back.

When you sail with CSSD you're going beyond our local waters to access an entire community dedicated to serving EVERYONE who wants to belong. Sue Taetzsch and Dale Burchby and Fritha Matus, our new Director of Volunteers, work every day to get the sailing schedule filled. Get involved with key upcoming Challenged Sailors volunteer events. Fri July 12 - TRACE Group Sail. Sat July 13 - New Volunteer Orientation. Sat July 20 - Limitless Adventures Group Sail. Fri July 26 - New Volunteer Orientation. Sat July 27 - CSSD All Hands. Let us know.

Come sailing. No experience necessary. We make it safe and easy and 100% FREE for anyone living with a disability. Want to volunteer? We’re running new volunteer orientations twice a month. Submit your interest to become a cherished part of making a difference.

This is San Diego and #WeSailEveryWeekend. Our program exists through the generosity of people in our community. Please consider making a donation to help us continuously achieve our mission. Every weekend.