I spend a lot of time thinking about accessibility and sailing. As we prepared to launch our boat for the first time at the Annapolis Yacht Club, I questioned whether our actions supported our broader goals to make sailing more accessible, especially to persons with disabilities and those with limited opportunity. Did our actions align with our tenets or was I simply fulfilling my own selfish desires? Before I knew it, the boat was in position under the hoist, so my thoughts turned to the task at hand.
The boat lifted cleanly enough... but then the bow took a dive as it left the trailer. Yikes! We sheepishly muscled the boat over the water, and as the hoist chain went slack, we collectively exhaled relief.
Despite its beauty and rich history, sailing has a reputation of being an exclusive pastime that seems inaccessible to the common person. Even with the progress our sport has made, the perceptions linger, and I sometimes question whether we are on the right tack to make sailing more inclusive and diverse. When The DSC boat finally rested on her own waterline, I clearly saw how our efforts to compete were opening doors for others in the future.
The Downtown Sailing Center is committed to being an open, inclusive sailing community. We believe The Downtown Sailing Center can help its sailors grow beyond their comfort zone through quality access and high quality education. We believe that sailing can be a vehicle for positive human development. And we believe that sailing can connect people across backgrounds and cultures.
