On the sunny morning of Aug. 20, the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club welcomed a joyful group of eager new sailors for their first taste of the sea.
In partnership with Able Sail Victoria – a charity providing accessible sailing opportunities for children and adults with disabilities – the club opened its boats to clients of the Garth Homer Society for a crash course in sailing.
Sailing school manager Brooke Jangula and her team took a total of 12 participants out on their Sonar, a 23-foot keelboat.
“A lot of the clients we’ve had today have never been on the water before, so it was a completely new experience for them, which is super awesome, and we were glad to have them.”
While sailing may seem inaccessible at first, Jangula explained that the sport is surprisingly inclusive.
“Sailing is a sport that everyone can participate in,” she said. “You don’t need to be tall or super fast, anyone can learn how to sail.”
After adapting their boat to each sailor’s specific needs and abilities, Jangula said the experience was gratifying both professionally and personally.
“It’s super important for us to learn how to coach people with different needs and we love partnering with the community and making good connections,” she said.
Marking the first partnership between the club, Able Sailing Victoria, and the Garth Homer Society, Jangula hopes the initiative will continue for years to come.
“Everyone was so excited,” she said. “All the participants came and they were jumping up and down, and they were just (eager) to get out on the water.”
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