We learned about new activities for those with limb loss or other mobility impairment during April’s Limb Loss Awareness Month in April. Dawn Miranda, Dankmeyer Prosthetist Assistant and below knee amputee, signed up for a day of sailing at the Downtown Sailing Center, which offers free sailing for the mobility impaired. Because of a weather day, sailing was postponed to May 15, and now Dawn has a great report on this resource.

Ahoy! Welcome to the Downtown Sailing Center   

I had a wonderful opportunity to learn to sail on May 15. I arrived at the Downtown Sailing Center located at 1425 Key Highway, Suite # 110, Baltimore, Maryland 21230. The sun was beautiful and it was a bit cool to start but you could tell it was going to be a perfect day to learn to sail.

The volunteers were ready to welcome you at 9 am and go over safety precautions as well as how the sailboat you chose works. We were all set up with life jackets, and volunteers checked to make sure they were properly secured. We headed down the docks to begin our adventure. There, as we walked down the dock path there was an old, partially submerged ship. Beautiful bay turtles were sunbathing and looking out for some nice bugs to eat.

You see the entire colorful row of boats just waiting for both new and experienced sailors. I grew excited to find the one I would be spending the day on.  The sailboats are cheerful and bright, mine was a lime green! They offer a variety of boats that will suit any physical difference a sailor may have. There are specialized Hoyer lifts on the docks to assist wheelchair patients on to the keelboats.

They told us how to board the sailboat and then - with instructions - gave me a little push to catch some wind. Once pushed away from the slip we were off into the bay! It really is very simple. I sailed a two person Hansa Access Dinghy. That is a smaller easy to sail boat.  You sit in the bottom area and it fits two people nicely. There are two sails - one large and one smaller - which you can see in the picture. Next is the “joy stick” which is the control for the rudder which is in the back of the boat. The combination of the sails, rudder and the wind put you in the direction you want to go. You have a three-rope setup for the sails that are one to the left “Green” and one to the right that is “Red” and a “Blue” one in the center, which is for the larger main sail. 

The water monitor stays close and guides all of us, to keep us all safe and reassure us if we need some direction on how to let the wind and the sails work together to move us along. The volunteers spend so many hours certifying and learning to share their love of the sea with all of us. I felt honored to learn from such an amazing group of people. As the morning breeze picked up all I could notice is the sun on my face, and how beautifully peaceful it felt. The sky was a beautiful blue and the breeze was low, perfect for the newbie sailor. I saw a variety of large boats in the bay but all were at a safe distance. I even spied a large “Pirate Ship” in the distance that the volunteers said they offer special trips for adults and children. That may have to be my next adventure.  

As our morning went on, the breeze picked up and it made sailing easier and so much fun. Then, I had a special message sent out to me in my sailboat that there was a friend on the dock! I looked over and there waving was Robb Brown. (Robb Brown, CPO, is one of our prosthetists that is at our Sinai Campus office in the Morton Mower Building.) Robb had come out to volunteer.  I could see Robb working hard on the docks to help prepare for us to come in to the slips. Robb then got a surprise himself, as his family came down to watch the sailboats! Robb was able to take his family out for a sail on the bay. Rob has previous sailing experience - so I hope the gets to show us more of his sailing skills soon!

We were able to sail from 10 am to noon. This is a fantastic free program for anyone with physical differences that wants to learn to sail. The Center offers many programs on their website.  You just go on the site and look at the accessible calendar to sign up.

Our time on the water went by so quickly and I cannot wait to sign up and go again. I created memories that day I will never forget. Try it soon! Happy sailing! 

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”

-Jacques Cousteau