Bay SailAble

SMSC is gearing up to launch Bay SailAble, a pilot program on the Bay this season. With a focus on creating a welcoming and supportive opportunity for anyone with a mental, physical or cognitive challenge to experience the freedom, exhilaration and joy of sailing, Bay SailAble is all about access and opportunity, values that resonate strongly with the essence of SMSC.

Individuals who are currently unable to consider sailing as a recreational or competitive opportunity will benefit the most from this program. However, we also anticipate that family and friends of participating individuals will benefit indirectly as they see their loved ones enjoying the experience.

Club members who train and serve as program volunteers will reap the benefit of their training and exposure to the program, and the opportunity to forge relationships with all who participate in the Pilot. We hope you’ll consider a role and join our Bay SailAble crew.

Program Details

Bay SailAble participants and their companion sailors will be using a Martin 16 keelboat purpose-built for SailAble programs. Our new-to-us boat is currently being readied for the season at East River Shipyard Ltd, an important program partner. We’ll soon be installing the specialized equipment and dock modifications we need for our pilot program, thanks to the funding support of Sport Nova Scotia and Sail Canada. Now, we need some help from Club members to fill out our volunteer crew and help spread the word to those who may want to be a Bay SailAble sailor.

Our goal is to be up and running by mid to late June, offering sailings on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons/evenings.

Volunteer Roles

There are opportunities to play a role on and off the water, from being a ‘companion’ sailor in our specially-equipped keelboat, to serving as safety crew on the water, ideally with your own small boat.

For those who’d prefer to stay on shore, there’s lots to be done on land too.  You might want to operate the specially designed lift we’ll be installing on the T-Dock to assist our Sail Able participants safely in and out of the boat. If boat maintenance is more to your liking, you can help ensure our program keelboat is always in good working order.

Or you can help with weekly scheduling and follow-up, to connect sailors and volunteers with the sailing times we’ll be offering throughout the summer season.