Disabled Sailing Association of British Columbia
Encyclopedia
The Disabled Sailing Association of British Columbia (DSA-BC) is a Canadian not-for-profit organization that enables people with disabilities to take part in a sport it promotes as “accessible and inclusive.” It is located in Vancouver, BC, and has affiliated branches in Victoria, Chemainus and Kelowna.
People with high-level disabilities, such as quadriplegia, have complete control of the vessel, with many sailing solo .
Each sailing season, DSA-BC reports that it hosts between 800 and 1,000 sailing experiences at Jericho and more from its affiliated branches. This ranges from leisure sailing to competitive racing.
The organization states sailing “promotes freedom and independence” for people with disabilities through the opportunity to take part in an exciting and challenging outdoor sport.
founded DSA-BC in 1989, using a British-made Sunbird dinghy. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
had originally presented the boat to Rick Hansen
during Expo '86 in Vancouver, celebrating his Man in Motion world tour. Hansen subsequently presented the boat to Sullivan in order that people with disabilities could benefit from it.
During its first summer, people with a range of disabilities logged a total of 22 sails. The major breakthrough for the sport came in 1993 with the addition of (mouth-operated) sip n’ puff
controls, which are connected to a power assist system. This enabled people with little or no arm movement to sail.
In 1995, the successor to the Sunbird was developed by Vancouver yacht designer Don Martin. The Martin 16 can be controlled conventionally, or by joystick, or through the sip n’ puff interface.
However, the Sunbird’s limitations could not be ignored, so Sullivan commissioned a new boat designed specifically for adaptive sailing. When Vancouver’s Don Martin designed the Martin 16 in 1995, he included the requirements of power-assisted controls into his design brief.
The weighted keel makes it a very safe and stable boat, but it is also responsive. The addition of a portable, modular sip n’ puff system in 1998 – which can be dropped into a boat when needed – adds to the versatility of the vessel .
consists of six affiliated societies:
Programs
DSA-BC operates a fleet of eight specially designed Martin 16 sailboats from Jericho Sailing Centre. These are designed to enable people with all levels of disability to enjoy sailing as a recreation activity or competitive high performance endeavor.People with high-level disabilities, such as quadriplegia, have complete control of the vessel, with many sailing solo .
Each sailing season, DSA-BC reports that it hosts between 800 and 1,000 sailing experiences at Jericho and more from its affiliated branches. This ranges from leisure sailing to competitive racing.
The organization states sailing “promotes freedom and independence” for people with disabilities through the opportunity to take part in an exciting and challenging outdoor sport.
History
Quadriplegic Sam SullivanSam Sullivan
Sam Sullivan, CM served as the 38th mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and has been invested as a Member of the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian award...
founded DSA-BC in 1989, using a British-made Sunbird dinghy. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
had originally presented the boat to Rick Hansen
Rick Hansen
Richard M. Hansen, CC, OBC is a Canadian Paralympian and an activist for people with spinal cord injuries. Following a car crash at the age of 15, Hansen sustained a spinal cord injury that paralyzed him from the waist down. Hansen is most famous for his Man In Motion World Tour...
during Expo '86 in Vancouver, celebrating his Man in Motion world tour. Hansen subsequently presented the boat to Sullivan in order that people with disabilities could benefit from it.
During its first summer, people with a range of disabilities logged a total of 22 sails. The major breakthrough for the sport came in 1993 with the addition of (mouth-operated) sip n’ puff
Sip-and-puff
Sip-and-Puff or Sip 'n' Puff ' technology is a method used to send signals to a device using air pressure by "sipping" or "puffing" on a straw, tube or "wand." It is primarily used by people who do not have the use of their hands...
controls, which are connected to a power assist system. This enabled people with little or no arm movement to sail.
In 1995, the successor to the Sunbird was developed by Vancouver yacht designer Don Martin. The Martin 16 can be controlled conventionally, or by joystick, or through the sip n’ puff interface.
Equipment
DSA-BC initially used the Sunbird, to which it added Sip n’ Puff controls in 1993.However, the Sunbird’s limitations could not be ignored, so Sullivan commissioned a new boat designed specifically for adaptive sailing. When Vancouver’s Don Martin designed the Martin 16 in 1995, he included the requirements of power-assisted controls into his design brief.
The weighted keel makes it a very safe and stable boat, but it is also responsive. The addition of a portable, modular sip n’ puff system in 1998 – which can be dropped into a boat when needed – adds to the versatility of the vessel .
Affiliated societies
The Sam Sullivan Disability FoundationSam Sullivan Disability Foundation
The Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation, which is based in Vancouver, Canada, administers six affiliated societies that provide services for people with physical disabilities.- History :...
consists of six affiliated societies:
- BC Mobility Opportunities Society
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