CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Michael Trovato and Bryony Scudder of Sail Cape Cod talk about the nonprofit’s new adaptive sailing program.
HYANNIS – Getting people of all abilities out on the water and giving them access to sailing is the mission of Sail Cape Cod, the newest community sailing program in the region.
Their latest effort is an adaptive sailing program that will use a lift installed on Hyannis Harbor to help people with disabilities get onto a sailboat that has been specially outfitted for their use.
The reaction that Sail Cape Cod has gotten from people who they have brought out on the water has been overwhelmingly positive, according to the organization’s leaders.
“We’ve had people tell us this was the best day of their lives,” Sail Cape Cod Program Director Bryony Scudder said.
Since it was formed three years ago, Sail Cape Cod has offered programs for adults and children who otherwise would not be able to experience this activity, according to Scudder.
The new adaptive program takes the organization to a new level.
For the adaptive sailing program, a Far East 18 sailboat has been adapted by Sturgis Boat Works. The adaptive program will be run on Saturday mornings to get people with more serious disabilities out on the water.
The town of Barnstable has allowed Sail Cape Cod to install a lift at the Gary Brown Ramp on Hyannis Harbor to help to get people with disabilities onto the sailboat.
Scudder, who also works as a teacher of children with autism for the Barnstable Public School system, said the new adaptive program is now the third program that Sail Cape Cod offers. There is also adult sailing and outreach sailing for people with developmental disabilities.
Cape Abilities, Community Connections, ARC of Cape Cod and the Riverview School are among the organizations that Sail Cape Cod has worked with in taking individuals with developmental disabilities out on the water.
Michael Trovato, who is president of the board of directors of Sail Cape Cod, explained why locals decided that they wanted to get people out on the water who otherwise would not have access to the sport of sailing.
“It was started by a group of avid sailors who saw the need for a community sailing program here on the Mid Cape,” he said. “There are a lot of people in the Mid Cape who aren’t being serviced for sailing. We do a lot of community outreach to special needs groups, working with disabilities programs, and also at risk programs.”
Trovato explained why there is a need for more people to get involved with sailing.
“Sailing is a great sport. It’s very empowering. Once you get out on the water, you just feel this freedom, communing one with nature. I think it’s a way to leave your troubles on the shore and get out there on the water,” Trovato said.
The sport also lends itself to helping people with disabilities.
“It’s a very equalizing sport,” Trovato said, pointing out sailing can be done using only the upper body. “That’s a reason they look at it as a sport for the disabled community,” he said.
Trovato said a passion for the sport is what drew a group of sailors to form the organization. “We want to expose the sport. We have a great love for it and we want to have other people share in it,” he said.
The board of Sail Cape Cod includes people who work for the town of Barnstable, as well as people in the private sector involved with the sailing industry, like Matt Wake from Sturgis Boat Works and Garran Peterson of Cape Cod Sea Camps.
By making the sport affordable, community sailing programs like Sail Cape Cod attract a new group of sailors. “That’s the whole purpose of community sailing,” Trovato said. “It’s affordable sailing. “
Sail Cape Cod offers its services for free in its outreach programs and offers affordable classes in its adult sailing program.
Some of the people who founded Sail Cape Cod were inspired by the late Senator Ted Kennedy, who loved sailing. Trovato said, “I think he shared that vision for getting more people on the water on the Cape. He was a champion of this sport and these types of programs.”
The season for Sail Cape Cod’s adult sailing lessons began earlier this spring. The lessons take place Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in Lewis Bay.
The program is a drop-in program where people can take as many classes as they like, though Scudder, who serves as the instructor for the program, recommends four to six classes. There are six spots available and people can register on the website the day before.
The adult sail lessons cost $30 and are on two 17-foot day sailors.
To listen to Mike Trovato and Bryony Scudder of Sail Cape Cod talk about the program, listen below.
