About The Program

Since 1996, Sailing Fascination, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, has provided free sailing lessons to over 500 students with a range of disabilities. Students with spinal-cord injuries, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, post-polio conditions, quadriplegia and other physical conditions, as well as high school students with developmental disabilities, come weekly for classes. All they need is an enthusiasm for learning and the desire for an increased quality of life.

With no prior experience needed, the Foundation teaches students everything from boat safety, sailing terminology and concepts, steering, tacking, running down-wind, crewing and perhaps most importantly, confidence-building. “The idea is that students are experienced boat drivers by the time they leave us,” Tom Tolbert, Director of Sailing Fascination explains. “The program is really about them spending time at the tiller, not just being a passenger.”

Aboard the J-24 Fascination 2 berthed in Newport Harbor, students join the volunteer crew of two other sailors to head out to Newport Harbor for their 2-hour lesson. Capable students can go alone, or, with a caregiver if preferred. Because the lessons are limited to one or two students per lesson, training occurs at their pace and at their comfort level. “The experience students get by being in control of a boat is amazing,” Tom says. “It’s a special treat. To look over and see a student smile while behind the tiller is an absolute thrill. I don’t think you can actually teach all of them everything about sailing, but their ability to problem-solve is dramatically enhanced. For once in their lives, these folks are in charge.”