Tom Tolbert

Volunteer Director, Sailing Fascination

In 1997, Tom assumed the position of Volunteer Director of Sailing Fascination shortly after being a student of the program himself. An avid sailor for over 30 years, as well as a bicyclist, tennis player, Hollywood stuntman and successful businessman, Tom’s wind was taken out of his sails in 1994. An aneurysm, the type of which only 10% survive, changed things.

Tom needed to relearn the most rudimentary physical tasks all over again, and to accept a lifestyle change from the way things used to be, but one that certainly would not keep him down. Now, Tom walks with a cane, has a bit of slurred speech and has lost much of his right arm and leg mobility. Nevertheless, through sailing, he finds and gives inspiration about what life can hold for people with handicaps.

Tom doesn’t make any money volunteering his time every week. Instead, he does it to empower those who have handicaps. According to Tom, “Probably 75% of our students have never been in charge of any apparatus. They still haven’t been in charge of a bicycle, car, anything. This is a first for them, and seeing one of them smile is a really big deal for all of us.”

John Byerlein

Skipper, OASIS Sailing Club

During the summer of 2007, John played an instrumental role in keeping the Foundation afloat after the co-founder, and acting skipper, had to leave his position for health reasons. John, who is the longest-standing skipper at the OASIS Sailing Club, spearheaded a relationship between OASIS and Sailing Fascination to provide volunteer skippers in order to keep the Foundation going.

John is no stranger to the sea. From his 1944 oath to become a Cadet through his 34-year active and reserve Coast Guard officer assignments, he has loved the sea and its lore. Trained on 8-ft Sabots through coastal cruising sailboats, he volunteered as a Nautical Museum docent while he taught Lido-14 sailing in Newport Beach’s KIDSCENE program. He still sails over 50 times a year, conducts seaworthy training and mentoring of OASIS members, and acts as Club Maintenance Officer for its sloops.

OASIS Sailing Club now provides over 20 volunteer skippers on a rotating basis to assist in the Foundation.