SAILBLIND PROGRAM

Sailing is more than a sport—it's a lifelong passion.

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COME FEEL THE WIND & LET'S SET SAIL

SailBlind welcomes visually impaired or blind adults (ages 18+) with the opportunity to learn the sport of sailing. No sailing experience is necessary for visually impaired or blind sailors to participate, we welcome all skill levels to join in on the fun!

SailBlind is a recreational program that offers various ways to participate, based on your goals and objectives for the summer. Whether you are just looking to go for a boat ride, looking to receive sailing instruction and hands on experience, or looking to refine your prior sailing skills and knowledge, we offer all of these!

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

Sailors

there is a person wearing a blue and yellow life vest and is pulling a rope on a sunny day

Sighted Guides

picture of one man and one younger man in a sailboat. The man in the foreground is smiling at the camera. Both are wearing life jackets

Onshore Volunteers

photo of three people sitting at a picnic table eating. One woman is waving at the camera.

Race Coach

a man in a sailboat steering holding a tissue in the air to sense the wind direction. another woman (instructor) is looking his direction.

SailBlind Socializer (Remote)

group of sailors wearing life jackets on the docks standing together. some individuals are holding white canes

SCHEDULE

SailBlind takes place every Saturday throughout the season from 9:00am to 12pm. Sailors will be on the water for approximately1.5 hours. The 2025 season will run from Saturday, June 7th through Saturday, September 20th.

blind sailor (woman) wearing sunglasses and a sun hat. she is raising one arm in the air to feel the wind direction

WEEKLY SCHEDULING PROCESS

Every Monday, you will receive a weekly email reminder from the SailBlind Director. This email will contain a link to an RSVP Google Form. If you would like to attend the upcoming Saturday session, please complete the RSVP form by that Thursday at 9am.

This form will also provide you with the option to indicate if you are bringing a guest (if room allows during the session).

On Thursdays, the SailBlind Director will send out an email confirming boat pairings/assignments.

Cancellations: if after signing up you know in advance you can no longer attend, please email the SailBlind Director. If you need to cancel the morning of, please contact the “point person”. The “point person” will be indicated in the weekly reminder email.

4 sailors in a boat. One (man) is leaning on the side of the boat smiling at the camera

LOCATION

We sail out of Community Boating (CBI) in Boston on the Charles River.

aerial shot of community boating facility on the water with a couple of sailboats sailing by

THE SAILBOATS

We typically sail in 22 foot Sonars. The Sonar is a keelboat with a fixed counterweight underneath, which provides stability and lateral resistance. These tend to be bigger boats with more stability and more sail area! These boats can comfortably accommodate 4 to 5 people.

WHAT TO BRING/WEAR

Required: close toed shoes, water/water bottle (CBI has water fountains).
Recommended: hat, sunscreen, snacks, change of clothes, warm layer, rain coat.

In general, we recommend bringing a small bag with you that includes the above items. If you’d like to bring your bag with you on the sailboat, we recommend you bring a waterproof bag as there’s a chance your bag will get wet. You also have the option to keep your bag locked indoors at the CBI facility in a locker. Lockers with accessible locks are available. Life jackets will be provided but if you have one you like, you’re welcome to bring it.

one woman and man walking in front of each other wearing lifejackets and using white canes. Another man is standing by their side talking to them.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The SailBlind Director and Community Boating staff will continue to monitor the weather leading up to each Saturday. If there is a forecast for thunderstorms or extremely high winds, the Saturday session may be cancelled. The SailBlind Team will be notified no later than Friday if we are going to cancel. If there is light rain or fog, we will still plan to go sailing.

photo of two sailboats in foggy grey skies weather

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (2025 Season)

Information Sessions Thursday 2/27, Thrusday 3/19, Thursday 4/16 at 7pm via Zoom *more info below
Virtual Guide Orientation Wednesday 5/14 at 7pm via Zoom (required for all new and returning sighted guides)
In-Person Volunteer Orientation Saturday 5/17 at Community Boating 9am-11:30am (highly encouraged, lunch is included!)
Virtual Sailor Orientation Wednesday 5/21 at 7pm via Zoom (required for all new sailors)
Virtual Onshore Volunteer Orientation Wednesday 5/28 at 7pm via Zoom (required for all new and returning onshore volunteers)
Walk for Independence Saturday 5/31 at 9am, Mt. Ida Campus of UMass Amherst (join our SailBlind Walk team!)
First Session Saturday 6/7
Last Session Saturday 9/20

SAILBLIND SAILOR

“Feeling the wind against my face and feeling the boat as it glides through the water certainly provides the chance to feel that sense of freedom and the opportunity to be able to feel independent… each week I come with an open mind, with a desire to learn something new and build on the skills from prior weeks and prior summers.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP! (Google Form)

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