Boats in water
Boats on the water at the Mobility Cup in Lunenburg, NS (Nathan Coleman).
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The boats used in the regatta are Martin 16s, which are specially adapted for accessible sailing.
“They have a really heavy lead keel, so they’re untippable—that’s the idea,” explained Anneka Siegel, a sailor from Halifax. “For people who might be strapped into the boat and can’t swim very well, that’s really important.”
The Lunenburg Yacht Club spent a year preparing to host the regatta, investing $250,000 to upgrade their facilities and make them more accessible.
“For the first time in over 75 years, our clubhouse is fully accessible. There were always stairs or a very steep ramp to get into the building. Now everything meets Nova Scotia’s upcoming 2030 accessibility standards,” said Erin McCarty, Commodore of the Lunenburg Yacht Club.
One of the key improvements was the addition of a new 30-foot ramp, 48 inches wide, which enables sailors to access the water easily.
“Every year, it’s a lot of the same faces you’ve seen at past events, and they become such awesome friends. They come from all over North America—San Diego, Hawaii—and when you see them again, it’s so awesome,” Burns said, reflecting on the camaraderie among the participants.
The sailors are divided into two fleets: the Gold fleet for experienced racers and the Silver fleet for those who are new to the sport.
Thumbnail image taken by Nathan Coleman.
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Publish date : 2024-08-28 05:12:00
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