The History of Disabled Sailing Association At Expo 86, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher donated a British made Sunbird sailboat to Rick Hansen in honour of his ?Man in Motion? world tour. In 1988 Rick Hansen presented this boat to Sam Sullivan, who subsequently used it to help found the Disabled Sailing Association of BC.  Sam Sullivan became a quadriplegic in a skiing accident in 1979. Sam made the decision to ?reach out ?. He wanted to reach out to the community of disabled people to help them take more responsibility for helping themselves. He wanted the general community to know that barriers preventing or limiting full participation in society on the part of people with disabilities could be overcome by reaching out and by taking action.
Today the boat used by disabled sailing programs is the Martin 16 sailboat. The Martin 16 is unsinkable, maneuverable and fast. It can easily be equipped with a ?Sip ?n? Puff? system, that allow even ? high quads ? ? those with little or no upper body mobility, to discover or return to the world of sailing. In 1991, Sam Sullivan envisioned a sailing regatta in which people would come together to promote public awareness of the capacities of people with disabilities and to provide those with disabilities the opportunity to participate in a world class event. The Mobility Cup is recognized as Canada?s International Regatta for Sailors with Disabilities. Through the use of innovative Canadian technology, Canada has become a leader in making sailing accessible to people with severe disabilities. Disabled people from around the word are invited to participate in Mobility Cup. Mobility Cup has become "Canada?s Showcase" for the development of sailing programs for people with disabilities. Both local and national media have shown interest in Mobility Cup and the event is well publicized. Mobility Cup is an event the competitors never forget, and they take their experiences home with them and initiate new Disabled Sailing Programs in their province or Country. Links to Mobility Cup websites from previous years: 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004.
Note: Older websites may no longer work as originally designed. DSA-Alberta In the fall of 1994, twelve new sailors formed the Disabled Sailing Association of Alberta (DSA-Alberta) with the goal of establishing permanent sailing programs for children and adults with disabilities in Alberta. Now, after many seasons of successful operation, thousands of Albertans can say they’ve “Gone Sailing!” through DSA-Alberta programs.  DSA-Alberta’s largely volunteer organization has grown into a recognized community service, partnering with more than 35 local agencies providing recreational opportunities for disabled children and adults in Calgary, and recently in Red Deer and Edmonton.
Our wide range of programs develop skills and independence and facilitate integration of our sailors, volunteers, and supporters into mainstream sailing events and activities. The success of sailing as a recreational and rehabilitation program is evident in both the growing numbers of people that participate in these programs and the enthusiastic support that DSA-Alberta has received from the disabled communities, community organizations and funding agencies. The lakes and oceans of Canada serve as a great healer and equalizer, where our sailors leave their wheelchairs (and their disabilities) behind, and enjoy the independence and freedom that everyone enjoys when wind, sun and spray join forces to make a perfect sailing day.
So . . .
. . . Get on Board! | 
