Traverse group helps make sailing accessible for everyone

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY - It’s summer, and everyone wants to get out on the water and feel the lake breeze, but for some it’s not as easy as hopping on any old boat.

That’s where Traverse Area Community Sailing comes in. They’re helping people with disabilities get out and enjoy one of Michigan’s best features, open water.

“Most of the programs that we develop all come from one idea,” said Director of Traverse Area Community Sailing Ben Ferris. “That takes a couple of people to push the program through to kind of see it grow. Then from there, we can kind of keep it running, keep improving, and continue its evolution.”

Ferris said he approached by some locals who asked how they could make sailing accessible for people with disabilities.

“They kind of started the whole ball rolling and we learned some more things,” said Ferris. “We found some different boats, some different safety protocols that we can follow to make sure everybody is safe and have a front of the water. It kind of just kind of bloomed from there.”

For Ferris this was personal. His brother has cerebral palsy, and his family takes him sailing by creating their own adaptations.

“We always tied him into the boat. So, if we ever capsize, he was probably going to stay in the boat,” said Ferris. “This is a safer way to kind of do the same thing we kind of did. But adaptability is important for especially for him, because it gives him a sense of normalcy, a little sense of freedom.”

The accessible sailing started around 2010 and has continued, now meeting on Thursday nights in the summer.

Instructor Anna Catemaday has the opportunity to ride with the participants and see what they experience firsthand.

“It has opened my world view so much, seeing all the different programs, even locally,” said Catemaday. “You’re able to give these people dignity, because they’re just like you and me.”

Participants are always paired with a knowledgeable sailor and anyone needing any adaptation for sailing can attend.

The program is open to walk-ins.