"opportunity, accessibility, independence"
Our Programs!
Community Partnership
DSA-Alberta teams with agencies serving children, adults, and seniors to introduce them to sailing, many for their first time. A number of our Community Partners serve persons with disabilities. Together we offer Albertans of all ages and abilities a recreational outing in boats designed for accessibility. The clients of our partner agencies experience a 2-3 hour outdoor event including a barbecue, a sail in one of our Martin 16s or Sonar keelboats, and onshore activities. Some of our new members come from our Community Partner clientele. Others ask to return year after year to experience the freedom of sailing, and to have a great time “ripping up the reservoir”!! New approaches and programs are needed to serve communities that do not have easy accessibility to our sailing venue.
Independent Sailing
Children and adults with disabilities are provided with the opportunity to sail independently on Glenmore Reservoir. Once certified at the White Sail III level, our members can sail our Martin 16 sloops on their own. White Sail III is required to take non-sailors as companions in our DSAAlberta boats. While learning, or just for an outing, DSA-Alberta provides independent sailing with a qualified volunteer sailing companion. Opportunities also exist for our sailors to participate in local and international sailing competitions - on equal footing with other participants from sailing and yacht clubs, or in the prestigious Mobility Cup – Canada’s International Regatta for Sailors with a Disability, attracting sailors and DSA organizers from around the world
Learn-to-Sail
DSA-Alberta offers Canadian Yachting Association certified "Learn to Sail" classes. Our instructors ensure that youth and adults alike are certified to sail safely on an independent basis. It is important to note that these classes are open to the general public, not just to those who have disabilities. These classes are open to anyone, including the spouses, families and friends of our members, volunteers and clients, as well as anyone in the community who wishes to learn more about sailing in a safe environment.
Regattas
DSA-Alberta participates in the yearly regattas held at the Glenmore Resevoir. These events take place on the weekends and consist of racing, food, and socializing.
Inreach and Outreach
Our Inreach Program delivers sailing opportunities for individuals who live outside the Calgary area by offering mid-week or weekend camps at our well-established facility at the Glenmore Reservoir. Our Outreach Program endeavours to take our programs on the road, to venues where local client and volunteer enthusiasm combine to bring accessible sailing to a community.
