| Last updated on July 17, 2007 |
We believe sailing is the sport where disabled people feel most able so we seek to make sailing accessible to persons of all abilities in the Bay Area.
Description:
BAADS has Sailing programs for all sailors of all abilities and all ages over 7 years, with Skipper’s approval. Sailing classes are every Saturday and Sunday at the South Beach Harbor in San Francisco. Classes are free and though BAADS is an organization created and run by disabled sailors, these free classes are open to people of all abilities. Able bodied persons may have to pull things, push things, lift things, carry things, wash things, sand things and raise money for things but even able bodied people can become world class sailors by studying with BAADS. The Fleet includes three keel boats, seven dinghies and a safety boat. BAADS programs include Bay cruising, Sailing skills training, Youth program, ASA Skippers preparation, Sailing teachers preparation and BAADS racing team. The ASA Skippers' program can lead to a career path. BAADS racing team has beaten enough able bodied sailing teams to prove we do not need legs to eat your air.
History:
BAADS Is the outgrowth of the Lake Merritt Adapted Boating Program in Oakland. Glo Webel, Director of the Lake Merritt Program dedicated herself to organizing a Bay sailing program for sailors with disabilities. With a group of sailing students from Lake Merritt, a core group was founded to launch BAADS in 1987 and 1988.
BAADS became a reality when, through the generosity of Everett Pearson, a new 20 foot Freedom Independence boat was shipped from the Rhode Island in 1988. Gary Mull, the late East Bay naval architect, had designed this boat, especially to meet the needs of mobility impaired sailors. The Manatee gave BAADS a focus for its activities. The original arrangement was to have BAADS pay for the boat as money was raised, but in 1988, fund-raising proved all but impossible. Also, storage and docking facilities costs were prohibitive for the small group.
Grant Ross, with a young disabled girl named Nyri Scanlon, who is still an active member of BAADS, made a documentary film of the new Freedom 20 sailing down the Sacramento River as part of a plan to raise awareness about sailing for persons with disabilities. It was a great film, but not a great commercial success. Elected as the first BAADS Commodore was Howard Robinson, who auctioned his own skiff and other equipment at a fundraiser to help pay BAADS expenses. Small grants were received from IBM and the San Francisco Sailing Foundation, but it was clear that BAADS still had difficult financial problems.
In 1989, the tide turned when Ed Mackin suggested to BAADS's new Commodore, Dave Stuart, that BAADS move to San Francisco and affiliate with the South Beach Yacht Club. Ed mentioned that SBYC had a commitment to support community-based sailing activities. With the wholehearted support of the founding members of SBYC, the Redevelopment Agency Commission of San Francisco agreed to provide a free slip for BAADS. SBYC invited BAADS to be part of its membership and to share the clubhouse facilities. BAADS had found a home !
BAADS blossomed in 1990. Skilled, excited, and enthusiastic new members came aboard. Margot Lynn began developing a sail training program. Sachi Itagaki began a regular newsletter and raised the standard of sailing skills. Dave Izant, a longtime supporter, donated his beautiful Erickson 27, Endless Time, which became the flagship of the BAADS fleet.
Richard Skaff took over the helm as Commodore in 1991 developing contacts for contributions and support. Laurence Kornfield accepted the role as boatswain handling both boat maintenance and BAADS paperwork over a 10-year time frame.
In 1993, BAADS's first class of skippers completed the American Sailing Association (ASA) Keelboat Certification Program. A Grant from the Langendorf foundation funded, the program for several years. Currently, ASA and/or US Sailing training classes are funded by donations to the organization. Our goal is to train eight skippers per year. BAADS could not have survived without the tireless support of Dan Sullivan, and Dan Hill who took over the maintenance of our fleet of boats.
BAADS currently has three keelboats sailing out of the South Beach harbor.
A second Freedom, Independence boat, the Raven, was purchased in 1994. The original Freedom 20, Manatee, was scrapped in 2003 due to hull failure and delamination. The Erickson 27, Endless Time, accidentally rammed the harbor's seawall after a Christmas lighted boat parade and was totaled by the insurance company. A Catalina 30, Tashi, was donated to BAADS in 2003 and upgraded for sailing by sailors with disabilities. A Ranger 23, Heidi, was purchased and upgraded 2002. With more than 125 members and supporters, the BAADS burgee flies on the Bay on every weekend and often during the week.
BAADS members participate in activities that seemed unreachable just a few years ago; competing in local, national and international races, joining club cruises and social events, and probably most rewarding, sailing on San Francisco Bay with family and friends. A web site keeps our members informed www.BAADS.org and we communicate with our telephone voicemail -- 415 -- 281 -- 0212
BAADS has encouraged its members to participate and support racing programs for its members. Herb Meyer has participated in eight US Sailing national championships, Paralympic trials in 1996 and 2000, and several international events in Canada, Italy and Australia. Several other BAADS members have also participated in national championships Paralympic qualification regattas.
In November, 2005, the South Beach Harbor ramps were made ADA compliant and the dinghy dock completed. During 2006, BAADS acquired eight Access Dinghies to be used for sail training and racing. Training of BAADS skippers is under way. We hope to encourage children with disabilities to participate in our ongoing instruction programs. Plans are in place to bring the first USA National Championship for the Liberty Access Dinghy in May, 2007.
Contact people:
Main office number: (415) 281-0212
Address:
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Pier 40 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94107
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.baads.org
Directions:
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BAADS docks are located in the South Beach Yacht Harbor. The docks are closest to Townsend and the Embarcadero and the clubhouse is closest to Second and King streets, right next to ATT Giants Stadium.
Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Second and King Street,
Walk distance (in minutes): 3 |
Miscellaneous Information
| Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency? |
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American Sign Language, Cantonese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Hebrew
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| What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency? |
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seven years old, with skippers approval.
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| Is your agency wheelchair accessible? |
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Yes
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| Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10? |
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Yes
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| Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20? |
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No
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