Challenged Sailors San Diego News: 2018

Happy Holidays to everyone! I hope Santa brought everyone something nice and you’re able to take some time off to ponder last year’s accomplishments as well as next year’s plans. 2018 has been a busy year at Challenged Sailors San Diego and 2019 looks to be even busier.

First, I want to THANK all of our volunteers! As you may have heard me say multiple times, the ‘magic’ of CSSD happens on the water but the hard work happens before and after anyone gets out on the water. There are always tasks to be done and between repairs, cleaning, and maintenance our volunteers take care of business. I am humbled and amazed at the wonderful group of people who give their time. We have no paid staff; no one receives a salary or compensation for the time they spend and yet we have what may be the best, most loyal and most giving group of volunteers in the world. THANK YOU!

Secondly, I want to thank all of our sailors as well. While CSSD exists for you, your appreciation and involvement and feedback to the volunteers is what makes us want to keep serving this community. If you haven’t taken the time, please let volunteers know how much you appreciate them. A ‘thank you’, a smile and maybe some salty sea stories about your adventure on the bay goes a long way. We sometimes say that our volunteers get more out of sailing than the sailors do; I don’t know for sure, but I suspect it is true in many cases.

I’d like to also thank the Board and those who have personally contributed financially to CSSD. Again, without you there would be no organization and your willingness to work behind the scenes with little glory is something I appreciate very much.

And of course, we have many partners and supporters in San Diego: yacht clubs, corporate donors, angel donors, etc., all contribute to the mission of CSSD. Thanks to all of you!

In 2018 CSSD held, or participated in, a number of regattas and events. The Kyle McArthur Regatta IV (held at Coronado Yacht Club) was the biggest event and fund raiser and the KMAC V (yes, fifth annual) will be held April, 27-29, 2019. Tammy Airhart is heading up the coordinating committee again and promised that this will be the best event ever! Thank you, Tammy. 😊 In addition to our regular Martin 16 sailing most Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year, CSSD held several special sailing events for a number of groups, including VISIONS 2018, TRACE, The Arc of San Diego, Casa Colina, Access to Independence, the Braille Club, and Paralyzed Veterans of America. CSSD participated in the Southern California Yachting Association’s Midwinter Regatta, Point Loma Yacht Club’s Charity Bay Race and CSSD sailors participated in San Diego Port Tenants Association’s Operation Clean Sweep and helped rid the bay of unwanted trash.

All of the events are listed in the calendar on the Challenged Sailors San Diego website. You can find upcoming events and sailing dates here: https://www.challengedsailors.org/calendar.html Sue Taetzsch is our coordinator extraordinaire. Another of our behind the scenes volunteers, she is continually engaged in setting up sailing times, coordinating partners and getting those pesky waiver forms completed. 😊 She’s also one of our best sailors as some of you have found out by watching the stern of her boat far ahead of you in many regattas.

Speaking of the website, if you haven’t visited recently please do so and of course come back frequently. There is quite a bit of information on the website which is managed by Doug Shaw. Doug does a wonderful job keeping this updated and filled with important information. https://www.challengedsailors.org. You can also follow CSSD on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/challengedsailors/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/ChallSailSD).

This year, we had a bit of an early Christmas present. We applied for a grant for a 2.4m sailboat from the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta. http://www.clagettregatta.org/ If you don’t know, these folks started hosting a regatta a number of years ago and have expanded beyond that to granting the use of sailboats to various organizations. This year, CSSD’s grant application was approved and a 2.4m sailboat was just delivered a few days ago. The 2.4m is the single person Parasailing boat and has been the single person Paralympic boat in the past. You can see details about this boat here: http://www.us24meter.org/ Needless to say we are proud and honored to be awarded this grant. It is a welcome addition to our fleet of 8 Martin16 sailboats.

I would be remiss if I didn’t remind everyone that CSSD is a non-profit organization that is totally dependent on donations. We do not charge for sailing days – something we hope to continue – and yet we sail more than most other adaptive sailing organizations do. We are a 501c3 (EIN 47-2882798) so your donations are tax deductible (see your tax professional of course). In 2018 our financial stability increased again, CSSD is in good shape to take on the next year. CSSD’s form 990s and our all hands meeting notes (which include financial information) is posted on the website. Our philosophy has always been to be financially responsible and while saying ‘no’ to some donations and purchases may seem odd, it’s allowed CSSD to grow a modest war chest that should help continue years of great sailing. Assuming, of course, we remain fiscally responsible. 😊

Ok, so what is in store for 2019? Well, more of the same good stuff. Individual sailing, group sailing, various regattas and events, etc. We’d like to schedule an additional race or two with just our sailors too. Next year we’ll be sailing the 2.4m and will be encouraging our sailors to attend the Clagett Regatta. We are looking to participate in another major regatta as well.

What help does CSSD need? More volunteers are always appreciated, and we’ll continue to train more and more folks to be companion sailors, etc. From a business perspective we’re looking to increase our ability to write/submit grants, partner with local YCs and businesses and increase public/market awareness.

And of course, have fun and enjoy our beautiful San Diego Bay!

If you have questions or feedback, feel free to send an email to info@challengedsailors.org or contact me (or anyone on the board) personally at corp@challengedsailors.org.

We’re looking to make 2019 the best year ever and can’t do it without YOUR help and support.

Thank You!!!

Sincerely,
Kevin Wixom
President, Challenged Sailors San Diego

A Few Highlights From 2018

Martin 16 with Spinnaker Booth at Sunroad Boat Show

SCYA Midwinter Regatta Sailing by SD Maritime Museum

KMAC IV Regatta at Coronado Yacht Club

Booth at SD Festival of Arts PLYC Charity Bay Regatta

Operation Clean Sweep Paralyzed Veterans of America

Access to Independence New 2.4mR

Support Us

Challenged Sailors San Diego is an all volunteer program and made possible by generous donations from individuals and several grants & sponsorships.

Volunteers are needed both on and off the water, including companion sailors, boat maintenance, back office support, and fund raising. Send an email to volunteer@challengedsailors.org if you would like to volunteer in any capacity.

Your tax deductible donation will help us continue to offer exciting sailing opportunities to those with disabilities. Challenged Sailors San Diego is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (EIN 47-2882798). Donate online through PayPal (credit and debit cards accepted, PayPal account not required) on our website, or send your check to: PO Box 6994, San Diego, CA 92166.

Thank you for your support.

Challenged Sailors San Diego

PO Box 6994

San Diego, CA 92166

Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday (November 27) is an international day of giving, kicking off the charitable giving season. Please consider making a donation at www.challengedsailors.org to support our adaptive sailing program.

A donation of $100 will enable someone with a disability such as Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury, Muscular Dystrophy, amputation, Traumatic Brain Injury, visual impairment, hearing impairment, Cerebral Palsy, or ALS to enjoy an afternoon sailing on San Diego Bay.

"Thanks for the wonderful experiences ..." - A.
"I had so much fun ..." - C.
"I loved every single second ..." - D.
" ... feel the wind in my face. I would love to go sail again." - A.
"[P.] would [like] to come sail again ... He had the best time. So proud of himself for steering the boat." - J.

Thank you for considering Challenged Sailors San Diego in your charitable giving. www.challengedsailors.org