Sail for the Blind and Visually Impaired returns to Newport Beach
October 4, 2017
American Legion Yacht Club and Women’s Sailing Association to host/sponsor sailing event, Oct. 7.
NEWPORT BEACH — Two local sailing organizations hope to take dozens of visually impaired sailors onto the water on early October as part of an annual sailing event.
The Sail for the Blind and Visually Impaired, organized by American Legion Yacht Club and Women’s Sailing Association (Orange County), is scheduled to return Oct. 7. Sailors and their escorts will be on the water from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Organizers hope to have 240 blind or visually impaired adults and escorts to sail the waters of Newport Beach with WSA-OC and American Legion Post 291 Family volunteers.
The sail requires at least 45 skippers and boats, plus about 150 volunteers to serve as crew, escorts, guide dog sitters, and more.
Bonnie Gibson and Bobbie Reed launched the Sail for the Blind and Visually Impaired in 1990, when they took 15 blind people for a sail on a 40-foot sailboat. The event has continued annually since then, with WSA-OC sponsoring and the American Legion Post 291 Family hosting.
Those interested in assisting, donating items for fundraising or participating in the sail can contact WSA-OC at info@wsaoc.org or the American Legion YC at 949-673-5070.
Women’s Sailing Association OC photo
