Notes from Shirley...
Our adapted sailing program provided many sailing opportunities for people with disabilities in Regina this summer despite the setback of a number of bad sailing days because of bad sailing weather. Our summer student staff headed up by Christy McConnell did yeoman's work getting as many people as they could into the boats.
This season we conducted a coaching program headed up by Sandy Lauder. The coaching program was an effective way of providing WOW members with the skills and knowledge necessary for competitive sailing. This fact is borne out by the improved position of our sailors at the Toronto Mobility Cup 2009.
To follow up on the summer coaching program WOW is introducing a winter seminar series on sailing. Sandy Lauder our Senior Companion Sailor and Coach will lead the seminars. You can attend as many sessions as you want and they are free! The first session is 1 PM to 3 PM Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 702 Sangster Blvd... To register for the program please contact Sandy Home: 789-6997 - Cell 540-8286 - email: sandylauder@gmail.com.
The Board is planning to expand the coaching program for next summer by organizing 2 training groups: novice (Silver Fleet) and experienced (Gold Fleet). Watch for further announcements about how you can get involved.
Our club lives and breathes with the financial assistance of a whole range of public and private sponsors. I am excited about the prospects for our new sponsorship arrangement with URO Medical Services. In the past URO has supported us by purchasing fundraiser dinner tickets.
Under a new agreement between WOW and URO Medical Services, when a sailing club member orders medical supplies such as catheters, wound dressings or incontinence supplies from URO the member receives a material reward. WOW receives sponsorship support when one of our members agrees to purchase their medical supplies from URO. If you have any questions about this program please contact me at wowsail@sasktel.net or URO Medical Services 306.651.3330 or toll free 866 .657.3330 or e-mail uromed.sasktel.net.
The WOW board is hosting a focus group to talk about the future direction of the sailing club. Members will have an opportunity to voice their opinion about what works and what doesn't about the sailing club. A chili social will follow the focus group. The focus group is scheduled for 2 PM to 5 PM Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 702 Sangster Blvd. To register contact Ken Taylor at 306 .543.4089 or wowsail1@sasktel.net.
Thank you.
Shirley Toth Commodore, Wind On My Wings Sailing Club
September 09
W.O.W.
teams up with
URO Medical
to raise funds for
adapted
sailing program
The Board of Directors are pleased to announce that URO Medical Supplies of Saskatchewan have agreed to work with our organization to raise funds for our adapted sailing program. This is a great opportunity for all of our members to help. No donations necessary.
The agreement between WOW and URO medical states that when you obtain medical supplies from URO reward dollars go directly to you, and because of your participation in the URO program sponsorship funds go to WOW. WOW's job is to inform WOW members about the URO Medical Supplies Ltd. customer appreciation program and the company's support for WOW.
Your routine supplies order can trigger sponsorship dollars from supporting manufacturers toward our adapted sailing program. URO Medical will trigger this support from the folks that manufactured the products you use. You dont need to do anything different.
WOW does not endorse specific companies of product/services. The Board has observed that URO Medical Supplies puts a high emphasis on helping their customers increase quality of life and independence. For information on URO Medical Supplies programs and services call 306.651.3330 or toll free 866 .657.3330 or e-mail uromed@sasktel.net.
Once again, thank you for your consideration of this information. I look forward to our organization growing through these new relationships. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the WOW Board at wowsail@sasktel.net.
WOW Board of Directors
September 09
WOW FOCUS GROUP INVITATION
Wind On My Wings Sailing Club (WOW)
invites you to a Focus Group
Saturday October 17th
2 PM -- 5pm
702 Sangster Blvd.
Chili Social Will Follow the Focus Group
The purpose of the focus group is to talk about the future direction of the sailing club. You will have an opportunity to voice your opinion about what works and what doesn't about the sailing club. The discussion will be led by Ken Taylor.
Please Register by October 10
Space is limited
Telephone 306 .543.4089
E-Mail: wowsail1@sasktel.net
Visit www.wowsail.ca for information about WOW
Regina members of Wind On My Wings sailing club off to international competition
By Ian Hamilton, Leader-PostAugust 25, 2009
Judy Winship, one of three disabled sailors from Regina attending the Molbility Cup Sailing Regatta, gets some practice time with her instructor, Sandy Lauder, on Wascana Lake.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post
REGINA For Ron Newman, there's more that draws him to sailing than the feeling of the wind in his hair and the spray of water on his skin.
"I'm not in my (wheel)chair," Newman said Tuesday after he was named to Regina's team for the upcoming Mobility Cup Sailing Regatta. "It's one of the only sports (for the disabled) that your chair is not part of it.
"When you're out on the water, your chair is sitting on the dock and you're gone. It's a whole different feeling when you're not in your chair. It gives you a whole different outlook on life."
Newman, 55, is in a wheelchair because he suffers from muscular dystrophy. Because he had a background in a variety of sports he had tried things like downhill skiing, shooting, hockey, rugby, track and field, and curling he was asked in 1999 if he wanted to try sailing as well.
"I just like to be outdoors and doing stuff," Newman said. "After I got over my initial fear of water, I just kept on."
He was the first sailor from Regina to attend the Mobility Cup, an international regatta for disabled sailors. This year's event is slated for Aug. 31 to Sept. 4 in Toronto.
Newman is to be joined at the '09 Cup by fellow Regina residents Tom Webb and Judy Winship, all of whom are members of the Wind On My Wings (WOW) sailing club.
Webb, 51, is set to attend his fifth Mobility Cup. He's in his sixth season with WOW.
"It's great," he said. "When you're sailing, nobody knows you're disabled. You can be totally disabled and still be able to sail a boat. It's totally fantastic that we have this program here."
Webb has multiple sclerosis, but he isn't in a wheelchair. The disease also hasn't affected his arms to a great extent, so he's able to manage his boat's sails without the electronic equipment other competitors use.
"I don't know what I'd do in the summer if I didn't have sailing," Webb said. "I take tai chi, but it doesn't get you outside. This is perfect for me."
Winship, 63, feels the same way about sailing even though she had never participated in the sport before last year.
"It's a sense of freedom," said Winship, who's in a wheelchair because of multiple sclerosis. "I can't walk, so this is an awesome feeling.
"When you're in a boat, nobody knows what your disability is. You can put two people in a boat one able-bodied and one with a disability and you wouldn't be able to tell them apart. The best way I can describe it is freedom.
"I'm also doing it for me, not for anybody else. That's important to me."
Winship is in a boat with an able-bodied "companion sailor," as are the other competitors in the Silver Fleet. Competitors in the Gold Fleet for more accomplished sailors have the option of using a companion sailor.
If needed, a mechanical lift can be used to transfer disabled sailors into the Martin 16 class boats, which are fitted with electronic equipment (for steering and sail adjustment) for those competitors who need it.
The three Regina sailors are to be joined in Toronto by Patrick Innes and Christy McConnell, who are to provide sailing and personal care support.
Winship said her trip to the 2008 Mobility Cup didn't start well the battery in her boat died, meaning her steering joystick didn't work but things improved as the week went on.
As for the '09 event . . .
"I have no idea what to expect out there," she said. "You get wet and things happen but that's part of the joy of sailing."
ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post
Tom Webb's Chat on Toronto Mobility Cup 2009
Hi sailors,
Our Sailing Team had an Excellent Time in Toronto. Myself, Judy Winship also Judy's caregiver Christy McConnell, Patrick Innes (Companion Sailor) went to Mobility Cup. A day earlier we took a Bus Tour to Niagara Falls. It was amazing; we went on The Maid of the Mist.
Sailing was a lot of fun, there could've been a little more Wind. We did sail everyday, but the Races were slow. I managed to finish in the middle of the pack in the majority of the Races. I also finished in Fourth place in One Race, which was the best finish I've had in the Five Mobility Cup's I've been to. My overall finish was 7th out of 19. Not to bad for a Prairie Sailor.
This was Judy's second Mobility Cup, and I think she improved over last years Races.
This summer we had some Coaching, from a gentleman, Sandy Lauder. He taught us what we need to do at the starts, also how to set the Sails to Pick up the most Winds, and allot of other Sailing Tips.
Ron Newman had another good Mobility Cup. I think this one was his Seventh or Eighth. He Sails with Gold fleet, Judy and I we sail in the Silver Fleet. The Gold Fleet is more experienced Sailors. Ron said he a Good Time and a lot of fun. That's what really matters.
That All For Now
Tom Webb
September 09
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Wind On My Wings Sailing Club
Address: RPO Broad St. Box 24014
Regina, Sask. S4P 4J8
Cell Phone # 533-1684