Able Sail Toronto is a registered charity without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction that is run and managed by people who live with physical disabilities themselves.
Able Sail Toronto is dedicated to providing people living with a physical disability, the opportunity to enjoy sailing. We know from experience the health and social benefits that adults, youth and children with physical disabilities can gain from sailing. Able Sail Toronto exists to enable access to sport and healthy activities, particularly for people living on a fixed income as many of our members do.
Sailing is a versatile sport that easily adapts to the needs of people with physical disabilities and it levels the playing field. We strive to give our members a sense of independence, pride and self-sufficiency.
Our Mission
1To relieve conditions associated with a physical disability by providing specially adapted sailboats, sailing programs and facilities in a safe environment.
2To do all such things as are incidental or ancillary to the attainment of the above purpose.
Our Vision
1To promote inclusion of people with physical disabilities in healthy, active and safe physical recreation;
2To increase access for people with physical disabilities to outdoor activity;
3To promote creation of community and social inclusion for people with physical disabilities.
4To support independent sailing with instruction and coaching for people with physical disabilities.
This gives participants an opportunity to challenge themselves, improve and learn new skills and capabilities. Too often people choose to do for instead of do with those challenged physically. This can result in a tendency towards passivity on the part of the person with disabilities. Our goal is to offer the opportunity and resources necessary for those challenged physically to learn to sail and then to sail independently. Sailing with the adaptive sailboats and assistive technology where needed can transform lives and add opportunities of freedom and independence, and have a positive effect on personal and social lives.
Able Sail Toronto depends on the support of private, public and corporate donations. Funds donated are used to purchase and maintain the adapted sailboats as well as other equipment. They also allow us to subsidize the sailing program.
How does it work?
We provide specially-designed sailboats, docks and all the specialized equipment necessary for people with limited mobility, dexterity, sensation and strength to be able to get in a sailboat and go sailing. Our goal is to enable a sense of independence and self-sufficiency.
Participants sail for pleasure, competition and to socialize. Typical activities are pleasure sails, sailing lessons, race competitions and social events. There’s something for everyone.
Who are our participants?
Our participants have physical disabilities such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, multiple limb amputations, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), polio/post-polio syndrome, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), effects of stroke, brain injuries, artificial limbs and other physical disabilities.
Looking back at 2023
Able Sail Toronto served 60 participants in 2023 and has surpassed that number in 2024.
In 2023 we hosted the Mobility Cup regatta, Mobility Cup is a “regatta of possibility” where personal, social, geographic, technological and organizational barriers are challenged in the spirit of friendly competition. The Mobility Cup Regatta demonstrates that sailing is an inclusive, accessible and integrated sport/recreation available to all persons. Anyone can sail independently regardless of their physical ability or disability.
Your shared enthusiasm for sailing has added a special breeze to our sails, and we're grateful for the moments spent navigating the seas of excitement and discovery!