Adaptive program allows people of all abilities and ages to sail on Lake Michigan

MILWAUKEE (CBS58) — Summers in Wisconsin mean soaking in the few months we have of the sun and heat, and there's no better way to do that, than on the waters of Lake Michigan. An adaptive sailing program created by the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center, in coordination with the Abilities Center, allows anyone to go sailing. 

Sailing can be an intense and at times, expensive sport, admits Teresa Coronado, the Outreach and Development Coordinator for the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center. "The way boats are set up and things are marketed, they might not be allowed to have access. We make sure that’s not true an anyone can get here and get on a boat and go sailing." 

Coronado said she's been sailing since she was a child, making her feel peaceful and confident. She's set on helping people of all ages and abilities set sail. "We're not teaching super athletic Olympic racing. We're teaching the this is how you control a boat in the wind, this is how you sail in Lake Michigan, you can learn to race, you can learn to be casual, whatever you need... I go to a group and ask what would make you more comfortable on the water, what can i do to get you out on the water and feel like you have some control over what’s happening? And for the most part, if they ended a lift to get from mobility device to the boat and out. We've built a couple chairs to fit into boats so people without core strength can have a safety buckle, and sit up in the boat and control steering." 

Adaptive sailing has been growing in Milwaukee for the last 30 years, typically getting about 75 people to come out each Friday, all summer long. 

For Emma Dressel, Program Director for the Abilities Center, the partnership stretches beyond her work. "It’s meant a lot to me, my dad has a spinal cord injury so he himself is now paralyzed and in a wheelchair, so he’s excited to learn he’s now able to do because he used to sail growing up, but he hasn’t sailed since his injury but would love to try it again."

Some of those sailors include coaches with disabilities themselves, Mark who wears a cochlear implant, and Bonnie, who is a polio survivor.

One of the newest sailors is Oliver Nepper, who says he's been in a wheelchair his whole life but still able to be physically active, moving his entire body. He crawled into the boat, leaving his wheelchair on the dock, soon setting sail. "I love being around water and i also have been embracing life more, so really leaning into saying yes to more opportunities, this seemed like a good opportunity to be around water and try a new thing" he shared.

Proving it's more than just a boat ride, it's a learning experience. Bonnie had asked him to hold the rope at times, even letting him steer. She joked with him that he got an A+. "Not knowing that I could physically do it or not knowing how to go about that, so this really opened the door of this can be really easy and we have people who can help you," he said.

Also seizing the opportunity was the Lenz family, made up of Meg, Dan, and Luke. Dan said his son Luke "likes the motion" because it's "comforting."

We joined them on their second ride, where they're learning all there is about water and family time together. Dan shared, "it’s wonderful. It’s a really unique experience for meg and I but also for Luke. We’ve learned a lot about sailing and about the water, you can't go wrong with the view of downtown Milwaukee. It's a really nice experience."

Luke exclaimed "oh yeah!" and waved to other boats. Meg said she loves sailing as a family because "it’s so relaxing and peaceful." She went on to say, "it’s great to have opportunity like this because it might be something we would never think of doing but the ability center provides all different opportunities like this for people with needs and disabilities, so we really appreciate that very much."

In the last 15 years, the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center reportedly doubled their memberships and programing, even hosting the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship!

"Letting people have the option to say "yes, I want to do that" is my favorite part of my job. Because even if they have the option, they can say no and not sail, which is fine but nobody’s done it yet. But just knowing you have the option to do something opens up the lake for people in Milwaukee and the Milwaukee area and it’s such a huge part of what we are as Milwaukeeans" shared Coronado.

As the sun set on this ride, it just created new beginnings and opportunities for what's to come.

For more information on the Adaptive Sailing Program, click here.