Blind Sailing Unlimited Inc., a Florida based organization whose mission is to teach and promote the sport of blind sailing, is organizing a blind match racing clinic in cooperation with Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan (SEAS) and Liz Baylis, Executive Director of the Women’s International Match Racing Association (WIMRA). The clinic to be held November 20-22 is being hosted by the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors (BAADS) at South Beach Yacht Club.

Match racing is the type of sailboat racing in the America’s Cup where two boats sail against each other. In blind match racing the Homerus acoustic buoy system is used to allow the sailors to hear where the marks are. The system consists of three special buoys that each make a distinctive sound. In addition to the buoy each boat also makes a sound so the sailors can hear where their opponent is.

Six blind and visually impaired sailors will be taking part in the 3-day clinic which will teach skills for match racing and orient them to the Homerus acoustic buoy system. Over the three days these sailors will gain confidence in sailing their boat around the course independently without sighted assistance. They will hone their skills to sail faster and better than the other boat they are racing against.

This is the first of a series of blind match racing clinics to be held around the United States to help grow the sport of blind match racing leading up to the 2016 Blind Match Racing World Championships to be held in Sheboygan, WI in late September 2016.

For more information contact:
Kris Scheppe, Blind Sailing Unlimited Inc. 239-206-3451
Cristina Rubke, BAADS 415-533-0276