Boston, MA, USA – Blind Sailing Unlimited teamed up with Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan (SEAS), the Women’s International Match Racing Association (WIMRA), and Community Boating Inc. to hold the third in a series of Blind Match Racing Clinics in the United States using the Homerus acoustic mark system. The clinic was put on to help encourage participation at the 2016 Blind Match Racing World Championship to be held in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in September.

Blind match racing is unique in the world of blind sailing as the visually impaired sailors race the boats with no sighted assistance onboard. They navigate the course through the use of the Homerus acoustic marks, each making a distinct sound, while each boat also emits a sound based off of which tack the boat is on. Through these audible clues the sailors not only make their way around the course without sighted help, but also engage the other team in classic match racing style.

Seven blind sailors and five sighted guide from across the country participated in the clinic held in Community Boating’s boats on the Charles River.

“It was great to have a blind match racing clinic in Boston where blind sailing began in the United States, over twenty years ago.” said Blind Sailing Unlimited, Chairman, Kris Scheppe who has organized all three clinics. “I am thrilled to see blind match racing take hold in the US, as more and more gain interest and learn from these clinics.”

“I really enjoyed the clinic and the chance to meet a new group of inspiring sailors.” said WIMRA Executive Director, Liz Baylis, who ran the on the water drills and off the water discussions. “The sailors, volunteers, and instructors made the best of unsailable conditions in Boston to do land drills to familiarize ourselves with the acoustic marks for blind match racing.”

There are several blind match racing events coming up, May 27 there will be a demonstration at Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sailing. June 10-12 will be the fourth blind match racing clinic at Sail Newport (Newport, RI). July 9-13 will be a blind match racing practice session at SEAS (Sheboygan, WI). The fifth clinic will be hosted by SEAS September 14-16 in Sheboygan, WI and will be taught by Dave Perry.

Blind Sailing Unlimited (BSU) - BSU website
WIMRA - WIMRA website
Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan (SEAS) - SEAS website
Community Boating, Inc. Boston - CBI website