PPSC is proud to welcome Dan Keen as a maintenance and development consultant.  Dan has a degree in Naval Architecture from the New York Maritime College, and is a talented boat designer and builder.  We have been utilizing his strengths to help outline a plan for improving our fleet.  In addition, he has been engineering a new revolution of adaptive sailing equipment.

“Sea Witch” Restored

Recognize the boat in the photo? Probably not… Introducing the fully restored boat #1 “Sea Witch”.  Launching in the Spring of 2010!  Thank You Dan!

2009 was a landmark season at Piers Park Sailing Center.  After a year of research, planning and execution PPSC unveiled its’ newest piece of Adaptive Equipment.

Through work in collaboration with an anonymous donor and the DCR, PPSC is now one of the very few venues in the country offering Sip & Puff technology.
The system is used at PPSC by quadriplegic sailors who can only move their head, eyes and mouth.   This state of the art technology is ideal for people who have limited or no motor capability.  It enables them to be in command of a sailboat, via a Sip & Puff or medical joystick interface.  This is an important victory for sailors at PPSC and further proves that disabled people can accomplish anything, given the right tools.

In the words of one sailor using this system, “If you multiply that sense of freedom a thousand times, that’s how I feel. I leave behind my wheelchair, a team of cares and suddenly it’s just me.”

PPSC Youth Development programs are growing in popularity annually and we are dedicated to ensuring that we serve as many young people in need as possible.

Application Forms for the Youth Development programs of Harbor Explorers (ages 7-10) and Summer Sailing (ages 10-18) can be downloaded here.

Please read information on the application form carefully.

Please note, due to limited capacity, not all applicants can be accepted to a program.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this evening to benefit Piers Park Sailing Center’s Youth Development and Adaptive Programs.

Piers Park Sailing Center is celebrating another successful season of Outreach, Empowerment and Adventure. Funds from the Smooth Sailing event support the programs that embody PPSC’s dynamic mission.