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Monday, May 15, 2017

Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation, Chicago Programs for People with Disabilities

In Chicago one of the wonderful programs for people with disabilities is the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Program (JGASP).

The Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Program includes classroom and on-water instruction for the physically disabled. JGASP is a public/private partnership with the Chicago Park District whereby the Foundation raises funds for instructor salaries, boats and maintenance costs while the Park District operates the Program on a day-to-day basis. The fleet consists of eight Freedom 20's, eight Sonars and four 2.4 meter sailboats. The Freedom 20's were built specifically for disabled sailors and have many safety features that make this boat the premier boat of choice for a disabled sailing program. The Sonar and the 2.4 meter boats are for more advanced racing sailors and are used in world disabled championships, such as the Paralympics. All boats are very stable and will not capsize.

While we want to serve all people who are mobility or visually impaired, participation in the i
nstructional program requires:
  • A desire to attain sailing skills
  • An ability to float calmly in the water for five minutes while wearing a personal flotation device (life jacket)

For reservations and more information, contact at:
Judd Goldman Sailing Center
Burnham Harbor (one block West of Planetarium)
1362 S. Linn White Drive
Chicago, IL 60605-2470
Directions/Map
Seasonal phone number: (312) 747-7684
Or email us at jgasf@juddgoldmansailing.org
Website: http://www.juddgoldmansailing.org/adaptive_sailing.html

Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation - 2015 Video

YouTube published by Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation

About The Foundation
Justin "Judd" Goldman (photo) was seventeen years old when he suffered a disabling bone disease. After realizing that there were few sports that he could participate in, he discovered sailing. During the next fifty-eight years he competed successfully in many races throughout the world, including over twenty-five Chicago-Mackinac Races, a 333-mile challenge from Chicago to Mackinac Island, Michigan. He founded an Olympic one-design class of sailboats in Chicago, the Dragon class. In 1989, at the age of seventy-five, Judd passed away at a Naples, Florida boatyard.

In 1990, Judd's wife, Sliv, son Peter and daughter Judy established the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation (JGASF) as a public/private partnership with the Chicago Park District. Today, the adaptive sailing program consists of eight Freedom Independence 20's, eight Sonars, and four 2.4 meter sailboats. Over one thousand participants experience the joy and independence of sailing each year.

In 1992 the JGASF, in partnership with Chicago Yacht Club, founded the North American Challenge Cup (NACC) for sailors with disabilities. The NACC continues to be a major disabled sailing event today. The NACC and the JGASF are proud to have been chosen by US Sailing for twelve years as the host to the national sailing championship for disabled sailors, the Independence Cup (renamed the US Disabled Sailing Championship). During the twelve years the combined event was known as the Independence Cup/North American Challenge Cup.

In 2001, the Foundation embarked on a pilot program with the Chicago Park District designed to teach sailing to Chicago inner-city youth. Ten 7'7" Vanguard Pram sailboats were purchased for use at the beautifully renovated, city water-fed lagoons. Offering an unequaled environment and an extremely rare experience for a big city recreational program, this unique approach brings the program to the neighborhood rather than the neighborhood to the program. The goal for this inner-city youth program is identical to our current mission...helping people to achieve self-esteem and independence.

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