It is a sunny Tuesday afternoon, the wind is light and sailor Mark Stewart is slowly making his way toward his boat.
But Stewart — who formerly raced J24s and J29s before a life-altering accident — needs help to make it down the dock and leans against his wife Marni Gent for support.
A small sailboat, a Martin 16, bobs seemingly in anticipation of his arrival.
Stewart is still dealing with the effects of a traumatic brain injury that took nearly everything from him.
“He forgot almost everything of his former life,” explained Gent. “But the one thing he didn’t forget was how to sail.”
And thanks to the Lunenburg Yacht Club’s (LYC) Sail Able program, Stewart has been able to get back out on the water despite his injuries.
Forever a sailor
The Sail Able program, which is offered at a limited number of yacht clubs across the province, is designed to get people suffering from physical or cognitive disabilities out on the water.
Gent said that when she heard about the program starting up in Halifax a number of years ago, she thought it was perfect for Stewart. The program migrated to LYC in 2015 and Stewart has been a participant ever since.
“When it started up here, it was just great. It’s only minutes from the house and he can get out way more often. The summer before last, he was out 33 times. We’re trying to break that record,” said Gent with a smile.
But as a former competitive sailor, Stewart didn’t immediately take to the program following his accident.
“It was very different from what he had been doing,” said Gent. “But it didn’t take him long to figure out that although it may be different, it’s his step to freedom.”
During the summers, Stewart sails as often as he can.
The boat is rigged so that no matter one’s disability, they can sail. Furthermore, the Sail Able sailor is in control with the lines and tiller at their disposal.
A trained LYC instructor accompanies Stewart sailing, but he is free to go wherever he pleases. On this particular Tuesday, Stewart was accompanied by LYC instructor Noah Crouse.
“He makes the calls about where he goes and how long he stays out,” said Gent.
Making it happen
Ron Whynacht is the former director of LYC’s Sail Able program and explained it was important to make sailing as accessible as possible.
“There’s a whole area of adaptability,” he said. “The idea seemed to catch on very quickly that his would be very beneficial to this particular community.”
The idea for Sail Able came to Whynacht years ago after meeting his friend Kevin Penny, who is a quadriplegic sailor.
“He inspired me to the point of trying to start a disabled sailing program here on the South Shore,” said Whynacht.
And people are reaping the rewards of those efforts.
Over the years, dozens of people suffering from various disabilities have participated in the program. This year, eight people signed up ranging from ages nine to 65.
“I just think it’s a super wonderful thing,” said Gent. “There’s still lots of things you can do no matter how physically restricted you may be.”
And although Stewart may have forgotten much of his past life, he is still able to remember numerous details about his sailing career.
Even now, said Gent, sailing is Stewart’s happy place.
“We’re tickled pink,” she said, adding that their friend Doug Matthews had also been a major help.
More sailors
But the LYC, and other clubs, can always have more participants.
“We actually haven’t had as many people in the program as we would have liked,” noted Whynacht. “But those that are in it are crazy about it. Mark would be one of them. He would go every day if he could.”
The program is not expensive. In addition to the yacht club’s $50 membership fee, each sail costs an additional $10.
Whynacht explained that the issue might be routed in the fact that the club is in a more rural location and that it may cause transportation issues.
Gent said she has seen the positive effects Sail Able has had on her husband and wants more people to sign up.
“I really wish more people would take advantage of it because we have two boats here now and if more people get involved, there’ll be more boats coming,” she said.
And although Stewart is still suffering from his accident, he was quick to recommend the program.
“It’s great,” he said.
