Giving Back: Regatta for AQVA raises $70K for sailors with disabilities
Aug 25, 2022
On Saturday August 20, 2022, the 10th annual Regatta for AQVA (Association québécoise de voile adaptée ) supporting sailors with disabilities and hosted by the Royal St-Lawrence Yacht Club in Dorval QC, attracted boats from six yacht clubs and raised $70,000. A record 51 sailboats joining brave sailors living with mobility impairments – but free of their wheelchair – all united to participate.
Despite light winds, a regatta was held followed by dinner, prizes, dancing, and an auction. A record total was raised to fund the adapted sailing program and the event became the largest keelboat regatta in Montréal.
Now in its 10th year, the largest fundraising Regatta in Québec is organized by a team of volunteers who bring to life an event that raises funds to allow a maximum number of sailors with disabilities to enjoy the freedom and excitement of the adapted sport. Founded by members of the Royal Saint-Lawrence Yacht Club, the host club of the event, the Regatta has raised over $365,000 to date for the AQVA.
The AQVA: The AQVA and its 10 instructors allow more than 200 sailors to enjoy this adapted sport in a safe and fun environment. Too often isolated by their condition, these determined sailors reveal that they love the sense of freedom, stimulation, socialisation, belonging and pride. Nothing describes the AQVA better than the image of an empty wheelchair on a dock with an adapted sailboat in the background, sailing freely. Adapted sailing is available to anyone with a disability, of any age or ability, alone or accompanied, for fun or competition.
11th Regatta for AQVA likely Saturday August 26, 2023!
Top 3:
Keelboats:
1. David Wisenthal/Just Now
2. Robert Raven/Earendil I
3. Benoit Lesperence/Secret
Martin16 & 2.4s:
1. Erick Poirier/2.4/88
2. Pierre Richard/Martin 16/101
3. Victor Levy/Martin 16/170
