Sailing along the shores of the big sea-waters of Gitchie Gummee, the boat’s smooth glide washes away all cares of the day.

With the proper equipment, sailing is a great equalizer – a universally accessible water sport for people of all levels of ability. Just ask participants in Courage Center Duluth’s adapted sailing program. From the Duluth/Superior Harbor, part of the St. Louis River estuary, Courage Center Duluth runs a sailing program for people with disabilities that attracts all levels of sailors.

Courage Center Duluth provides a variety of sports and recreational activities for people with disabilities ¬– kayaking, biking, swimming, archery, downhill skiing and dogsledding – and is part of Courage Center in Minneapolis, a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center that assists people with disabilities in living more independently.

As for its sailing component, Courage Center Duluth caters to a wide spectrum of interests, from those who have never been on a sailboat to those who enjoy some casual racing in a solo boat. For the uninitiated, looks of concern quickly fade away as the sway of the boat and the camaraderie of fellow sailors are enjoyably calming. Shane Lueck, a young man with cerebral palsy who went sailing with some apprehension, fast settled knowing that an experienced and trained sailor was in charge of the sailboat. After some basic instructions, he began his tutelage in the art of sailing. A simple adaptation adds a line to the tiller, allowing Shane to pull in or to slacken the line to control the direction of the boat. Sarah Seethoff, 21, is handed the sheet, the control line of the mainsail, which allows her to control the set of the sail. And off the boat sails, with the instructor at hand to provide instruction and any needed assistance!

Beginners participate in a group sail on a Soling, a 27-foot light displacement keelboat. This is an Olympic-class racing sailboat yet is very stable. The Soling has a large center cockpit that allows for safe, dry sailing. Two seats have been adapted in the cockpit to provide comfortable and secure seating.

Sailing solo is also a possibility for people with disabilities to pursue. The Courage Center Duluth program uses a Norlin 2.4 keelboat (www.us24meter.org). This boat is only 13 feet long and weighs 550 pounds, so it is as agile and responsive as a sailing dinghy. But with 400 pounds of lead in the keel under the sailor, it is very stable and requires no leaning past the side of the boat as movable ballast. The sailor sits down inside the cockpit with only his or her head sticking out. All controls are in front of the sailor within easy reach, including hand steering.

The difficulty of getting into and out of the small sailboats from the dock is always overcome. Some are able to maneuver in and out without assistance. Others may need a helping hand, and still others utilize the assistance of the dock’s manual hydraulic lift. Once in the sailboat, the fun begins!

Scott Anderson, a 45-year-old paraplegic (T5 & 6), has been with the program for more than 20 years. Scott loves the freedom of sailing with no motors – sailing with only the wind. The mental aspect of the sport, not just the physical activity, is an important element for him. “Do you tack now or do you wait?” he debates. “What is the wind doing?” he observes, constantly assessing and reassessing many factors and conditions.

Sam Tabaka, 27, hails from a sailing family. The Courage Center Duluth sailing program has enabled him to return to a sport he enjoyed before his spinal cord injury (T10). He encourages others to come out and sail on their own. Favoring the independence he has in controlling and maneuvering the sailboat, Sam also enjoys sailing in company with others. There is an old sailor adage – two or more boats close together, and the race is on!

Eric Larson, a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and program coordinator of Courage Center Duluth, looks to the technical assistance and financial support from the community to ensure the success of his program. With safety top of mind, certified sailing instructors, regularly-inspected equipment, and a safety boat (small motorboat) are all part of the program, facilitated by qualified volunteers. “Partnering organizations Duluth Superior Sailing Association (www.sailingforall.org) and the Duluth Boat Club (www.duluthboatclub.org) are valuable resources,” he acknowledges. “It’s truly remarkable that a formula including financial assistance from the community, a good amount of creativity on the parts of many and committed volunteer support has resulted in such a win for the Northland,” he enthuses. The effort does not go for not. Just ask the sailors.