On Saturday, August 20, 2022, the 10th annual Regatta for the AQVA (Association québécoise de voile adaptée), supporting sailors with disabilities, was hosted by the Royal St-Lawrence Yacht Club in Dorval to raise $70,000.
PHOTO: AQVA
A record 51 sailboats from 6 yacht clubs, joined by brave sailors living with mobility impairments - but free of their wheelchairs –were all united to participate in the 10th annual Regatta for AQVA.
Despite light winds, a regatta was held followed by dinner, prizes, dancing, and an auction. A record $70,000 was raised to fund the adapted sailing program, and the event became the largest keelboat regatta in Montréal!
PHOTO: AQVA
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.
PHOTO: AQVA
The AQVA and its ten 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, socialization, 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.
The 11th Regatta for AQVA is likely scheduled for Saturday, August 26, 2023!
SOURCE: AQVA (Association québécoise de voile adaptée)
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