Adaptive Sailing provides waterfront access and sailing education to New Yorkers living with disabilities. By providing specialized equipment, expert instruction, and years of experience, HRCS aims to make New York City a place where anyone, regardless of physical or developmental limitations, can feel safe, have fun, and be empowered on the water.
Background
HRCS has provided waterfront access to tens of thousands of New Yorkers since our founding in 2008. In 2014, we started an adaptive sailing program for veterans, in partnership with the Manhattan and Bronx VAs. In 2021, we broadened our Adaptive work to serve a wide range of New Yorkers with disabilities. Last year, HRCS served 250 adaptive sailing participants and worked with 9 partner organizations.
No prior experience needed! Learn more below about how you can get involved and on the water.
To learn more about Adaptive Sailing, please watch this video.
Sail With Us
HRCS takes pride in providing access to people with a wide range of disabilities. Our highly trained staff and adapted boats can accommodate participants with a wide range of needs. Our dock is Hoyer lift-equipped and our boats have seats which keep participants secure and supported on the water, and rigging that allows them to steer and adjust the sails. In every sail, we work with participants and their caregivers to design an experience that meets their needs and goals.
Partner Organizations
HRCS partners directly with organizations already working with populations with a range of disabilities. See our list of partners below. If you are a member of one of our partner organizations, you can ask them how you can get involved.
Family Sails & Lessons
We will design a sailing experience that meets your needs. No prior experience is necessary. You and up to three additional family, friends or caregivers will sail with a U.S. Sailing certified instructor. COMING SOON
Membership
HRCS's Adaptive Membership program lets you get out on the water all season long. Adaptive members can attend workshops and community- building events, in addition to sailing. ADAPTIVE MEMBERSHIP INFO COMING SOON
♦ DID YOU KNOW: HRCS offers free one-hour sails at our Inwood Community Days. Each Community Day will have a limited number of Adaptive spaces reserved. Advance registration is required.
Program Outcomes
1. Provide access to sailing to individuals living with disabilities and their caregivers
2. Foster inclusion and well-being in participants by creating a space where they feel safe, socialize, and have fun on the water
3. Empower participants to realize personal and recreational goals
4. Build comfort and interest in sailing
2024 Adaptive Sailing Partners
- Challenged Athletes Foundation
- Heroes on the Hudson
- Impossible Dream
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center
- Mount Sinai Hospital Spinal Cord Center
- NYC Spinal
- Wheeling Forward
- Women on Wheels (W.O.W.)
HRCS is working with US Sailing to train staff in adaptive best practices, develop and test additional adaptive equipment, and build a curriculum that adapts lesson plans and strategies to meet a wide range of participant needs.
If you are an organization working with youth or adults with physical or developmental disabilities and you are interested in partnering with HRCS, please contact us at info@hudsonsailing.org.
Are You a U.S. Military Veteran?
You may be eligible for Soldiers Under Sail, our Adaptive program in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA New York Harbor Healthcare and James J. Peters VA Medical Center. LEARN MORE
Read more about HRCS Board Member and Adaptive Sailing participant Quemuel Arroyo in the US Sailing feature Adapting to Sailing and Thriving.