Adapted sail | “Bye bye, wheelchair”

“I’ve been doing this for 27 years, but there are times when I still cry when I see someone from the quay for the first time, turn around and say: Bye Bye, wheelchair. Meanwhile, »»

The one who speaks is Paula Stone. Similarly, Since 1998, she has been a volunteer at the Quebec ADVIRTIE Sailing Association (AQVA), of which she is today the vice-president.

It is likely that you ignore what the AQVA is. Moreover, It is a bit to make it known that we talk about it today. Moreover, And because in a few adapted sail | “bye bye, weeks. Meanwhile, from August 25 to 29, the 2025 Mobility Cup will take place, an international regatta which features athletes with disabilities; It was only the fourth time in 25 years that the event has been held in Montreal.

Whether they are paraplegic. Therefore, quadriplegic or live with any other limitation, the sailors of the AQVA can use the suitable sailboats made available to them at the Pointe-Claire Yacht Club. Therefore, Here. Consequently, M^me Stone would correct us, the finger in the air: “It is not a suitable sailboat, it is a sailboat which is designed for people with reduced mobility. Meanwhile, »»

During our visit to Pointe-Claire, by a hot Tuesday in July, a Quebecer who will take part in the mobility cup is present: Monique Trudel, a Montrealer suffering from multiple sclerosis. Therefore, She had her diagnosis at the age of 18. For example, but her limitations began to appear around the age of 40, during a skating session.

The limitations of M^me Trudel. Therefore, who describes himself as a great sportswoman, have gradually appeared; In his case, the disease has mainly attacked his legs. Consequently, As soon as she started moving in a wheelchair, mid-Quaranty, she tried suitable skiing and suitable sail.

M^me Trudel had never made a sail before lending himself to the compulsory assessment with Paula Stone during his first course. Moreover, many years ago. Similarly, Today. she is a regular; She makes a suitable sail once a week and participates in several competitions, including the mobility cup, which she won in the silver fleet in Kelowna, in 2017.

Sport, she says, strength to “continue to concentrate, to continue to learn”. It saves him from “to think of [son] Go to the doctor ”. “You are really in the present moment,” she describes.

Adapted sail | &quot. bye bye, – Adapted sail | "bye bye,

The sailor’s smile – Adapted sail | "bye bye,

Boats that are used for suitable sail are designed so that the sailor does not need to move. This adapted sail | “bye bye, one is sitting in the bottom of the boat, which means that “it’s very stable”, explains Paula Stone. Once installed – a process that takes a while. we will come back to it – the sailor no longer needs to move; All controls are at hand.

“We control the steering with a bar between the legs. There are two sails, and the strings to control them are just above this bar, so we don’t need legs. I even adapted sail | “bye bye, had competitions with amputees that leave their legs on the platform and go sailing! »»

There is also a “motorized system” allowing people who have weaknesses in the. arms to control the sailboat using an object similar to a joystick. For quadriplegic people. there is also a breath system; Two straws are mounted on a flexible tube positioned in front of the sailor. One straw allows you to control the direction, the other to control the sails. “I would say that 10 % of our sailors use it,” says Mr.^me Stone.

During our visit, we followed Monique Trudel during an exit on the water. To install it in his boat, two instructors are necessary. These use a mechanical lift. A canvas hanging with belts has passed under it to lift it and lead it to the boat.

One of the instructors settles behind M^me Trudel for concern for safety. The fact remains that the sailor is entirely free. It is she who controls. It had to be seen. when its sailboat leaned considerably from one edge or the other; It was there that she displayed her biggest smile.

Adapted sail | "bye bye,

Mobility cut

We were talking above the mobility cut. The event. which is not open to the general public, will take place at the Pointe-Claire Yacht Club, where the AQVA offices are located. Of the 32 participants, between 12 and 15 are from Quebec. The rest comes from all over Canada and the United States (Hawaii, California, Seattle, Vermont, etc.).

There are two categories: the gold fleet and the silver fleet. The first is reserved for experienced sailors, but the second is open to everyone. It is for this reason, notes Paula Stone, that the mobility cut is nicknamed “the regatta of possibilities”.

“Someone who has never made a sail of her life can participate in a mobility cup. ” said the one who is also president of the event organizing committee.

Even today, even 27 years later, M^me Stone, career occupational therapist, withdraws great happiness from his role.

“To see the smiles on their face when they come back … that brings me a lot. »»