The format is very straight forward and can be replicated if certain conditions are meet. Each student is taken aboard a catamaran and held or supported by a counselor, as required, for the approximately 20 minute sail on the quiet waters of Hempstead Harbor. The students ride their motorized wheelchairs over a concrete walkway which leads right down to the water's edge. The children on line share many things in common and on this day a smiling face is one of them. The child and the counselor are required to wear a life vest which is on loan from the county. The "onboard" school staff member attends to the students needs while the student sailor is onboard. Additional school staff members deal with getting the child on and off the catamaran. Life guards help out by holding the boats in the shallows and keeping the line moving. The catamaran sailor volunteers do the rest, doing a great job providing the students with an exciting and unique adventure. The children are encouraged to help pull in the sheets and can be seen smiling from ear to ear. Some just drag their hands in the magic water. County life guards are ready for any emergencies. In addition, several small power boats "patrol" the area just in case of any problems. We have not had an incident in 25 years and we look forward to another 25 years of safe, fun sailing for the boys and girls.
Day sailing catamarans were selected for taking physically challenged children sailing because of their great stability in light breezes, ease of placing the students on the sofa like trampoline, and their shallow draft beach launching capabilities. Originally, the boats were all 16 foot Hobie Cats but now a wide variety of catamarans support this great event, including Hobie 17's, Nacra 5.7s, 6.0s, 5.0s, 5.5Sls, and even a Tornado.
Many active participants have come and gone. Many of the first volunteers were from Hobie Fleet 109. Joe Seluga, a founder of Fleet 143, sailed his Hobie 16 here in 1976 and has participated most times since on various boats. Several of the Maloney family from Breezy Point were very regular. Lubo Tomic, from Port Washington's Fleet 109, has been a recent regular. Warren Darress, founder of Hobie Fleet 109 in 1974, now assigned to beach duty, has attended since 1980. Milton Dinhoffer, formerly of Roslyn and a former member of Fleet 109, has been the active Day In the Sun coordinator and recruiter for all of the volunteer catamarans and skippers. Milton is now very active in The Long Island Catamaran Sailors' Association, the organization that has been passed the torch to continue this great annual activity.
This year's Day In the Sun, held on Wednesday, August 4th, 1999 at Hempstead Harbor Beach, Nassau County, Long Island, New York, provided a sailing opportunity for almost 60 children from the Henri Viscardi School. There were 10 catamarans available with over 20 volunteer sailors. This was twice as many boats as last year. Milton Dinhoffer, LICSA coordinator of the Day In the Sun commented that this was the best year ever for volunteers. Good work Milton!
As soon as the busses arrived the kids were on their way down the ramp and on to the boats. The winds for the first group of children were less than cooperative but as the day continued the breeze filled in providing plenty of fun for the boys and girls. As always, Nassau County and the staff at Hempstead Harbor Beach provided the additional personnel and equipment needed to run the event. Nassau County's commitment to the children and the event is greatly appreciated and serves as a model for other communities. Thank you for all that you do. Special thanks to all of the sailors who participated. Without you it just would not happen.
We hope that the boys and girls had a fun day and we look forward to next year. Let's push for 15 or more boats to give the kids an even longer ride. If you are interested in participating in the Day In the Sun contact: Milton Dinhoffer.