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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 30, 2006 - 21 `We see through other people's eyes' Continued from page 20 "It's takes a lot of orchestration to put an event like this together and Ron and I (plus the others) are fortunate to be on the receiving end," said Berger. She had sailed prior to losing her sight 24 years ago and was pleased to learn about the BHYC's VIP Program. It's promoted throughout the blind community through such organizations as the Blind Sailing Association of Canada. "It's something I've wanted to experience," said Berger. "We see through other people's eyes. Sailing is such a tactile, physical sport, something we can see through other eyes. "We can feel the wind, the water breaking on the hull, the wind singing through the shrouds, hear the sails flapping in the wind, and we can feel the motion of the boat through the soles of our feet. We use other senses to enjoy this sport. "We can do many of the things other people do, we just do them differently ­ and we have a lot of fun," said Berger. Once all of the participants and volunteers have arrived, they set sail at about 10 a.m. The VIP program included sail- ing to Fifty Point Conservation Area in Grimsby for a barbecue lunch prepared by BHYC volunteers and a race day on a course set using sound buoys. Noel Almond, a 20-year volunteer and a BHYC member since 1972, is in charge of the floating sound buoys. He's also built Feely-Freely, a scale model of a sailboat the participants are invited to explore using their fingers. "This is a very rewarding experience. We've changed a few lives by challenging people to do what they thought was impossible, and that's what makes it so rewarding." BHYC boaters donate the use of their sailboats for this program, 10 a day, allowing two blind participants to sail with a skipper and two sighted crew on each boat. Taking the helm is only one task the participants are asked to perform, the others include tacking the sails by releasing or tightening ropes on the winches. For some of the participants, it's a week's vacation while others like to get into the technical aspects of sailing. No question about sailing is left unanswered. "If you want to learn the technical aspects of sailing, they are DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER JOY OF SAILING: Don Voss has participated in the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club's blind sailing program for 15 years, ever since he lost his sight. willing to explain things to you," said Berger. "They'll describe the physical aspects of their boat to you, and show you how to manipulate knots. I, however, am keeping it on a light level. "It's such a pleasurable outlet, both socially and physically," said Berger. The VIP Program is a dream come true for Vicki deKleer, an avid sailor who launched the program with seven blind sailors. "I'm amazed it's still going, and at all of the changes that have been made over the years. It's gone beyond anything I ever dreamed of. "When I started it, everybody was new to the program. Now it's like old home week," she said of the camaraderie. "The personalities of the people coming to us is remarkable," continued deKleer. "The people are dealing with a handicap we would find devastating. They have humour. "There's no patronizing. They can't see so it takes them a little longer to get things done, but everything we ask them to do is always within their limits," said deKleer who `retired' from the program about 15 years go. The VIP Program encourages its participants to go beyond their challenges of everyday living. "It's not just a little afternoon cruise on a sailboat," said Wendy Baillie, assistant coordinator of this year's VIP Program. The participants are given tasks and thus become part of the crew while sailing, "and quite the rapport develops between the participants and the instructors. "People take vacations to volunteer on this program." The BHYC raises funds for its VIP Program from a Turkey Roll held at Christmas. Some of the proceeds are used for its Junior Sailing School and the remainder goes to the Salvation Army. ­ Wilma Blokhuis can be reached at blokhuis@haltonsearch.com. Paving Stones, Walls, Steps & Curbs for over 30 years Mississauga North 905-672-1388 Mississauga South 905-823-4727 Markham 905-479-2201 Woodstock 519-421-2131 800-562-8490 www.permapavingstone.com Available at: AGRAM GARDEN CENTRE 905-257-3577 Oakville HARWOOD NURSERIES 905-878-1900 Oakville HAMILTON BUILDERS 905-639-3888 Burlington VAN BEEKS 905-842-5053 Mississauga Contact us for a dealer near you