Often time an injury, either of temporary or permanent measure, will interfere with some of the things one likes to do in life. More often than not, one just has to look around to realize that opportunities abound everywhere to have fun and enjoy life.

Why not?
Experience the freedom of sailing - the sound of the wind in your ears, rush of the water against your hulls. Feel the independance and leave the physical restrictions behind, as they don't exist anymore.

"Since my accident sailing was a very distant thought and only provided me with many great memories as I was lying in my bed at the hospital. Being on the water again was one of the most exciting things that has happened to me since my accident."
Danny McCoy, D.S.A. sailor

Here is how it works:
The TrapSeat is a slinged seat designed specifically for stability for the physically challenged skipper. A Hobie Catamaran 16 is rigged with this special winged attachment.

The ‘Trapseats’ bolt onto each side of the Hobie 16 easily and are comfortable for everyday cruising. And even people with the most challenging disabilities can sail a Trapseat Hobie 16 with ease and on equal terms to those without disabilities.

Then the sailing team consists of a physically challenged skipper who steers the boat with the tiller while determining sailing tactics and an able-bodied crew who mans the sheets (the ropes) of the main sail and jib.

Available Options for Trapseat Sailing are:

• the trapseat itself
• Sport Tiller Adaptions - for those that have reduced hand strength. There are two types, for elbow grasping and hand grasping,
• Trapseat chest harness - designed for those who need a little more trunk support or extra leverage. The chest harness has a strap that hooks to each side of the Trapseat and one strap with a quick release buckle that goes around the sailor.

Things to think of to make your life easier:

• An easy way to right the boat if you capsize: a solo righting system is a good thought, as the crew would need to solo right themselves.
• An easy way to hoist or lower the mast: a winch system is ideal, and such things exist with electric winches.

Cruising capabilities:

• Addition of oarlocks
• Reefing mainsail to be able to reduce sail area when needed
• Furling jibs (eliminate the battens and add a furling unit)
• Motor mount to add a small motor, ideal for getting in and out of a dock.

And then there is a spinnaker!
Mike Strahle invented the Trapseats and Trapseat spinnaker system.
(Trapseat Class International Representative & Technical Advisor)

The Trapseat Spinnaker is a symmetrical sail not asymmetrical like most cats spin’s. Due to the nature of the hull shape on the Hobie 16 (banana shape and low bow volume), a different approach must be taken from the traditional assymetrical spinnakers we see on performance catamarans.

An additional option that has been applied by trapseat sailors is a square topped mainsail.

These kinds of options enable the team to add even more oomph to their performance catamaran.

Want to get involved?
The Disabled Sailing Association, Okanagan Branch (Kelowna) has a training program on dinghies, the boat used is a Martin 16. A certified Canadian Yachting Association instructor that will provides sailing instructions, dealing with two boats only at a time. The boats are equipped with two-way radios in case assistance is needed out on the water.
Reference: Disabled Sailing Association, Okanagan Branch
or E-mail the DSA at dsakel@silk.net.

Also, an ideal contact is the International Trapseat Class Coordinator & U.S. Representative, Miles Moore. You can reach him by phone at 208-883-7941 or by E-mail at info@sail-s.com .

Into Racing?
The Hobie 16 trapseat has a conditional Portsmouth number, as provided by US Sailing Portsmouth Committee. It is a conditional number at the moment, as it is in brackets (brackets [ ] indicate 1-4 data points). As more data is submitted, these brackets will be removed.
Hobie 16 Trapseat Portsmouth Number
INTERNATIONAL TRAPSEAT CLASS ASSOCIATION Trapseat Racing Rules

Reference Websites
http://physicaltherapy.about.com
Official International Trapseat Class Assoc
International Foundation for Disabled Sailing
Self Awareness in Leasure - Accessible Sailing, Cycling, XC Skiing.
Disabled Sailing Association of Kelowna

Hobie 16 Trapseat sailing TrapSeat Hobie Cat 16, Central Okanagan Sailing Association, Canadian Championships July 29-30,2000, Kelowna, BC, Canada

Sailing Friends,
There is a proposal to hold the first ever World Trapseat Championships in 2002. The event was originally planned to be held in Mexico, but for various reasons it was decided in the past few days to move it to Canada.

As many of you know, a trapseat regatta uses Hobie 16s fitted with racks called trapseats fitted on either side of the boat, which enable sailors with disabilities to sail these catamarans. The trapseat rules specify a disabled skipper and the crew may be either able bodied or disabled. We have had some very successful regattas with this equipment over the past few years and are anxious to take it worldwide.

The organizing group, consisting of Canadian and American members, proposes to hold the 2002 World Trapseat Championships the last week of July 2002, in Kelowna, British Columbia, in western Canada. We anticipate a good supply of available equipment (Hobie 16s and trapseats) and hope to take the opportunity to provide training and coaching for the sailors that attend

In order to take this proposal forward we need to know how many countries are interested in sending sailors to this championship. We need entries from at least 2 continents and from at least 6 countries. We feel we already have this commitment, but would prefer to see more participation.

I would appreciate it if you could indicate to me immediately your preliminary interest in attending this event, and if you could provide any further information on the number of sailors from your area who might want to attend.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Kathy Campbell
Disabled Sailing, Canadian Yachting Association
Tel/Fax: (604) 732-6071
E-mail: kcampbel@interchange.ubc.ca