Outreach & Adaptive Sailing
Park City Sailing conducts both adaptive and therapeutic sailing programs from May to October. Our programs are managed by Scott VerMerris who holds US Sailing Adaptive, Level 1 Keel Boat and Level 1 Dinghy certification as well as USCG Master license.
Scott VerMerris - scott.vermerris@parkcitysailing.org
Over the last 6 seasons our team has conducted more than 160 Adaptive and Therapeutic sailing days with over 2,000 participants. Our fleet of J22 and Rhodes 19 sailboats can be adapted to meet the physical requirements of the participants.
All our programs take place on the Jordanelle Reservoir outside of Park City, Utah. This body of water sits at 6200 above sea level and is surrounded by immense natural beauty. It is an ideal place to connect with nature and to clear one’s mind of the distractions that effect many of our participants.
In 2017, our program received US Sailing's Outstanding Adaptive Programming Award.
ADAPTIVE SAILING
In the Adaptive program, we can accommodate sailors with disabilities including visual impairment, amputation, cognition, autism, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment among others. Our staff works closely with the group facilitator or directly with every participant to clearly understand not only the goal of the day, but also what needs to be accommodated and how to adapt the boat. With that information, we build a program to meet or exceed the set goals.
OUT REACH & THERAPEUTIC SAILING
In the Therapeutic program, we use sailing as a vehicle to provide recreational therapy to accomplish a set of intended goals. Park City Sailing is an innovator in the utilization of mindfulness as a component of the experience. Participants have included veterans with PTSD and TBI, alcohol and opiate addiction, children and families supporting a family member with chronic illness, anxiety / OCD and more. In the same way we design each adaptive program, we discuss the uniqueness of each group or individual. With that information, we customize each day to provide a positive experience.
Please fill out the form below to connect with us about OutReach opportunities