RISE Sailing is for members of all ages. We have scheduled sailing activities at Lake Lewisville. For more info about the specific dates and times, please visit the RISE Programs Calendar. To sign up contact Joel Hendrix, jhendrix@riseadventures.org or by phone at 469.762.5075.

To discuss venues and resources please contact Kerry Morris, our new sailing director, kmorris@riseadventures.org or by phone at (817) 456-3145

The USA Sailing Team sent this video to RISE Adventures that was on "youtube."

US Disabled Sailing Team

We are working together on acquiring these boats for our Spring 2008 Program.

All RISE Programs are structured in the same format.

The RISE Sailing Program is outlined below:

EVENT- A major outing to introduce the specific program- "Sailing in Style", great kick off, held on June 24th, 2007.

ACTIVITY- Beginning July 8th members are able to register for free sailing aboard our J24's sponsored by Sail Dallas. This activity is to familiarize the member in one on one sailing. There will be a certified instructor on board who will give an orientation of sailing. These boats are not totally accessible but we are working directly with the U.S. Disabled Sailing Team in adapting them. They suggested we start our program and learn from experiences. This will help us define what it will take to make each sailor comfortable and able to actually sail the boat. They claim there should be very little adaptation for these specific boats. We do not have a transfer lift yet but have it budgeted for spring, 2008. We do have qualified volunteers for accessing the boats.

TRAINING- If this is something you feel like you would like to become experienced in, after participating in the activity, we will train you to sail and schedule classes and all training to the level of expertise you desire.

CLINICS- If you are not sure you can sail but would like to see what is involved we will be scheduling clinics starting in Spring of 2008.

To sign up for RISE Sailing please contact Joel Hendrix at 469.762.5075. He can work with you on scheduling your sail and answer any questions you might have. This RISE Sailing Program is FREE to all members. TEAM RISE membership is also FREE and you can join by signing up on our website.

For information on Accessible Boating Facilities please click on the link to the National Accessibility Center.

"Donnell & Alex Go Sailing"

On Sunday, July 29th, Donnell Persley and Alex Barkheimer went sailing. Donnell was paralyzed by a gun shot a couple of years ago and Alex is a cute young girl with Spina Bifida. Alex was accompanied by her father. Again, the wind did not cooperate. Everyone had a good time and Donnell will continue with the sailing program. Alex had a bad experience when she was younger and is a little apprehensive about boats. She loved the Sailing in Style event because of the size of the boat. We will continue to work with her on getting her comfortable with the water and smaller boats.

"Aaron Goes Sailing"

On Sunday, July 22nd, Aaron Nowland went sailing. In 2004 he became paralyzed by an IAD while serving as a Captain in a Special Forces Unit in Iraq. Aaron was accompanied by his wife Liz and their son Shelby. The wind didn't cooperate but we had a great outing just getting out. Aaron will continue in the RISE Sailing program on a monthly basis.

"Henrik Goes Sailing"

On Sunday, July 8th, Henrik Kool, a local fourth grader with spina bifida, joined us on one of the four J24 sail boats we use in the RISE Sailing Program. He was joined by his father Henk and TEAM RISE volunteers. This was the final test to check accessibility issues of the boats. The US Disabled Sailing Team advised us that there was little, if any, modifications for accessibility. We were fortunate to have a very steady wind. Henrik is really Kool, excuse the pun, and will become a great sailor by the end of the year. His willingess to learn as well as his physical ability were both valuable assets. After a few short instructions he was actually sailing the boat with supervision from Tod Roberson, a TEAM RISE Volunteer sailing instructor. The small cabins on the boats allow privacy to cath. The day went extremely well and we are now up and sailing every other weekend through the rest of the year. Please access the website to sign up and join the RISE Sailing Program.

To view more photos of Henrik's cool adventures, please visit "Henrik Goes Sailing".

Meet Jackie Bartels, Ms. Wheelchair Texas 2007. Jackie is the newest member of the TEAM RISE staff. She is our new Marketing Director and RISE spokesperson. On the left picture she is being safely transferred off the boat using the boom and a boson chair. On the right, Jackie is using the same boom to off load from a ski boat to the sailboat. Both boats were out on open water. To learn more about Jackie please click on the Ms. Wheelchair Texas 2007 tab.


Sail Dallas has four J24's that we are working together on adapting for our RISE Sailing Program. RISE has created a committee of experienced disabled and able body sailors to advance this program. These are very nice sailboats. On the right is Jackie posing on the boat. Nice picture...


Meet Captain Matt Meadows of Sail Dallas. Matt is collaborating with RISE Adventures in an effort to establish the RISE Sailing Program. Matt is a dedicated sailor with a lot of experience and a huge heart. To the left is a picture of his Hinkley 41. On the right is Matt.

RISE Sailing has formed a joint venture with Magellan Sailing Center on Lewisville Lake in Lewisville, Texas. RISE is offering a sailing excursion for physically challenged persons and their families who desire to know more about this exciting activity. One time is all it takes to enjoy sailing for the rest of your life. There is no charge for this activity. If this activity is something you would like to learn more about then RISE will send you to classes to learn the art of sailing. All sailboats will be adapted for your disability and comfort.

For the avid sailors RISE is now planning regatta's on various lakes throughout the state. RISE will also be holding clinics at various locations so you can see how disabled sailors use their adaptive equipment in this adventurous sport.

Space is limited so please contact Joel Hendrix at jhendrix@riseadventures.org or (214)927-4982.

RISE has received written permission to attach the following link www.sailing.org/disabled. Please access this link to learn more about sailing for the physically challenged.