Able Sail Toronto

Thank you Uri Saks for your support of Able Sail Toronto, and especially your friendship. You are a star!
Yuri is a National Yacht Club member and a competitive Melges sailor.

Happy Canada Day everyone from all of us at Able Sail Toronto! Wishing everyone a joyful and memorable Canada Day!

Meet our staff - Harrison!
Harrison has sailed his whole life from Laser’s competitively to RS Feva and 420’s as well as in the Corsaire class. Here he is steering by his foot! We're thrilled to have had Harrison join us at Able Sail Toronto!

Special delivery today - Able Sail Toronto's new Great Lakes Sentry 460 with a 40HP Suzuki motor - our new safety boat!

Meet our staff - Stefan!
Stefan's Sailing Level is CANSail 1-3, Race Team (CANSail 4-6 equivalent) from Sail Canada. Stefan instructed CANSail1/2, iCANSail, and taught adults CANSail3/4 in 2022 and 2023. We're thrilled to have had Stefan join us at Able Sail Toronto!

Able Sail Toronto is registered in the Great Canadian Giving Challenge!
For every $10 donation you make to Able Sail Toronto via CanadaHelps.org in the month of June, you get one entry to win incredible adventure-themed prizes.
For every donation Able Sail Toronto gets an entry to win a prize of $10,000 - Canada Helps will be awarding two prizes of $10,000.
The prize draw will happen the first week of July and winners will be contacted by email.

How To Enter & Make An Impact in the Great Canadian Giving Challenge

1 Go to the website CanadaHelps.org and search for 'ABLE SAIL TORONTO'

2 On "Canada Helps" make a donation to Able Sail Toronto of $10 or more; you will get a tax receipt immediately. For every $10+ donation this gives you an entry to win one of over 40 great adventure-themed prizes!

3 Get a bonus entry - Spread the love by adding an eCard to your donation addressed to someone you care about.
Once you’ve selected a charity, you can add a dedication and choose the eCard option, or select your eCard first from the many available designs.

There are 40 prizes available to be won:

10 gift cards to redtag.ca valued at $500 each.
10 Discovery Passes from Parks Canada valued at $75.25 each.
20 Charity Gift Cards from CanadaHelps CanaDon in the value of $25 CAD each to be used as a donation to the recipient’s choice of Canadian charity on CanadaHelps.org.
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/able-sail-toronto/

Daniel Melo, President of Melocraft Inflatable Boats, he has two locations, Mississauga and Penetanguishene. Daniel Melo designed our new safety boat!

Tyler, of the Canadian Navy enjoyed a sail with

Celebrating our Volunteers!
To show our gratitude for all your dedication and hard work, BE THE WATER is offering a complementary ALL-IN-ONE drink bottle to our volunteers.
Ivo, from "Be The Water" was presenting the complementary BE-THE-WATER bottle at SEASON OPENER. Thank you Ivo!
This is an all-in-one bottle, so that you will stay refreshed with this must-have hydro flask water bottle! The complete package includes a carrying pouch, three lids, two straws, and a cleaning brush, giving you everything you need to keep your bottle safe and well maintained.
BE THE WATER sports bottle features double-walled vacuum insulation to ensure your drinks stay at the optimum temperature whether hot or cold.
Many details have gone into this bottle:
32 ounce wide mouth bottle manufactured with 18/8 professional grade stainless steel (the grade 18-8 indicates its composition, i.e. chromium 18% and nickel 8%. This is the best choice for human consumption and offers good resistance to corrosion).
24 hours hot or 48 hours cold.
No flavour transfer.
100% BPA free.
Non-toxic.
100% leak proof.
3 lids are provided that can be interchanged seamlessly for multiple purposes.
Comes with a great looking pouch for extra protection with an adjustable strap.
Small keys pocket for smaller keys; you can hook keys to the lid.
Comes with 2 straws and a cleaning brush.
BETHEWATER.ca

The peacefulness before the day started.

Our friends from Burlington Able Sail joined in on the festivities!

Bill Porter, President of Suzuki Canada went sailing with Tracy Schmidt in Martin16 Silver Lining, this boat is dedicated to Judi Figgures.

Able Sail Toronto's 2024 Season Launch was held Sunday, June 2nd, 2024, we had about 100 people attend to see our new safety boat, the new graphics on the 4 Martin16's, the accessible docks, transfer lifts, specialized seating, new slings and our two windlasses. It was a wonderful day, here are some pictures from yesterday.

National AccessAbility Week 2024 celebrates the valuable contributions and leadership of persons with disabilities in Canada, the work of allies, organizations and communities that are removing barriers and ongoing efforts to become a more accessible and disability inclusive Canada. This year, the theme for National AccessAbility Week is "Forward Together: Accessibility and Inclusion for All," emphasizing the need for collective efforts to create a barrier-free Canada.

Able Sail Toronto awarded House of Commons Canada Community Leadership Award
On April 30, 2024 Able Sail Toronto founders Jacqueline Czernecki and Karen-Ann Xavier received Community Leadership Awards from Member of parliament for the Federal Electoral District of Spadina-Fort York, Kevin Vuong.
The awards states:
In recognition of your outstanding dedication, unwavering commitment to the community, and exemplary leadership. Your tireless efforts are an inspiration to others and have contributed to the betterment of our city and country. Your acts of service have made a profound impact on the lives of those around you.
Jacqueline said: “This award is really for everyone who helped to make Able Sail Toronto possible.”
On Sunday June 2, Able Sail Toronto will be having its Season Opener. All are invited to join the celebration!

OUR 2024 STAFF
Able Sail Toronto would like to welcome Vani Kumar.
From Vani: "Hi! I'm Vani and I am a high school student with an interest in healthcare. I have volunteered with Able Sail Toronto during the Mobility Cup 2023, and have experience volunteering with other organizations such as Girl Guides of Canada, the River-wood Conservancy and Greenpeace Canada. Through sports, I have discovered a beautiful avenue for learning and growth and wish to bring the same passion to others. Excited for this sailing season!"
Welcome Vani!

OUR 2024 STAFF
Able Sail Toronto would like to welcome Harrison Lewis.
From Harrison: "I have just concluded my degree in Political Science at York University where I graduated with a Specialized Honours BA and pursued athletics in the OUA through York University’s Rugby program. I have sailed my whole life from Laser’s competitively to RS Feva and 420’s as well as in the Corsaire class. I am excited to teach you the ropes of this wonderful sport and blissful experience for you to enjoy your time on the water!"
Welcome Harrison!

OUR 2024 STAFF
Able Sail Toronto would like to welcome Stefan Chin. Stefan has CANSail 3/4 Coaching Certification (which includes 1/2) from Ontario Sailing; Coach Boat Safety Certification from Ontario Sailing, Bronze Cross/Bronze Medallion/Bronze Star Certification from the Lifesaving Society of Canada; Emergency and Standard First Aid Certification from the Canadian Red Cross.
His Sailing Level is CANSail 1-3, Race Team (CANSail 4-6 equivalent) from Sail Canada. Stefan instructed CANSail1/2, iCANSail, and taught adults CANSail3/4 in 2022 and 2023.
Welcome Stefan!

OUR 2024 STAFF
Able Sail Toronto would like to welcome back Armin Afshar Naderi for his 2nd year. He is a second-year student at McMaster University and is enrolled in the nursing (BScN) program. Armin loves sailing and the feeling of freedom that it brings and wants to share that feeling with others. He also loves music and playing the drums.
Welcome Armin!

OUR 2024 STAFF
Able Sail Toronto would like to welcome back Ilya Plashnitsa for his 2nd year. Ilya is in computer engineering at McMaster University. An outstanding student, he has participated in clubs, several math and computer science competitions.
Welcome Ilya!

OUR 2024 STAFF
Able Sail Toronto would like to welcome back Sam Jennings for his 4th year. Sam is an engineering student at McMaster University and is interested in the adaptation of existing technologies to open up opportunities and experiences to everyone.
Welcome Sam!

National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society's greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world. It takes place every April during Global Volunteer Month. It’s !
This week the theme is "Every Moment Matters"; April 14th to 20th, 2024, we recognize every volunteer and celebrate each contribution you've made and are making when we need your support more than ever, thank you for making the sport and recreation of sailing accessible to those that otherwise wouldn’t be able to sail!

Thank you CO Paul Smith, for your tremendous support you provided us when we hosted Mobility Cup 2023. CO Paul Smith is being presented a thank you award designed by Indigenous artist Gordon Fiddler.
It was a great honor to have a tour of HMCS York, and a privilege to be presented with the Bravo Zulu coin.

Able Sail Toronto membership for 2024 has been open since January 1st, book your membership today! Sails bookings open March 1st, in 9 days!

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by Earthday.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. The official theme for 2024 is "Planet vs. Plastics".
FOR EARTH DAY 2024 ON APRIL 22ND, EARTHDAY.ORG IS UNWAVERING IN OUR COMMITMENT TO END PLASTICS FOR THE SAKE OF HUMAN AND PLANETARY HEALTH, DEMANDING A 60% REDUCTION IN THE PRODUCTION OF ALL PLASTICS BY 2040.

February is Black History Month

Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities.
The 2024 theme for Black History Month is: “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build”. This theme celebrates the rich past and present contributions and accomplishments of Black people in Canada, while aspiring to embrace new opportunities for the future.
The theme aligns with the 10th year of the International Decade for People of African Descent and recognizes that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected.
No matter where you live, we invite all Canadians to learn more about Black Canadian communities, and how they continue to help shape Canada.

Ethelbert 'Curley' Christian

After suffering injuries in the Battle of Vimy Ridge that left him a quadruple amputee, ‘Curley’ Christian helped establish a program for disabled Veterans which is still offered today.
Christian survived but unfortunately, due to gangrene, both arms and both legs had to be amputated. His positive demeanor remained, however, and after returning to Canada he married a volunteer aide who worked at the Toronto hospital where he was recuperating.
Christian received artificial limbs and lived a long and active life until his death in 1954. Active in Veteran’s causes, he was one of the more than 8,000 Veterans who were invited to France when the Canadian National Vimy Memorial was dedicated by King Edward VIII in July 1936.