Dozens of Disabled Californians Sail for the First Time to Experience the Weightlessness of the Water

Dozens of Disabled Californians Sail for the First Time to Experience the Weightlessness of the Water

Physical limitations were off-limits for a blessed and windy day in Sacramento, California.

Dozens of people with various disabilities came down to the Lake Washington Sailing Club to experience the weightlessness of the water.

They used boats that were specifically designed not to tip over, and special rigging for the sails was on hand for those with hands to take control of their surroundings in a unique and new way.

The event was put on by the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), which ensured every participant was accompanied by a sailing pro.

“We have people that sail with no upper arm or leg movement sail with a control, motor control like a wheelchair, that they hook onto their chin,” Jim Tweet, a member of the sailing club who partook in the day’s events.

A polio survivor named Diane Ngo was one of over a dozen who experienced sailing for the first time.

Her attitude was straightforward: bring it on.

“Anything that challenges me to go beyond my comfort zone is why I’m here,” Ngo told CBS News Sacramento. She found that just being on the water and feeling the ability to move around was “exciting.”

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“CAF is awesome, it changed my life,” said Minh Nguyen, a participant at the sailing clinic.

The event was open to all ages and the youngest participant was just 11.

WATCH a video from the special day below…