While at the Sunroad Boat Show in San Diego, we interviewed some of the exhibitors for a little highlight reel we put together. One of the most fascinating people we met was Urban Miyares, a disabled veteran who started a non-profit organization in San Diego called Challenged America back in 1978.
Challenged America gives people with disabilities the opportunity to sail. They have built up an impressive array of disability-friendly boats, and even ran a very successful Pacific Cup campaign.
So when we heard that they were seeking volunteers to help with a new project, we were excited to be involved, as it seemed a natural extension of our work for non-profits and our love of sailing.
Through Nielsen Beaumont Marine, Challenged America acquired a Grand Banks 42 powerboat which will be used as a committee boat. The boat needs heaps of work (don’t all boats?) but with the right people, it will get done.
The boat is at the Neilsen Beaumont yard on Shelter Island, and we interviewed the owner Tom Neilsen and Dave Hopkins from Challenged America.
And yes, we will be putting down the cameras and picking up sanders and varnish brushes.
Here is our Sunroad Boat Show vid, for an introduction of Urban.
