The John Ferrell Memorial Cup is a regatta that brings people with disabilities together.
The two day event was held at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club. Participants are divided into two fleets, gold and silver, gold being the more experienced of the sailors.
The seven silver sailors captain a Martin 16 sailboat. It was created by Canadian Don Martin in 1995 and designed specifically for disabled sailors and the Canadian innovation does not stop there. Jenny Mcewen-Hill, the Regatta organizer, in collaboration with a Hamilton manufacturer, developed the lift that assists people into the boat.
“It is the only lift that we are aware of in North America that can be used on a floating dock for lifting people and it is ISO certified as well, it has been put through all of the testing. I did not know it was going to be called the Jenny lift but that was a nice thing for him to do.”
The disabled sailing program at the Royal Hamilton Yacht club is accommodating to many disabilities, both physical and intellectual.
