MOSSEL BAY WATER SPORTS NEWS - Mossel Bay's Bennie Grassman (56) will be competing in the Para World Sailing Championships at Lake Michigan in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, from 16 to 22 September.
The Para Championships are for sailors with cognitive or physical challenges.
Bennie's right lower leg was amputated in 2016 after complications following a motor accident in 2011. His leg had been badly broken and he was in constant pain, so he decided to opt for amputation.
He is a member of the Mossel Bay Yacht and Boat Club (MBYBC).
Bennie is the only South African taking part in the championships.
Rob Holden, the Commodore at the MBYBC and the International Sailing Federation development manager, told the Mossel Bay Advertiser: "The federation has a programme in which we help people with disabilities to get to the Para World Championships and we wanted someone from South Africa.
"Through the Learn to Sail School here in Mossel Bay we will develop a para sailing school to teach people with disabilities."
The principal of the school is Rob's wife, Elfie. Learn to Sail schools are found worldwide. They are a concept of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation and recognised by the International Sailing Federation.
Rob explains: "Specialised boats for people with disabilities will be here in a month's time and we will run a special programme for people with disabilities. Quadriplegics can sail the boats. Not everyone is a quadriplegic, but that is the capacity the boats have.
"With that in mind, Bennie is the first candidate," Rob says.
"Elfie has been training him. He will go to Sheboygan as part of the International Sailing Federation team. I will be running a clinic for a week before the world champs using the boats they will be sailing. The federation is funding this."
Bennie Grassman in training with Tammy Holden, the daughter of Rob and Elfie Holden. Photo: Linda Sparg
The clinic is from 11 to 15 September at the same venue as the Para Sailing Worlds.
"Our hope is that this inspires other people with disabilities to sail. It's quite a challenging thing to do. We really want to create opportunities for people through the Skipper Foundation, the non-profit organisation Elfie has started."Bennie is super-excited about the opportunity. "I've never been to the States. I am aiming to get a podium spot. There will be only 40 contenders. We will be assessed by medical doctors and then divided into classes. There will only be six boats."
The sailors will rotate and their times will be compared to ascertain their placing.
The sailors will be using a Hansa 303, a keel boat adapted for people with disabilities. The rudder is between your legs, not behind you.
Bennie says: "If I finish in the first six in the championships, I will be able to apply for Protea colours."
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