INCLUSIVE SAILING 

TRAPSEATS are hammock wing-like seats that attach to each side of a Hobie 16 catamaran developed by Mike Strahle of Redding California USA. Trapseat sailing is truly the only inclusive catamaran sailing / racing class in the world where able body crew and disABLED skippers compete together on the same boat.  To be classified as a Trapseat skipper for ISAF sanctioned events one must fit the IFDS rating system criteria as disABLED and there are specific Trapseat rules that must be followed (see Trapseat rules section).  In generally at varioius Hobie and other regattas to be a Trapseat skipper one just need to follow the Trapseat specific rules whether one has a disAbility or not. With the inclusive nature of Trapseat sailing skippers with disabilities feel empowered and able bodied sailors (crew) feel more welcomed and part of the inclusive team effort.

 RACING 

Sailing in the Trapseat class for disAbled sailors takes a skipper that knows how to de-power the boat in extreme conditions.  An individual with quadriplegia or other disabilities (with mobility issues) sitting on the low side of the boat with the tiller, must be ready and looking for strong puffs of wind.  The crew must be trained to work with the skipper in strong puffs by easing the main sail (if the skipper is not handling the main sheet)  and must be ready to trapeze out off the Trapseats in an instant.  In case of a capsize, the a/b (able bodied) crew must make sure the skipper is clear and safe.  A chase boat is used to pick up the skipper if necessary and assist in righting the boat.  The skipper is then placed back on the boat (if the sailor was put in the chase boat in the first place) and is allowed to get back in the race.  It is a good idea to plan on at least two chase boats per event.  These chase boats must have three strong men each and should take time to train before the event.  It is possible in most cases to keep the boat from capsizing as I have raced in many Trapseat events as an individual with high level quadriplegia and have only capsized once in ten years.

The Trapseat class with a disABLED skipper and able-bodied crew is like the "49er", or "extreme racing", class in the "disabled sailing world".  Like the 49er, the Trapseat sailors must not be afraid of capsizing or getting wet.  In colder conditions, a dry suit and cold weather hood is suggested, as each skipper must know their own limits!  We strongly suggest an able-bodied crew as well for several safety reasons, in particular, assistance after capsizes (especially during training when there is no support boat).  And we also recommend Gary's solo right system when training because the system allows one person to right the boat after a capsize.