The Bonnie Lou Gibson Memorial Sail for the Blind and Visually Impaired POWER BOATS NOW ACCEPTED - WE NEED MORE BOATS

We need Skippers, sailboats and crew members for this event. If you can spare some of your time to donate your sailboat, skipper or crew a vessel we could really use your help!  

History

The annual Bonnie Lou Gibson Memorial Sail for the Blind and the Visually Impaired (SVI) has grown to become one of the most important and well attended philanthropic events in Newport Harbor.   Each year many blind or visually impaired guests and their escorts spend a day sailing with volunteers from the American Legion Yacht Club and other area yacht clubs.  There are over 150 volunteers acting as sailing skippers, crew, escorts to and from the docks, meal servers, check-in personnel, marina control, parking assignment, and other positions.

SVI had humble beginnings, starting in 1990, when Bonnie Gibson and Bobbie Reed of the Women's Sailing Association - Orange County (WSA-OC) took 15 blind people sailing on a 40-foot sailboat.  A year later, in 1991, American Legion Yacht Club (ALYC) Commodore J.T. Tarwater established ALYC and Post 291 as the host for SVI.  Commodore Tarwater’s legacy continues today as the ALYC not only continues to host, but also manages the organization and leadership of SVI.

ALYC is proud of our legacy as the host of SVI and delighted to lead this event.   As always, SVI is one of the highlights on our annual calendar.

Review the following waiver before you begin the registration process. 

• Boat Skipper and Crew - 

  Owner / Skipper/ Crew Liability Waiver

  As a participant in the American Legion Post 291 (Post 291) and American Legion Yacht Club

  (ALYC) Sail for the Visually Impaired event, I hereby assume in full, all risks incident to such event and agree to hold harmless Post 291, ALYC, the City of Newport Beach, County of

  Orange, Harbors, Beaches and Parks Department. I am responsible for any legal actions or claims for damages relating to my participation in the event and certify that the vessel named herein is insured for public liability and property damage under an insurance policy that is in force on the date of the event. I agree to comply with all pertinent government regulations related to my participation in this event.