Park City Sailing takes ownership of new adaptive boat

The Reucassel Family on Jordanelle Reservoir on Saturday on a family sail, the same day the boat, the "Soliel" named for their daughter, was donated from California to Sail Park City. Photo: Courtesy of Sail Park City

PARK CITY, Utah — Soleil Reucassel’s 13th birthday is today, and Park City Sailing’s 13th birthday is this year, which made Saturday that much more special when the nonprofit took ownership of an RS Venture boat named after her, donated by her family, at the Jordanelle Reservoir. 

Soleil might feel more comfortable at the helm of a sailboat out on the water than in front of a crowd at a microphone; however, she made public speaking look like smooth sailing as she thanked the many stakeholders involved.

“Providing accessibility to all interested in sailing” is written in Sail Park City’s mission statement.

Thus, this 16-foot gift, worth what Christian Buhl told TownLift was around $35,000, goes a long way toward that goal. Buhl, born in Switzerland and residing in Southern California, is the owner of  California Inclusive Sailing which he started ten years ago when a sailing buddy of his was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

The RS Venture boat is designed to not tip over, fits up to six adults, so “you can bring your family, doctors and therapists to sail with you.” Buhl adds as he’s traveled to Park City for the delivery, “It’s actually two boats in one. It’s the most inclusive boat out there, as you can sail with a quadriplegic using these special adaptive seats. The seats pop out without the need for any tools, and it’s a high-performance boat for non-disabled sailors. We have a trapeze and foot straps, and this boat has gone 15 knots in the ocean.” 

Lara and Garth Reucassel, Park City residents and business owners, are Soleil’s parents. Until this month, you could pick Lara out of the crowd as the only family member who wasn’t a sailor, but the arrival of this boat is changing all that. She’s gone out on the Soleil multiple times since donating the ship to Park City Sailing. Although none of the family members are adaptive athletes, “our family has a deep connection with the adaptive community,” she told TownLift.

“Soleil was eight and her younger brother Julian was five, a Guppy in the program, and youngest Theo was an up-and-comer, in their first Sailing camp in 2020, and they loved it!” Lara told TownLift, “We were so impressed with the passion and energy Park City Sailing has to get people on the water that donating this boat to expand Sailing PC’s adaptive program extends this amazing team to a wider audience.”

“We love Park City and all the inspiring people that make living here so enjoyable. We had an outpouring of friends join us on Saturday to celebrate the naming and launch of this amazing boat, and then we delighted in sailing it the following day as a family. It is a momentous occasion, and we welcome everyone who wants to feel the wind in their hair, sun on their face, and  water splashes on their legs to sail with Sailing PC and the RS Venture, Soleil.”

The executive director and the Board of Directors were extremely thankful for this new addition, this new tool out on the lake.

Park City Sailing aims to increase the number of sailors in Utah by offering enriching and high-quality experiences to new and experienced sailors of all ages and backgrounds through outreach, boat access, racing, social events, and educational opportunities, utilizing a fleet of well-maintained boats and quality facilities. They’ve taken 2,500 kids and 1,200 adults out sailing with them.

“One of the most humbling part is that our daughter, Soleil,” continues Lara, “had the same infectious feeling and joy for life to make her first sail with adaptive sailors on Saturday, be the most rewarding and special day of her young life. Best Day Ever was the slogan of the day!”

“Right now, this is boat number five, and it’s the first one outside of California and waaay above sea level,” Buhl told TownLift, referring to the other same-design boats in Newport Beach, Marina del Ray, San Diego, and the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club.

“It’s totally versatile. It’s a hybrid in that it can be a sporty sailing boat suitable for anyone to sail, traditionally. Or it can be modified, where you put in the bucket seats and put in all the different adaptations that it comes with for whatever population you’re working with.” Executive Director of Park City Sailing Scott VerMerris told TownLift.

Sail Park City partners with the National Ability Center (NAC), which offers numerous watersports activities on the lake through its adaptive programming and equipment. However, they work in conjunction when it comes to sailing, as the NAC doesn’t own its own sailboats.

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Sail Park City has coined the phrase ‘socially-impactful sailing’, a philosophy they adhere to when taking out sailors via Wounded Warriors, and sailors suffering through PTSD, and substance abuse recovery. “We’ve been published in some medical journals for the efficacy of sailing as a form of rec therapy to treat PTSD and substance abuse,” VerMerris told TownLift.

This boat will be available for use where applicable in these, Sail Park City’s list of Programs:

• Therapeutic Sailing
• Adult Sailing Lessons
• Junior Sailing
•  Junior Sailing Race Team
• Races
• Outreach and Adaptive Sailing
• Women and Wind
• Corporate and Team Building Events
• Sailing Programs designed for youth on the Spectrum