Changing Lives One Sail at a Time

Jim Nolan, Chair
Beth Rossman, Vice Chair/Secretary
Will Crump, Treasurer
David Hankey Immediate Past Chair
Jonathan Adams
Arthur “Jib” Edwards
Shelly Ford
Dr. Jonathan Forsberg
Sandy Grosvenor
Steve Ritterbush
Donald Santa
Paul “Bo” Bollinger Jr. President & CEO
Rebecca Gonser Vice President of Development
Matt Schaaf Director of Operations
Shannon Rohrer Manager of Programs
Providing the therapeutic benefits of learning to sail for people with disabilities, recovering warriors, and youth from underserved communities.
To create therapeutic recreational activities designed to promote healing and improve the quality of life for individuals facing disabilities, youth from underserved communities, and recovering warriors. Our programs include sailing, fishing, boating, radio-controlled sailing, therapeutic music, art, and yoga, all guided by trained volunteers and professionals who ensure participants have a safe and fulfilling experience.
In 2023, CRAB partnered with 38 community support organizations and delivered 87 sailing and boating events, including CRAB’s powerboat programs on CRAB’s new Gemini Freestyle power catamaran. Over 1,200 guests (61% with a disability) were provided the thrill and freedom of learning to sail or boat on Chesapeake Bay. The programs and partnerships continue to grow at the Adaptive Boating Center!
More than 20 percent of Maryland adults have identified themselves as having one or more disabilities. CRAB guests are encouraged to learn and focus on their abilities while sailing; and when they leave the dock they are happier and more fulfilled members of our community.
Guest Judy Kulawiak of Montgomery County Stroke Group commented, “Everything about our sail was perfect. I would not change anything. Getting on and off the boat was easy, and all my worries melted away. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
Every year since becoming CRAB’s Executive Director in 2016, I find it rewarding to contemplate how much we have accomplished in the past year while fondly reminiscing about the smiles we brought to our guest’s faces. In this case the “we” is the CRAB Board of Directors, hardworking Staff, and dedicated volunteers who have given their time and effort to make the organization the very best in the country.
The planning, design, construction, and opening of the $6.2M CRAB Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center over the past six and a half years could be considered overwhelming, even a miracle, for a small nonprofit, but again it was the “we” that made it happen. This time it includes the State of Maryland, Anne Arundel County, the City of Annapolis, and most importantly the generous supporters of CRAB. Fortunately, the list is far too long to list in this letter.
Looking to the future and successfully growing CRAB’s mission, there will be many more opportunities to introduce new guests and volunteers into the CRAB family with the start of radio-controlled sailboat racing and fishing; plus, shoreside programs involving music and art therapy, yoga for amputees and paralyzed guests, movies on the lawn for children, and so much more.
In closing, when “we” designed a 100% accessible and sustainable home for CRAB we wanted it to look beautiful for our guests. There is no reason something accessible has to look utilitarian. I make this point because of the many wonderful comments we hear from CRAB guests and volunteers, “This place is beautiful,” is by far the most common. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we are happy to behold you here at the CRAB Adaptive Boating Center for many decades to come.
We wish everyone an exciting and rewarding experience with CRAB at the Adaptive Boating Center and on Chesapeake Bay.
CRAB achieved a remarkable milestone in 2023 by making a successful transition from Sandy Point State Park after 32 years to the new Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center (ABC). Six years of planning, design, permitting, and construction resulted in the creation of the premier Adaptive Boating Center in the country. Metaphorically speaking, the ABC is the blueaccessible parking sign on Chesapeake Bay for people who would not otherwise have access.
Guest, Tyler Latvala, said, “The volunteers, staff, and programs are absolutely amazing. Everyone was welcoming and helpful. This is obviously something a lot of people put a significant amount of time and work into, and it shows.”
The ABC Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, which took place on May 2, 2023, included many community leaders,
donors, and stakeholders. Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman proudly stated, “I salute the work that has been done here. This project is setting an example for the state and nonprofits across the country by building a facility and running a program that is all about inclusivity and resilience. This project will help ensure that all Marylanders reach their full potential.”
Since the ABC’s grand opening, CRAB has been visited by adaptive sailing programs from across the country and they have all been impressed and energized bu the facility and operations. The opportunity to expand and enhance on-water and on-land therapeutic programming for guests is nearly limitless. Just as CRAB Founder Don Backe was fond of sayingabout sailing at CRAB, “No limits.”
Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman speaking; Maryland Secretary of Disabilities Carol Beatty, Maryland Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Wood, and Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy VADM Sean Buck; Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center.
CRAB’s commitment to sustainability and protecting our natural resources for future generations was incorporated into the design and construction from the very beginning. The ABC features roof-mounted solar panels donated, engineered, installed, and managed by New Energy Equity’s charitable giving arm – the Lift as We Climb Foundation.
The solar panels are designed with a capacity of 25kW, producing an estimated 33 megawatt-hours of electricity – enough to fully power the entire new boating center for the next 25 years. The parking lot has two
The Adaptive Boating Center showcases its top-ofthe-line solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations.
Electric Vehicle charging stations for four vehicles. The property has two bio-retention ponds to capture and filter water before entering Back Creek. Over 620 trees, shrubs, bushes, and grasses were planted, with five mature trees protected, to create a natural filter on the property.
CRAB also has taken steps to reduce paper waste by moving its guest feedback system online. A ban on single-use plastic water bottles was implemented with reusable water bottles generously provided by the Rotary Club of Annapolis and refills from two convenient bottle refill stations.
AACO Police
ARC of the Chesapeake
ARC of Southern Maryland
Arundel Lodge
Bay Village
BayWoods of Annapolis
Bello Machre
Bennett Institute
Boundless Edventures
Boys & Girls Club Center of Help Central Special School
Chesterwye
City of Annapolis Police
DC VA Medical Center
Emerge
Family Service Foundation
Ginger Cove
Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies
Vets
Impossible Dream
Kennedy Krieger
Kids In Action
Langton Green
Living Sans Frontiers
Maryland School for the Blind
Montgomery County Stroke Group
Medstar National Rehabilitation Center Opportunity Builders, Inc.
Pursuit Adaptive Sports
Richcroft
Rockville Amputee Group
Spring Dell
US Access Board
Walter Reed & Fort Belvoir
Wilderness Kids
Alexandria Wounded Warrior Project
Beth Acton
Jonathan Adams
Kathy Anderson
Teresa Anzalone
Amity Arora
Sam Baca
Steven Bardelman
Jill Bennett
Mark Bertacchi
Mary Pat Bertacchi
Ed Black
Liz Bollinger
Joyce Bolton
Craig Braverman
Todd Breese
Ange Brock
Mitch Buchman
John Burns
Janice Cannon
David Cantor
John Cantrick
Christopher Carbery
Mark Chapin
Donna Clapp
Christine Collins
Pamela Corwin
Micky Coughlin
Jill Critcher
Will Crump
William Dick
Michelle Dina
Justin Disborough
Jason Duncan
Dennis Dunn
Allie Eberhardt
Jib Edwards
John Enderle
Clotilde Enel Rehel
David Enos
Bill Erickson
Denise Ertel
Bob Esposti
Doug Fineberg
Nancy Fineberg
Greg Flanigan
Willem Folkerts
George C. Frank Jr.
Kevin Garvey
Chris Gildea
Aaron Goldmann
Jack Gonser
Ben Gonser
JT Gonser
Sloane Gonser
Janet Gonski
Keith Goode
Ed Gray
Linda Gray
Peggy Greenwell
Susan Guterl
Laura Gwinn
Daryl Haegley
Karen Hailine
Dillon Hale
Jeff Halpern
Larry Hand
Amy Harris
Nina Harris
Christopher Heffernan
Jacquie Hogan
Cynthia Hooper
Michael Horton
Mike Huddleston
Bob Huebner
Cindy Huffaker
Roseanne Jacuzzi
Anne Kaiser
Paul Kaladas
Mickey Kamfjord
Andy Katz
John Kelley
Jaime Kiley
Tad Klopic
Shelly Kosisky
David Krajewski
Cynthia Krewson
Mike Kuiper
Joel McCord
Marlys McDevitt
Mary Ellen McMillin
Radamaz Mendoza
Grazia Mieren
June Misner
Tim Mooney
Ed Morgan
Bob Morrow
Michael Murray
Pete Nelson
Holly O’Hare
Phil Ourisson
Ed Paglee
Paul Perdue
Jeff Poehler
Gerry Puig
Sheila Rowny
Dona RudderowSturn
Rich Saad
Ava Sale
Vicki Saporta
Steven Sarnowski
Art Savage
Leo Scanlon
Maude Lawrence
Carol Lazzaro
Henry Lazzaro
Kelly Leuschner/ Patterson
Bill Levatino
Craig Ligibel
Bob Logan
Stephen Lord
Clent Lowe
Martin Lutsky
Margie Magill
Michael Manuzak
John Maxwell
Susan Reed
Sarah Reihl
Marie Richardson
Danny Rick
Ed Riehl
Nancy Riker
Alex Ritterbush
Lyn Rockhill
John Rogers
Chris Rohrer
Susan Rosenfeld
Beth Rossman
Peter Rowny
Catherine Schaaf
Anna Scott
Skip Shipman
Corinne Smith
Eileen Smith
Jordan Smith
Michael Sommer
John Straus
Ellen Sweeney
Carol Tabak
Francesca
Thompson
Paul Van Cleve
Gwyn Vernon
Skip Wallace
Arnold Wallenstein
Barbara Wallenstein
Trey Warman
Cathy Waters
Dave Watson
Richard Wehrmann
Ken Weise
Jeff West
Dick White
Beau Whitney
Suzanne Whitney
Laura Wiegmann
Andy Wood
Mary Wood
Michele Woolbert
Nancy Wright
Mike Zapf
Ton Zwaard
CRAB FLEET DIRECTORS
Jim Barnes
Dan Flagler
Walt Laird
Pete McDevitt
George Pappas
Dan Pendergast
Tom Spitzer
Executive Community Support
Bradley Foundation Anonymous Foundation
On August 19, 2023, over 650 sailors and supporters gathered together to celebrate with CRAB at the 2023 CRAB Cup. The annual event was a huge success as 88 sailboats and seven powerboats competed in thrilling pursuit and poker-run racing
The weather was perfect for the first-ever Koons Ford Mobility and Braun Abilitysponsored spectator cruise for CRAB Guests and their families. They had front row seats at the marks for watching the pursuit racing.
Mark your calendars for August 17, 2024, and the 18th Annual CRAB Cup at the Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis, MD. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating, and it’s all about advocating for equal access to the Chesapeake Bay for everyone. With over 650 friends and neighbors coming together, it’s sure to be a great time for all!
Starting in 2024, CRAB introduced seven new programs. Guests can now participate in adaptive fishing, radio-controlled sailing, adaptive yoga, therapeutic music, art therapy, movies on the lawn, and monthly military days during the sailing season. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Are you looking for a stunning waterfront venue for your upcoming event? The Adaptive Boating Center offers the perfect location with its 1400-square-foot Don Backe Learning Center and Arthur Birney Pavilion. Whether it’s a wedding, bridal shower, baby shower, birthday, or anniversary, the ABC will exceed your expectations. The unparalleled views and sunsets make it one of the most sought-after venues in Annapolis.
ADAPTIVE BOATING CENTER INCOME
– 2023 ADAPTIVE BOATING CENTER FINANCIALS
3,912 VOLUNTEER HOURS
1,004 DONORS
85 SAILING/ BOATING EVENTS
1,240 GUESTS SERVED
172 VOLUNTEERS
7 MONTHS OF SAILING
34 PARTNERS
42 SPONSORS
297 PROGRAM HOURS