Bahamas Disability Adventures, a Bahamas disability sports and recreation non-profit organization, will host the inaugural Blind Boat Challenge on Discovery Day Weekend, October 13-14. The two day event, designed to advance and encourage disabled persons in The Bahamas and worldwide, features a boat challenge and an invitational golf tournament.
The main event, scheduled for Saturday, October 13, has two components and will feature a boat piloted by Jerome Thompson, who is blind, pulling water-skier Jamal Nottage, a one-leg amputee.
The duo will first depart from Hurricane Hole at 10:30 a.m. and circumnavigate Paradise Island once. Then at 12:30 p.m., Thompson and Nottage will travel off the Montague foreshore on the eastern end of New Providence Island.
On Sunday, October 14, the Blind Boat Challenge Bahamas Invitational Golf Tournament, hosted at the One and Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island, will raise funds to benefit three Bahamian charitable organization.
Sponsors and supporters include Burns House, LTD, The Bahamas Telecommunications Company, Hurricane Hole Marina, Colina Insurance, Atlantis Resort, Romeo’s Executive Limousine Services, ABC Prosthetics and Orthotics, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.
Thomson, who is 48, lost his sight at the age of 11 and is the president and founder of Bahamas Disability Adventures. On July 11, 2009, Thomson made Bahamian marine history by becoming the first blind person in The Bahamas to drive a motor boat under his own power. He was assisted by a support team, including his trainer Capt. Glenwood Bain, a former Royal Bahamas Defense Force boat captain.
The mission of Bahamas Disability Adventures is to help disabled persons bring their dreams to life by supporting them in their endeavors either financially or through the provision of equipment and training. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available. For more information, contact Jerome Thompson at (242) 601-6112 or adventures-bahamas@live.com.