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Access Boats USA

Contact Access Boats USA at
www.accessboatsusa.com
info@accessboatsusa.com
U.S. (954) 797-2980

"I love sailing, but when I see others sailing and coming back with HUGE SMILES after having been able to assist them in getting in the boats and on the water - that is all the pay I really need!" says Ricardo Seidner, the new builder in the United States. .

Access Boats USA, our family’s new company in Plantation, Florida, opened its doors March 1, 2005, making Access Dinghies available for the first time from a builder within the United States. As with most things that surround the creation of these little boats and the programs that utilize them – Access Boats USA has a story.

Ricardo became familiar with the Access Dinghies, after meeting Debra Frenkel of the Tradewinds Foundation, during a program for children with cancer and their families. Ricardo’s 14 year old son, Josh, has been going through treatment for Leukemia since September of 2002. As of the end of March, 2005, he has finished his treatment and is doing well. Josh and his family had attended a special day of yachting and activity provided by the Tradewinds Foundation. Josh was then invited to join in the all-inclusive sailing program, newly established by Tradewinds, in the Ft. Lauderdale area, and the smiles that crossed his face rejuvenated his father. Ricardo hadn’t seen Josh smile like that in a very long time.

Since then, Josh has gone sailing almost every weekend and won first place in the gold fleet at regatta in Miami. Josh said that when he is on the water he “forgets about everything and it doesn’t matter if you have a disability – even if you are a quadriplegic – in these sailing boats you have the same chance of winning.” Josh continues to use crutches due to weakness in his legs from the treatment. He has brought his cousin with him to sail; recruited his mother and sister to participate in special events; has made new friends and has traveled to regattas in other cities. Josh intends to be working in the business with his father in anyway he can, and of course, continue sailing.

Ricardo has been volunteering for the program while Josh has been sailing. He told another story about a deaf/mute gentleman, Steven, who came to sail. When Steven got off the water from his first time out – he was smiling ear to ear – hurried off the boat and ran up the dock, scurrying. The instructor and Ricardo watched in bewilderment, unsure why he had ran off so quickly and only explained by Steven’s return, holding up with outstretched arms - a piece of paper with the words, “I loved it!” written across. When Debra Frenkel suggested building the boats in the U.S. to Ricardo, he was already sold!

Contact Access Boats USA at
www.accessboatsusa.com
info@accessboatsusa.com
U.S. (954) 797-2980

Adriana, Ricardo's wife