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A nice tonic for a hot summer day is a sailboat cruise on Lake Erie. No matter how fierce the waves, the breakwall allows boaters to enjoy the lake breeze, the downtown Cleveland skyline and the peace that is sailing in the summer.

Mary Sue Tanis has always been an avid sailor; she even lived on the water for a period of time. But her heart has always been about special needs children. For the last 30 years she has dedicated her life to these amazing kids. She founded Youth Challenge in 1976 as a way of partnering volunteer teens and special needs kids in a variety of activities including swimming, horseback riding, rock climbing and countless others. Several years ago she combined two of her passions, sailing and Youth Challenge. Last Thursday, Youth Challenge hosted its 18th Regatta at the Edgewater Yacht Club.  Over 28 participants joined by 59 teen volunteers climbed aboard 10 sailboats and a party boat called the "Holiday" for an afternoon of sailing.

"We did it four times in the ‘80s and then every year since 1991," Tanis said. "Cleveland has such an asset with the lake but the access is very limited. This is another door we can open up for our kids. The Regatta has always been at the Edgewater Yacht Club and they always roll out the red carpet. Most of our boat captains are members of the Tartan X (ten) Fleet. They sail out of Edgewater Yacht Club and the Cleveland Yacht Club. They are all one design fleet boats that race together. They are competitors, but they come together for us."

Youth Challenge volunteer Dave Del Resno shares a laugh with participant Bob Vitko as they prepared to set sail during Youth Challenge’s annual Regatta at the Edgewater Yacht Club. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

Event coordinator Angi Terella stressed the Regatta could not take place without the boat owners.

"It has been a great program, but we have only been able to do it because of the kindness of the sailors, who donate their time and boats," Terella said. "The program has grown with the number of sailboats and we are very much appreciative of that."

Youth Challenge events like the Regatta have one simple function. It is to allow physically challenged kids to participate in an event they normally would not. It is to give kids the feeling of being a kid.

Jessica Hockey will be an incoming freshman at Valley Forge High School. She is an active Youth Challenge participant. She is so full of life when you talk to her, you would have no clue she is physically challenged, which is how it should be.

"I have been on the past four Regattas," Hockey said. "I like being out on the lake and everyone has a great time together. There is a lot of all-round fun."

Hockey is appreciative of the opportunities that Youth Challenge gives her.

"I have tried almost every activity at least once," she said. "It makes me realize that I am the same as anyone else. I can still do a lot of the things able-bodied people can do but sometimes adaptations just have to be made for me and that is pretty much it."

Hockey and Kim Nadolski and their teen volunteer partners Jennifer DiSalvo and Becky Bokisa sailed on Ted and Pat Mahoney's boat, "Lazy Lass." Nadolski even got to steer the boat.

"This was my fifth regatta," Nadolski said. "I love meeting new people every year, it is one of my favorite events."

Ted Mahoney said he could not think of a better use of his boat.

"It is a good way to use the boat other than racing it," Mahoney said. "This organization takes good care of the kids and it is well organized. So it is pretty satisfying. The kids love it. They love being out on the water and seeing the sights. It is even better when, like this year, we can see the tall ships."

 At every one of their events, Youth Challenge teams up each participant with a trained teen volunteer.

 "We have over 300 teenage volunteers," Terella said. "As long they participate in a training session, anyone over 12 is able to volunteer. Volunteers are a vital part of our organization; without our teen volunteers we would not be Youth Challenge. They are paired one on one with a child with a physical disability. That social, physical and emotional interaction is just invaluable for the participant. Whether they are rock climbing, sailing, swimming or playing softball, they have a safety zone and comfort level with these teenagers. And they have a great time."

 DiSalvo, who attends St. Raphael in Bay Village, volunteers for Youth Challenge quite a lot.

"It is a great way to give back and it is a lot of fun," she said. "I have done bowling, horse back riding, swimming and nature center activities. The kids are a lot of fun to hang around with and I really enjoy it."

The participants and their parents enjoy the fun activities that Youth Challenge offers and the friendships that are built over the year.

Shelli Segura's 9-year-old son Jordan has recently started participating with Youth Challenge.

"The program is great because it offers kids opportunities they never would otherwise receive," she said. "He gets to do so many activities, I could never get him into — let only adapt for him — something like this regatta, it was just so neat to see him sail. It lets the kids be kids and do things they never would normally."

Tim Skiora started doing activities with Youth Challenge when he was five years old. Now that he is 18 years old and attending St. Edward High School, he still looks forward to the Regatta.

"I always look forward to the Regatta every year," he said. "Everyone is excited to be on the boat, and then afterwards the activities are great and I get to hang out with my friends. Youth Challenge allows us to do new and adventurous things. I don't get to go on boats all that often, and it is fun to get out and try it. The staff and volunteers are all great and a lot of fun.”