Hashtag Salvideo
A Story of Overcoming: 40 Years at Sea with Only One Leg
August 4, 2026 · 7 min
What this video covers
A sailor recounts his transition from powerboating to sailing in Tapes, Brazil, following a leg amputation at age 27 due to bone cancer.0:45 After his initial experience on a Snipe, he purchased a Guanabara and later acquired his current vessel, a 24-foot Ardigia designed by Pablo Ciber.5:29 The Ardigia features a 65-centimeter draft with a centerboard and a 500-kilogram lead ballast, providing stability in heavy weather.5:29 During a recent summer regatta in Tapes, the boat withstood 90 km/h winds while sailed single-handed with a full sail plan.6:08 The owner credits sailing with providing a new sense of freedom and a secondary world beyond his life on land, noting that the sport remains accessible and rewarding despite his physical limitations.6:53 His experience highlights that learning to sail often involves trial and error, including early mistakes with anchoring and maneuvering in crowded anchorages.4:34
Boats in this video
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