David Greenwalt smiled as he helped push one of the boats carrying a Craig Hospital patient away from the shore July 29 so the Hobie Cat could go sailing on the waters of Cherry Creek Reservoir.

“I really enjoy being a volunteer each year with this Craig Hospital Hobie Cat Day,” the Parker resident said. “I work in the health care industry, I see a lot of recreation program but none of them are like this Craig program. It’s fun to be out with other Hobie Cat crews and I feel great to be a part of taking these people sailing because I think it gives them a sense of freedom and determination to do whatever they want to do.”

This is the 32nd year Craig has enlisted the cooperation of Hobie Cat Fleet 61 skippers and owners to take patients with spinal cord or brain injuries sailing.

Craig patient Warren Robinson said he really enjoyed his first time on a sail boat.

“I went out on the motorboat first but sailing is really cool,” the Albuquerque, N.M., resident said. “Being on the sail boat out there on the open water gives a sense of freedom. I really enjoyed sailing and, I’ll get a bite to eat and then see if I can go sailing again.”

Craig Hospital in Englewood lined up 50 to 75 staff members and about 100 volunteers to bus about 50 patients to the reservoir beach where there was, as usual, almost a party atmosphere.

A band provided live entertainment and volunteers staffed the grills, turning out plates of picnic fare for Craig patients, their families, hospital staff and volunteers.

Shelters were set up to provide shade and a place to rest and eat lunch until it was time to return to the hospital or get aboard a boat for a ride on the reservoir.

There were a couple motor-powered boats available but most patients wanted to go out on the water in a Hobie Cat.

The Hobie Cat has a catamaran-style hull and a single sail. Canvas is stretched between the two hulls to provide an area for the crew and passengers, included Craig patients.

For this project, the boat is pulled up stern first onto the sand so the Craig patient, most in wheelchairs but some with canes or crutches, can be placed on the sailboat with an attendant.

When everyone has donned a life jacket, the boat is pushed back off the sand, the sail catches the wind and the Hobie Cat skims smoothly across the water.

Craig alumni Pat Banevich said it is exciting to be going sailing.

“I like being out on the water,” the Littleton resident said as she waited help to get aboard the sailboat. “I went out last year and I have really been looking forward to going out again today.”

Linda Hobson, Pat’s caregiver, said the program is phenomenal because Pat has fun getting out on the water and it lifts her spirits.

Tony Rayburn volunteers at Craig and joined those at the reservoir.

“This event is a very big deal for the patients and it is for us too,” the Highlands Ranch resident said. “They say being out on the water on a sail boat gives them a great sense of being free and being able to do about anything anyone else can do.”