Helping People with Disabilities Enjoy Sailing

Within the Eastern Region there are 16 Sailability Foundation sites ranging from large, independent groups to small groups incorporated into sailing clubs. Methods of operating vary from daily sessions at some, to just one morning a week at others.

Most groups are run by volunteers who facilitate sailing in whatever way they can. They are the “sailing buddies”, fund raisers and working parties. The Rotary Clubs of Great Britain have taken a special interest in the sport and we are indebted to them for providing both volunteers and craft.

Training is an important element in group structure and RYA Sailability will assist with sessions in Disability Awareness, First Aid and Special Needs Manual Handling as well as gaining sailing qualifications.

A Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificate scheme, adapted from the RYA Dinghy Sailing programme, enables sailors to achieve recognition of their progress at all levels at their own pace.

This season our region will host;

• the Blind Sailing Nationals for the second time on the River Orwell,
• a Special Olympics Regatta at Alton Water,
• the new East Coast 50 event,

and will continue to provide a growing number of sailing opportunities for people of all ages in the region.

Sailability News

Calling all disabled sailors

UKSA is offering disabled people the opportunity to either try sailing or to add to their sailing experience. If you have not sailed before why not give yachting a try? Or perhaps you would like to get more sea miles under your belt or gain an RYA qualification? You could even complete the RYA Day Skipper or Competent Crew certificates, given your abilities and previous experience. An ability to get up and down companionways and use a sea toilet (with help) is necessary. Cost is £25 a day.

For more information contact Jenny Jeffs jennyjeffs@hotmail.co.uk Tel 07710 262102.
Or John Norman John.Norman@fco.gov.uk Tel 07729 863858

To be nominated for a voyage contact Jenny or RYA East Regional Sailability Co-ordinator Peter Hibberd, Tel 07891 032391

Royal visitor woos disabled sailors

HRH The Princess Royal in her capacity as Patron of RYA Sailability visited the East Anglian Trust at Suffolk Yacht Harbour to help celebrate their 15th birthday at the end of September. Earlier in the day she had opened the new super container berths at Felixstowe Docks South. full story

 

 

 

Hannah makes it to the Paralympics

Essex sailor Hannah Stodel is officially going to the Olympics. She and fellow Sonar crew members John Robertson and Stephen Thomas were among the first to be selected for the Paralympic Games of 2012. The other two were the SKUD 18 crew of Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell

Hannah said: ““It’s weird in some ways as we never expected to be selected this early – and it’s crazy to think that we’re the first athletes to be officially selected for 2012! It’s great that the selectors have that much faith in us – we now have to look forward to the next 12 months and carrying on the hard work we’ve been putting in. “We’ll have our new boat ready soon – she’s called Mandeville, through kind permission of LOCOG – so we’ll be spending the autumn and winter getting to grips with her and getting her ready.“It would be a dream come true to win a medal in London 2012, it’s what we’ve been working towards for so long. We’ve been to two Games before and I don’t want any more free t-shirts – I want a medal this time!” Hannah, who was born in Colchester but now lives in West Mersea, started sailing aged three in Brightlingsea in a Mirror. She is currently studying Sport and Exercise Science at Loughborough University.

Having joined the RYA Mirror National Junior Squad in 1995, Hannah went on to become the first British woman to compete in a sailing competition at a Paralympic Games in the Sonar at Athens 2004 as well as winning back-to-back World Championships in 2005 and 2006. She says the toughest part of the sport is the constant thought that goes into everything and the fact it’s a never-ending process to stay on top. She admits she always finds herself thinking of the next move and finds it hard to turn off from the sailing world. Inspired by Dame Ellen Macarthur’s sheer determination and can-do attitude, Hannah was named Yachting Journalists Association Young Sailor of the Year 1999. 

 

If the weather is too bad to sail just  what  are the options?

Have a read at this article and see just what can be accomplished by the Wolverstone Project for a group or youngsters from the Pupil Referral Unit in Ipswich Shotley visit

Waveney Sailability

They have just published their comprehensive programme for the coming year which can be seen by following this link Waveney Sailability.