Sailing for adults with disabilities has recommenced and new members are very welcome.
This month marked the beginning of the sailing season for Cowes Sailability Club, and weekly sailing activities have resumed for disabled people on the Isle of Wight. Every Monday afternoon, groups of adults with learning disabilities, limited mobility, mental health conditions, visual impairments and other disabilities are having fun on the water.
Spaces are available for new members to join the club and anyone who is interested in finding out more should email [email protected].
Chris Bull, one of Cowes Sailability Club’s enthusiastic team of volunteers, has been supporting new members and helping to run club activities, along with her husband Mike. “It has been a great start to the season with full groups going out on the water,” she says. “It has been good to see some familiar faces, as well as new ones, and to see the enjoyment from this experience. It is a privilege to be involved with Cowes Sailability, and we are looking forward to the rest of the summer.”
Every Monday afternoon (unless the weather is poor), members of Cowes Sailability who have some mobility can sail in one of the club’s two Drascombe sailing boats (pictured), accompanied by trained volunteers who are confident sailors. Participants must be able to follow simple instructions such as ‘please move along the bench’ and have enough mobility to be able to get on and off the sailing boat with support. Current members include people with visual impairments, reduced hearing, mental health issues, tremors and impaired movement.
In addition to weekly sailing activities, motorboating trips take place fortnightly and are accessible to people who are less mobile. “Cowes Sailability Club welcomes members with all kinds of disabilities, including those who are challenged by complex mental health issues, clinical depression and post-traumatic stress,” says Roger Sutton, Commodore of Cowes Sailability Club. “Sailing and boating provide a great way to relax, enjoy an outdoor activity, learn new skills and make new friends, and I look forward to meeting many new members this summer.”
Membership application forms can be requested by contacting [email protected]