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A ship-shape first season for local sailing charity

Following its official launch last October, Celtic Capability Sailing is celebrating its first year in operation and a successful season of sailing. The RYA-accredited charity, based at the Barry Community Water Activity Centre, was created to offer sailing experiences to a wide range of people that would like to try sailing, with or without disabilities, with the focus on capability, not disability, and with an aim to grow a diverse and inclusive sailing community. The team consists of more than 15 volunteers, all with a wealth of sailing knowledge, expertise and practical skills and who are proud to be involved, lending their skills to every aspect of this project. When not out on the water, the Capability Sailing Team is involved in events, fundraisers and business functions which allow it to promote the charity’s services to all in the South Wales area. One such is The Autism Directory Live Expo, taking place at Cardiff City Stadium on the September 27. This show will provide face-to-face access to the services, resources and provisions that are there to help individuals and families living with autism, and the professionals that support them. Capability Sailing has also partnered with Jubilee Sailing Trust, and are holding a fundraiser on September 29 at The Lookout in Cardiff Bay. With the best view in Cardiff Bay and themed around ‘A Day At The Races’ with tote betting on several competitions, this informal event promises to be packed with fun as well as raising money for both worthy charities. Tickets are priced at £10 and available through Eventbrite or on the door at the venue, and include a picnic and entertainment by Leighton Jones. You can get in touch with Capability Sailing through its website www.capabilitysailing.co.uk, via any social media channels or directly at admin@cababilitysailing.co.uk, or search for #capabilitynotdisability.

Celebrity launch for new accessibility at Bewl Water

Para Sailing World Champion Will Street and BBC presenter Steve Brown joined the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells and members of Mariners of Bewl in unveiling a new pontoon section and hoist at Bewl Water. The launch on 14 September will make watersports more accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. Mariners of Bewl, the club behind the project, support the integration of physically disabled and able-bodied people through sailing. The club, based at Bewl Water for the past 30 years, is accredited by the Royal Yachting Association Sailability scheme. The hoist and pontoon took two years to plan and cost over £20,000 to purchase and install. Thanks to grants and donations from the RYA Foundation, Sports England, Bewl Sailing Association, Hilary’s Dream Trust and a number of generous individuals and groups, the ‘Big Lift’ project has finally taken off. Richard Hayden, a trustee of Mariners of Bewl, said: “We are very grateful for the generous support of the organisations and individuals who have funded the hoist, davit and pontoon. The equipment now means that those who need a hoist on a stable platform to transfer from land to boats can now do so in a safe and more dignified way and allows us all, irrespective of a disability to get on the water and enjoy our respective activities.” Photo left to right: Steve Brown, the Mayor and Will Street cut the ribbon. Operations Manager at Bewl Water Phil Daley enthused: “We are extremely excited to have these new facilities on site and look forward to seeing more and more people enjoy the fantastic sport of sailing at Bewl.” Steve Brown added: “Whatever sport you are part of, however able or disabled you are, sport is huge. It bridges gaps, it makes friendships, it gives people common ground and that is really important. Sport has been a massive part of my life.” If you are interested in sailing with Mariners of Bewl please make contact by email to enquiries@mariners-of-bewl.org.uk To find out more about sailing opportunities for disabled people, or those that need specific support to get on the water visit www.rya.org.uk/sailability.

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Sail After Service Success

A group of military veterans from Greater Manchester are negotiating to establish their own sailing group after discovering the value of the sport in their recovery from the effects of combat. As well as improving their sailing skills further, some are also hoping to qualify again as sailing and powerboat instructors. However, it is the camaraderie they have been able to develop alongside the physical and mental benefits of sailing that has made the biggest impact on lives blighted by the long lasting effects of post traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. The group from Rochdale and Tameside Ex-Forces and Veterans started their sailing journey with a dedicated eight week course at the Hollingworth Lake Activity Centre. They followed that by entering the Royal Yacht Association Sailability Multi-class Regatta and bringing home a trophy. One of those on the course, Steve Casey explains: "PTSD meant I lost confidence so I hadn't sailed for ten years. It also affects how you feel about meeting people. I heard about the course and thought I'd have a go. It's the sense of freedom you get from sailing, as well as the social aspect of it." Steve works as a search dog handler but points out that most of the other veterans on the course are not employed so they are trying to get funding so the proposed Veterans Sailing Group can pay for sessions on the water. He is hoping to re-qualify as a powerboat instructor. Another veteran Graham Braithwaite summed it up: "It’s a great way to relax and get away from the stresses of life as it puts your mind into a different mindset." He says they have already set up a fishing group as a result of the social contacts they made. One of the instructors at Hollingworth Lake was Ben Glynn: "Everyone involved since the first taster day has walked away with more confidence and with a renewed and refreshed skill set or a completely new skill." The activity was funded through the Sail After Service programme organised by Rochdale Council and supported by Link4Life, the RYA and Moving Forces. Caen Matthews, himself a veteran, who manages Sail After Service says "The aim of the scheme was to bring veterans together with a shared purpose and, judging by the feedback we have had, it has been a resounding success.” Caen joined the team at the Regatta:“It was a fantastic weekend and we were honoured to be representing the borough of Rochdale at such a prestigious sporting occasion. There were plenty of thrills and spills out on the water, but we performed with credit and enjoyed every minute. "

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Volunteers wanted at sailing club for people with disabilities

Frensham Pond Sailability is a sailing club aimed at “anyone from the age of ten with a disability or long term illness” who wishes to learn how to sail. The club provides both beginners lessons as well as competitive racing at national and international levels. Boats provided include a “range of specially designed boats and necessary support facilities”, with Sailability members describing themselves as “freed of limitations” and having the ability to “compete on equal terms with any able-bodied sailor”. However, the team at Frensham Pond are appealing for volunteers to join the group and assist with activities at the club. Volunteers can help through teaching members to sail, preparing the boats and helping sailors in and out of the boat. Other roles include organising and running events, preparing meals and assisting with IT issues. Katie Apse, volunteer co-ordinator at Sailability joined four years ago, learning about the team through a friend. She called the experience a “wonderful way to spend the day doing the things I love, being outside and sailing, and helping people at the same time”. She also described her “greatest satisfaction” as “seeing someone sail solo for the first time”. The team has appealed for volunteers to assist at Thursday and Saturday morning sessions from April to October. If you would like information on how you can volunteer, email Katie at katieapse@btinternet.com Or for more information visit the website www.frenshampondsailabilty.org.uk.

Superb sailing at Cardigan Bay regatta

THE 145th Cardigan Bay Regatta at New Quay – one of the oldest sailing events in the country – served up superb sailing and family fun in perfect weather conditions. President Phillip Thomas and his wife Carol presided over a successful and memorable regatta, where sailing of the highest standard was on show over the three days. The shore activity programme attracted children from near and far. More than 70 children took part in the sand building competition which opened the inshore events and was held on the main beach on the first day. The swimming and rowing events were a brilliant sight and a total of 33 events were raced to screams of encouragement from the pier. Thanks went to the inshore lifeboat and the beach lifeguards who supported the event and helped to make it a success. The Cardigan Bay Watersports centre also assisted with the use of six paddle boards and kayaks. The regatta is run entirely by a small, dedicated band of local volunteers and all events were funded through sponsorship, the support of local businesses plus the kind donations from the public. The sailing race from Aberystwyth was won by Christine Willis in Rodmar, second was Mark Willis in Katabatic and third, Nigel Howes in Moonrise. Overall, the light winds favoured the smaller boats and once again sailors had the company of a large family of dolphins as spectators. In the dinghy fleet, Best Junior (Under 21) was won by Duncan Lloyd-Evans; the Best Lady Helm was Catherine Gray (Laser Radial, NQYC) and Most Improved U21 was her brother, Morgan Gray (RS Feva XL, NQYC). OVERALL RESULTS Cruisers: 1 Katabtic (Mark Willis, Sam Coles, Rachel Malcove, Doug Lloyd-Haynes, James Willis, Ceri Knapgate) 4pts; 2 Brainstorm (Chris Seal, Andy Lowe, Simon Earle, Ben Davies, Steffan Seal) 8pts; 3 Bobble (Steve Berry, Peter Heard, Steffan and Llinos Williams) 19pts; 4 Sprite (Crawford McLeary, Steve Wood, Kat Dawes) 20pts; 5 Gelert (Carl Rich, David Stubbs and Joe Litten) 21pts. Dinghies: 1 Ian Willis (NQYX/South Staffs) 5pts; 2 Christian Smart (Pembrokeshire YC) 11pts; 3 Duncan Lloyd Evans (NQYC) 5pts; 4 Eliot Rose (Bartley Green SC) 23; 5 Simon Turnbull (Pembrokeshire YC) 25 pts. Next year’s event takes place from August 23-25.

Isle of Wight sailor celebrates return home after circumnavigating Britain in catamaran

AN ISLE of Wight sailor has become the first person to single-handedly sail a beach catamaran around Britain. Liam Thom, 48, notched up an impressive 2,587 miles on his Dart 15 catamaran, Biscuit, after setting off on June 17 and arriving back on the Island on August 13. He started at Shanklin Sailing Club and sailed to the very northern edge of Scotland and back again, stopping only to sleep beside his boat or occasionally stay with people he met on his travels. Liam said: "I'd done some cruising before, but I had always wanted to round Britain at some point — so I guess the seed was sown long ago. "The Dart 15 catamaran is my boat, so it was the boat I wanted to do this in. "It wasn't too unpleasant on the water — although it did get rather cold and, at one point, I had up to nine layers on. My fingers were suffering a little towards the end." Liam, from St Helens, was elated when he finally made the half-way point and was able to cross the northern most part of Scotland. He said: "The real highlight was going over the top of Scotland. It's quite renowned as being a really dangerous stretch of water, so I had to stay focussed the whole time. "When I managed to get through, I was one very happy sailor. That was my Everest. "At one place, a local invited me to stay at his house for a night and he fed me steak and let me have a bath. I met so many strangers who were so generous." When Liam returned to the Island, arriving at the same sailing club he left from, his girlfriend, Yvonne, and family were waiting for him as he crossed the finish line. Liam said: "I was absolutely over the moon. I really was so happy to have completed something that took two months to do. "It was a pretty special moment. It takes a while to realise the enormity of what you have just done, of the achievement you've made."