Heartwarming tale of why sailing means the world to man with cerebral palsy

PATRICK Souiljaert is an accomplished author, motivational speaker and meditation teacher. He lives with cerebral palsy, but doesn’t think of himself as disabled, and regularly sails with the charity Sussex Sailability at Sussex Yacht Club. Patrick, 45, from Shoreham, talks about what sailing means to him and why the planned rebuild of Sussex Yacht Club, which will make it one of the best centres for sailing for the disabled in the UK, is so important. YOU only get one chance at life, so why live it with self-imposed limits? “Being born with my umbilical cord around my neck in 1973 deprived me of oxygen and I’ve lived with the physical challenges caused by cerebral palsy since that moment. “Cerebral palsy is a physical disability, which makes the physical demands of life difficult. It affects movement, balance and, in some cases, the person’s speech. However, I’ve never thought of myself as being disabled and I’ve always believed that I can do anything I want to. “I started sailing in the summer of 2013. “My friend Mike from down the pub, who was a member of Sussex Yacht Club, told me about Sussex Sailability which gets people with all kinds of disabilities sailing. “He said I should give it a go because I might like it, even though I’d never done sailing before. “Straight away I knew it was for me. It was something completely different from what I was doing in my work life. It’s pure escapism and I find it so peaceful. When I’m out on the boat I feel really in the present moment, which is awesome. “I suppose on that first time out on the water, I was a bit apprehensive that the boat might capsize. I can swim, just not very well, but I was wearing a buoyancy aid and I was with a volunteer, so I felt safe. On my third visit I went out on a boat on my own, it felt exhilarating – even though a lot of the time I was just going around in circles because I didn’t know how to sail. “When I’m out there, on my own, it’s quite exciting because I’m in control – yet in some ways I’m not because my direction is guided by the wind. “It’s a sporting activity and I’m doing something I wouldn’t normally do, plus there’s an element of danger – of thrill-seeking. “I still think of myself as a novice, but then I don’t take it very seriously – for me it’s a bit of fun on a Saturday afternoon. “For my first three years I went up and down the river on my own in the small access boat. “Then I went on the RS Venture Boat out to sea which was a completely different experience. “For a start you are part of a team of four people, so you can’t just do whatever you like, it’s also a much heavier boat so turning it takes a lot more time and effort. It’s much more serious sailing.” Sussex Sailability relies on experienced sailors who volunteer their time to run the sessions, allowing people with disabilities the chance to learn and enjoy the sport in a safe and controlled environment on the charity’s specially adapted boats. Those using the facilities might be completely new to sailing, like Patrick, or they could be sailors who have become disabled through accident or illness. Patrick said, “If it wasn’t for our wonderful volunteers, giving up their time to help us, none of us would have the opportunity to sail. “It just wouldn’t happen. What they give people is a lifeline. It will be exciting to have a new clubhouse and better facilities that will cater for everyone. “Sometimes it’s the small things which make a big difference.”

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Sailing in Scotland - September 2019 Part 1

Delayed Commodore's Cup finally runs to delight of Annette Walter

Welwyn Garden City Sailing Club were finally able to get their Commodore's Cup event run after high winds forced them to postpone for a week - but only after heavy fog had lifted from Stanborough Lakes. The wind improved as the day went on with the destination of the trophy decided by two one-hour pursuit races. Both were won by Annette Walter who was one of the first boats away and was never caught. Alan Campbell, Roger Morse and Patrick Rohart in their bigger boats fought for the podium positions without getting close to the winner in either race, their compensation a bottle of wine. The Backbone Tankard, which goes to the highest place helm who has not won a silver trophy event in the last five years, was won by Shaun Smale. Most were put off by the weather and the fleet's numbers were reduced further when youngsters Oscar and Ned pulled out before the end. After warming up they were rewarded with a box of Heroes for their effort.

Grantham pupils take to the water for sailing sessions

Pupils at a specialist secondary school in Grantham took to the water for sailing lessons last term. Year 8 pupils from Greenfields Academy took part in a series of sailing lessons as they worked towards their Adventure Service Challenge (ASC) Award. The ASC Award is ‘a scheme that provides school staff with a progressive programme of activity for a wide ability range to motivate young people with creative activities’. Sailing lessons took place at Hykeham Sailing Club with the Lincolnshire District Sailing Association. Pupils learned the basics of launch, propelling and steering single hull boats. Some pupils even progressed to individually helm their boats and to right their boat in capsize situations. Two pupils in particular made excellent progress and showed great determination to overcome the challenging environment and learn the complex skills of tacking and jibing – changing course on the water. Individual progress is a particular focus of the scheme which aims for the pupils taking part not to be in competition with each other – instead their progress is assessed on the measure of their own personal achievement. Andy Rush, physical and outdoor education lead, said: “Sailing provides a great platform for pupils to develop self-esteem, independence and problem-solving, as a side-effect of learning new and complex physical skills associated with the sport. “For our pupils, the positive impact from the sensation of being ‘on the water’ on their emotional welbeing can be profound.” One pupil added: “When I am sailing on the lake, it feels like I am escaping but in control. I feel excited but calm.” Greenfields Academy were awarded the Silver Sports Mark Award last academic year for their commitment to PE and school sport, particularly placing a great emphasis on providing opportunities outside of school. Formerly The Phoenix Academy, Greenfields Academy, on Great North Road, is a specialist school for pupils with social, emotional or mental health needs and joined Grantham’s Community Inclusive Trust last year. The trust already has a number of Grantham schools under its wing including Grantham Additional Needs Fellowship (Ambergate Sports College and Sandon School), Isaac Newton Primary School, Caythorpe Primary School and Poplar Farm Primary School.

Young sailors’ 24 Hour Sail and Big Brunch for Children in Need

The children of Salterns Sailing Club will again be raising funds for the BBC Children in Need appeal on 15th and 16th November with a 24 hour ‘Sail-a-thon.’ This is the 21st year that Lymington’s sailing club for children will be supporting Children in Need and all are invited on Saturday morning to The Big Salterns Brunch at the clubhouse in Maiden Lane, where the Junior Committee and their helpers will be serving hot drinks and food for donations to Children in Need - the perfect pit-stop during a walk around the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve! The Sail-a-thon will be starting at 4.30pm this Friday, 15th November. Commodore Freya Baddeley and Pudsey Bear will be joined at the start by members of the UK National and Regional Sailing Squads, all of whom learnt to sail at Salterns, including 2019 National Optimist Champion Santi Sesto-Cosby and 2019 National Junior Optimist Champion Emma Breese. “The 24 hour Sail-a-thon is a big challenge for the young sailors of Salterns each year”, said Freya Baddeley, aged 16 and a Sixth Form student at Bournemouth School for Girls. “We sail in shifts around the clock, throughout the night - no matter how cold, wet and windy the conditions. Pudsey 2012 at Salterns Sailing Club“Over the last 20 years, Salterns sailors have raised over £150,000 for the BBC Children in Need appeal - not bad for a small sailing club run by children! “This year we hope to raise as much as possible and we welcome visitors to walk to the club and enjoy our Big Salterns Brunch from 7am to 2pm, and have a go at our Tombola and Silent Auction - all in aid of children in need. It’s also a great opportunity for non-members to find out more about the club!” Throughout the 24 hours, members of Salterns Sailing Club, all aged under 17, will take it in turn to sail on the Eight Acre Pond. The Junior Committee have organised a number of fun sessions for the younger sailors, including seamanship races, 'silly sailing' and Scow rides for the youngest members. Older children will be participating in the Grand Finale of the Moth and Tera race series which has taken place over the season and having the great adventure of sailing at night. Members of the Lymington Lifeboat crew will be joining the 24 hour Sail-a-thon at around 11.30am on Saturday for their annual ‘Optimist Race’ - a hilarious trial of skill, determination and speed as grown men attempt to sail in boats made for children! Definitely worth watching! If you would like to support the Junior Committee and children of Salterns Sailing Club in raising funds for Children in Need, donate at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/salterns-sailing-club2019 Find out more about Salterns Sailing Club, including membership at: www.salternssailingclub.co.uk

OVERLORD YOUTUBE

Noah's Ark docks in UK

Designer of the 70-metre long boat, Dutch artist and TV producer Sir Aad Peters, said it is not a Christian centre, but instead hopes the ark can be a centre of learning, where people from a range of cultures and beliefs can come together and share their stories. Inside the vessel are sculptures telling the story of the Bible, as well as a museum which includes a 12ft tall tree of life. The ship arrived at Orwell Quay early on Saturday morning and Sir Peters hopes it will be there for at least three months. Over 500,000 visitors have stepped on board the dog friendly ark since it first set sail in 2010, previously having visited Germany, the Netherlands and Norway. This is the first time it has docked in the UK. The boat will be open to visitors on 15th November.

Baden Powell setting off for a trip down the river Ouse 2019

ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE - SAIL DIARY - Follow our BKA team's adventures

YMCA Newcastle Sailing Expedition- Summer 2019

Hugo Boss arrives in Cape Verde Islands and puts focus on Vendee Globe

(Friday 8th November 2019), shortly after 08:00 UTC, Alex Thomson and Neal McDonald arrived safely into the Cape Verde Islands onboard the Hugo Boss yacht. The skippers, who had been racing in the 4,350 mile double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre race from Le Havre, France to Salvador, Brazil, were forced to retire from the race when their IMOCA 60 race boat, Hugo Boss, hit an unknown object submerged in the water. The incident, which occurred on the morning of Sunday 3rd November – when Thomson and McDonald were just over a third of the way into the race – left the pair with no choice but to detach their 4.5m long keel from the yacht and abandon their attempts to finish what was their debut race onboard the new Hugo Boss boat. After cutting the keel free from the boat, the skippers – with support from their technical team based in Gosport on the UK’s south coast – embarked upon an 800 nautical mile journey to the Cape Verde Islands in order to bring themselves, and the boat, to safety. This morning, Thomson and McDonald were greeted by members of their technical team in Sao Vincente, Cape Verde, and together they brought the yacht safely into port. Upon arrival, Thomson said: “It was a pretty scary experience for both of us and we’re very pleased to be on dry land safely with the team. “From here, the next steps are to lift the boat out of the water in order to do a thorough assessment of the damage. We will then bring the boat back to the UK so that we can begin the necessary repair work, with a view to getting back out on the water as soon as possible. “This is of course a setback, but the team will be doing everything in its power to move swiftly forwards. As for our objective to win the Vendée Globe in 2020-21? Nothing changes. That remains the sole focus of our team”.