West Coast Sailing

Wheelchair Accessible Sailing!

Jonny gets reward for dedication in helping blind sailors

A SAILOR from Milnthorpe has been presented with a prestigious award for his 18 years as a volunteer with GBR Blind Sailing. Jonny Cormack received the award from the President of the Royal Yachting Association HRH the Princess Royal at a ceremony in London. This summer, Mr Cormack guided the Great Britain team to a world championship at the Blind Fleet Racing World Championships in Ontario, Canada. Each team is allowed a sighted tactician and he filled that role for the GBR B3 team with amazing success. The tournament was the latest highlight of Mr Cormack's sailing career which began at the age of two aboard his father's boat on Windermere. He loved the sport so much he eventually became an instructor and now manages the Windermere Outdoor Adventure Centre. It was during his career at a similar centre in Rochdale that he first began to champion disabled sailing and 20 years ago became associated with blind sailing. As well as helping with the training of visually impaired sailors, much of it on Windermere, Mr Cormack regularly competes as a sighted crew to assist and advise the others on the boat. He is not allowed to handle any of the boat's controls, only able to give information verbally. However he says he has learnt much from the visually impaired sailors and says they can sense if the boat is not performing to its potential from its motion before those with sight detect what is wrong. Mr Cormack has competed in four World Blind Sailing Championships as tactician, helping the B3 Team win two silvers and a gold. He also serves on the charity's committee, helping to raise funds and organise training and team travel, including accommodation. The citation for Mr Cormack's award describes him as someone who "encourages everyone and is always looking at ways the charity can grow and support more people". He said it was an honour to get the award and described the accolade as "amazing."

Plymouth Youth Sailing 1/12/19

£16,000 donation puts wind in sails of Isle of Wight disabled sailing charity

A £16,000 DONATION from the Isle of Wight Foundation has put wind in the sails of an Island charity that offers recreational boating opportunities for adults and children with physical and learning disabilities. Cowes Sailability Club will put the money towards a specially designed Island-built motorboat that is fully wheelchair accessible. It will enable the club to offer life-enriching experiences and build disabled people’s confidence by providing access to the sea in a fun, safe and rewarding way. Fundraising officer Trish Rooke said: “This grant is a tremendous boost for us. "Though we are based in Cowes, we are an all-Island charity so a great many people will be able to benefit from the new opportunities this fantastic new boat will bring. “People with disabilities often have difficulty finding an accessible outdoor activity and as a result sometimes can feel isolated but this new motorboat will help Cowes Sailability Club continue to support members with many different kinds of disabilities.” Commodore Paul Wilks said: “The total cost of the boat is around £96,000 so this money is a huge step towards us achieving our target. It is being built by Cheetah Marine of Ventnor and the fact that a local company is supplying the new boat makes the project extra special." Donations towards the boat can be made at www.cowessailability.co.uk Cowes Sailability Club is the latest organisation to receive a grant from the Isle of Wight Foundation, comprised of the companies behind Island Roads, this year. Each year, the foundation gives grants of between £3,000 and £16,000 to Island charities, good causes and organisations working to tackle social exclusion.

Mirror Dinghy sail in December

Rollesby Broad part of the Norfolk Broads

This giant 40-knot trimaran is out to smash the round the world record

STEM Crew | Nutrition

4K KTL 14 The Jouney North Falmouth to Oban part 1

World Sailing Show - December 2019

Luxury boat builder begins recruitment drive for 150 new staff

A Norfolk boat builder has announced it is hiring 150 new employees in a bid to keep up with demand from around the world. Oyster Yachts is looking to up its headcount to more than 420 people by February 2020 across a range of roles. These include laminators, boat builders, joiners, electricians and engineers. The roles will be hired across the luxury boat builder's sites, in both Wroxham and Ashmanhaugh as well as further afield in Southampton. Oyster owner and chief executive Richard Hadida, said: "This represents a hugely exciting time for Oyster. It is wonderful to see the brand returned to its former glory, with a full order book and a dedicated team of people in Wroxham, Southampton and Ashmanhaugh building beautiful sailing yachts, using the best of British craftsmanship. "We look forward to welcoming many more on board in the coming months." Mr Hadida bought the company in March 2018 and has since invested heavily in the brand.

The Needles, Sailing The English Channel.