Author: linda

I have been sailing since I was a child. My parents have a 27ft.  boat.

I first became involved with Hansa 5 years ago. I trained for 2 years in my club – Yacht Club Arbon.

The President of the Swiss Hansa Association started sailing in Arbon and I met him.

I started coaching Hansa 2 years ago in Medemblik.

I feel happy for my sailors if they win. Otherwise I try to push them if they need it but most of all I support them.

For me it’s the coaching that appeals. I like to transfer the knowledge. The feeling of being on the water is great. The Hiroshima 2018 Hansa Worlds is a big event and it is good. The organisers have made a very large event. I am very happy with the organisation here.

The meaning of Inclusion to me is that all kinds of people can sail together. No Barriers.

When I leave Hiroshima, I will remember the Japanese people and especially their kindness.

If I could sail with anyone in the world it would be Jennifer Lawrence.

Sailing – SUI 2262

I Started 15 years ago but in Hansa 10 years.

Hansa is fun and it is interesting to sail in races.

I just feel good when I sail. I enjoy it very much. I like sailing all boats not just Hansa.

I like meeting people and learning from them.

It is more interesting to sail with people who are able bodied. It is good competition.

The people are very kind in Japan. The people are very open and helpful.

If I could choose anyone in the world to sail with – I would pick my existing sailing partner Christian Hiller.

When I was in my mid to late teens I was lucky that the local Rotary Club in New Zealand took me out for a sail. I was lucky to get the opportunity then.

Being out on the water and the element of the wind was appealing. Discovering little bays that you cannot see from the road was fun.

I can sail by myself. I think a lot of people, without disability, fail to understand all the things that cannot be done in life when you have a disability. However, Sailing a Hansa Liberty is one thing I can do independently.

For me it is not necessarily about winning the race but using the competition as a yardstick to improve. There are many sailors to learn from. To me, this is a stronger and bigger fleet than you would find in Para Olympic style competitions. I like the camaraderie of this event. The new sailors from many countries I meet are great to talk to and share knowledge with.

I think that inclusion means competing under a set of International Sailing Rules that are not dumbed down for “people who need less challenging courses”. Therefore on the water we are equal in ability.

When I return home, I will remember the peace dome and the peace museum as both were really moving and it made me value even more, my country’s historic stance on nuclear testing.

If I could invite anyone in the world to sail with me it would be Sir Peter Blake.

 

My first sailing day was 30 years ago with my professor from Uni. We sailed from Venice to Pula-Croatia.

When I am sailing I am really in the elements (the sea and the wind).

You become part of the elements. You have to cope with wind and waves. The other important aspect to me is that you are a part of the crew sharing all the fears and wills.

My Son, Pardo, has grown up on a sailing boat (34″ family boat in the Arctic sea). I sail Hansa 303 Double with Pardo.

The first thing is I feel SAFE. The boat is stable and comfortable.

The most important aspect of an inclusive sailing event (like 2018 Hansa Worlds) is meeting true people, hearing about their experiences and there is no hypocrisy here.

To me inclusion means FORGETTING that I have a disability. I really forget my disability here.

When I go home I will remember the people of the regatta. It is always very nice for me to meet the Hansa community. Also I will remember the Japanese people, so polite, so elegant and always smiling.

If I could invite anyone in the world to sail with me, I would like to invite my friend (almost brother). He is the one who I was sailing with last year. He got a brain aneurysm so he is now disabled. This happened one year ago and we are fighting to give him the opportunity to sail.

 

My first experience with Sailability – I first became aware of the Hansa boats, on a Thursday in 2014, as I was driving past Frensham Pond. Two weeks later I went in and investigated the set up. I said “Wow” and started volunteering. Because I already sailed, I was able to buddy within the first three weeks.

When I can help the sailor to hold the joystick and control the direction of the boat it gives me a real sense of satisfaction and warmth. As a volunteer it is seeing the pleasure on the faces of the sailors when they come back from sailing, especially someone has managed to sail solo for the first time.

I enjoy being around an event like this because it enables people to fulfill their dreams. It is the camaraderie which ensues as part of this event that I like. I am getting to know personalities of all the sailors I meet.

When I go home I will remember the friendliness, smiles, kindness and respect the Japanese people have shown us. Also the sight of all the people out on the water.

If I could take anyone in the world sailing with me it would be my daughter.

 

First time sailing approx late 1960’s.

The main aspect of sailing that drew me into coming back was – “it is easier than rowing”. I was rowing before that and using the wind was more relaxing.

Now I am coaching it is more relaxing than sailing. When competing it is a lot more stressful. I understand the sailors mentality and self-induced stress levels.

The benefit of this event? It’s the satisfaction of seeing the sailors enjoy the sport in spite of the anguish in racing. They go back again and again.

Inclusion means to me? Level and everyone is included.

When I return home I will remember the bus route – number 3.

If I could invite anyone in the world to sail with me I would invite my three grand-daughters.

I started sailing in 2001. It was scary because I cannot swim. So subsequently I continued to sail to get out of the house and to meet more friends. Initially, sailing makes me get out of the house as my father was unable to accept my disability.

It gives me a sense of freedom because I can get to any point within the boat on my own. I’m not worrying away about wheelchairs, steps etc.

Competing here is to show more people it can be done. The Hansa boat is really catering to all various people with disabilities or able bodies. Creating awareness about inclusion and that sailing is possible for anyone.

When I go home I will remember this event gives me an opportunity to race with over 50 Hansa boats and I have never done that before. The organisers are doing a good job – lots of volunteers especially with the launching and recovery help.

If I could sail with anyone in the world it would be my MUM.

 

This is my first experience at attending an International Regatta with my family.

When Sarah and Craig come out of the boat I feel very emotional. I am very proud to be here supporting them.

A regatta like this is very uplifting. To see how everyone helps each other to make this happen.

Inclusion means to me that it is good that not only sailors are invited but I am welcome to attend and enjoy as a spectator. Their Dad passed away when the kids were young and I wish he could be here to witness this. He was my son.

I will remember everything about Hiroshima. The organisation, the entertainment, the local regular bus services, the polite, courteous people and the smiles!!!

If I could invite anyone to come and experience what I have here, it would be my whole family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first time I sailed was in Australia racing a Liberty.

I had a chance to travel in Canada to watch cruising yachts racing and I liked it. This is the reason I started to sail.

I feel very free. It is very safe. Liberty and 303 has enough speed for me to enjoy sailing. I like the numbers of people racing in Hansa and because of this we now have these great opportunities to sail. This is very exciting.

I like the racing. This type of event gives me the chance to race with many people. This is the best thing for me. The 24 nationalities here is such a good thing. Sailing these boats is quiet and the boat is very fast.

Inclusion – We are doing things together. If I only sail as a disabled sailor the fleet is very small but if we have inclusive sailing we have various people attending and a bigger fleet. I enjoy the growing number of boats in each race. We are doing things together.

When I go home I will remember the lack of wind and prepare for future racing in light winds. I will consider how I have to cover my handicap to race well.

If I could sail with anyone in the world, it would be a Japanese fast sailor.

I started sailing Hansa in summer three years ago. Through my work as a Program Officer (social worker) I came across the Hansa boats at Sailability Hong Kong.

Not only is this sport for disability but for all people to enjoy and I think this is meaningful.

When I sail I am still getting used to it. I am not very familiar with the tactics yet. I am excited because there is still lots about sailing to explore.

As this is my first time in an International event, the first thing is that I feel in harmony with everybody as there is much diversity. I can now think more about how to facilitate disability into sports. Just a little modification to the boat and off they go!

Inclusion means to me that all diverse groups can start together and compete together equally.

When I go home I will remember the racing because I sail with my buddy (Wing Kit) and he is a child with mild brain disability and autism. I think this is a great opportunity to work with each other in a sailing boat. It will increase our problem solving skills as we have to discuss solutions on the water.