Month: October 2018

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.

My coach Steve basically put me on the boat and pushed me out. Zero sailing knowledge. I mastered it in 30 minutes but still had a lot to learn.

I like the feeling of freedom, the sound of no engine and no petrol smells when sailing.

I like competing here because I am learning so much from other sailors. Everybody gives you little bits and pieces of information and I have to put it together to sail well.

Inclusion means fair to me.

I will remember the happy people and the light winds when I return to New Zealand.

If I could invite anyone in the world to sail with me it would be Russell Coutts.

On Tuesday evening the Mid-week Party was held in the big marquee at Kanon Marina  …………. and what an event it was.  The entertainment included

• a dragon dance
• Ame Barnbrook – playing trumpet (AUS Liberty sailor)  together with Ando on guitar and Michio playing keyboard recorder.
• Ryan Tolly  – juggler (AUS from Vincentia High School. 303 two person)
• other acts

Photos

Download Ryan’s juggling rehearsal

DOWNLOAD RESULTS

2.3 Single Person
303 Single Person
303 Two Person
Liberty

I started sailing in 2010 in Mie, Japan. My mother’s work is as a Care Worker and I remember she went to Hansa sailing. She took us sailing on Saturdays because we don’t have school.

I feel very good because it is fast, fun and safe when I sail. I sail 2.3 single and communication with the other sailors is good. I can do it. Sailing involves every age which I love.

Here in Hiroshima, I like the cheers from the spectators and there are lots of boats in my races.

I believe inclusion means that people are all the same and the Hansa boat is inclusive. I can compete against my family members and everybody.

In Hiroshima I am meeting a lot of people who I will remember. I have lots of new Facebook friends now.

If I could sail with anyone in the world it would be difficult because I sail as a single but I want everyone in the world to try sailing Hansa boats!

I was wondering what activity I could direct the boys into that they would enjoy. I looked out of my window at home and saw these colourful boats sailing by. After making enquiries, we joined Hebe Haven Sailability.

When Leo went sailing it had taken 4 or 5 weeks to get him to get into the Hansa. He spent a lot of time on the safety boat watching. One day he leapt into a docked Hansa boat when the safety boat went past it. That was the beginning and now 5 years later we are at the 2018 Hansa Worlds.

Leo really enjoys sailing. Somehow he feels a sense of achievement and it obviously has a calming effect on him.

Sailability is a community that equalises our abilities. We only focus on sailing. This makes it inclusive sailing.

When I go home, I will remember the friendliness of everybody and the team work regardless of which country you are sailing/volunteering for. It is also very humbling for me.

If Leo could sail with anyone in the world it would be Bruno Mars because Leo likes the song Just The Way You Are. Leo also like sailing with his carer Joel.

Legends in the UK!

Each year at the beginning of August, at Rutland Sailability, we have a multi class regatta. It’s a 3 day event. In 2017 at the official dinner we sat next to each other. We talked about family and we both quite enjoyed the conversation.

Pat asked Pauline out to dinner in November 2017 (after a few Sailability club days).

At the multi class regatta official dinner, August 2018, Joff from RYA, joked in his speech that as well as sailing, romance can be found at Sailability.

Footnote from Jackie
A little more about Pauline…….  Pauline has been involved in disabled sailing for the past 25 years.  With her husband Ian, they committed their lives to the empowerment of people with disabilities through the sport of Sailing.  Under their watch Sailing was accepted into the Paralympics.  For many years Pauline was Chair of the IFDS Development Committee which saw disabled sailing grow throughout Asia and Europe.  Having lost Ian several years ago we are all very pleased that Pauline and Pat have teamed up and are travelling the world together.

The first day of sailing was on a 32 foot long boat. Sailing from Marseilles to local Islands with 5 of my friends. I was discovering sailing. It was 4 days of sailing and I loved it.

I started sailing Hansa in 2011. 303 Double. I am visually impaired, Classification B1

I like that it’s a small boat and it gives a lot of sensations to me. When you are blind you really FEEL the wind. For example when you trim the jib you immediately feel the sensation of speed (whether it is slower or faster and whether it is leaning over).
Another thing is that the controls are simple and close to me.

The Hansa is a good beginner boat. I like that I can sail with a partner because I cannot sail alone except in some situations like when I use my mobile app on my iPhone – SARA (Sail And Race Audio Guide). My team developed this software. It is made for every blind sailor and it is free on App Store.

I feel so good about being here in Hiroshima because what is very interesting is meeting lots of people from many countries, with many disabilities that are different to mine. It is a humane event and we sail together, discuss everything and we sing together. The Opening Ceremony was great.

It’s not finished so I cannot say. We come here to have a prize but for the moment it is not so easy. Day 1 we came first but the pleasure we took in the race was more important. The conditions were good and the start for us was excellent. It was nice competition with the Aussie team on the water and we won.

if I could sail with anyone in the world? I like to sail with Guyon – “Gillou”, my existing sailing partner.