Belfast Lough Sailability
The work of Belfast Lough Sailability is to encourage and enable people with a diverse
range of disabilities onto the water to experience and enjoy the sport of sailing.
These efforts have now reached the point that in March 2009 it is hoped to take
deliver of a Paralympic Class boat with the aim to send a team to compete at the
2012 Paralympic Games.
Over the last 6 years, the fleet has been increased from the initial two Squib dinghies
to include four additional Access 303 wide dinghies. This has enabled Belfast Lough
Sailability to train, educate and encourage more people with disabilities afloat.
The Access dinghies are specially built to cater for the needs of disabled sailors.
These particular boats are especially ideal where one to one tuition is required.
They are also a great favourite with younger sailors who can achieve a level of
freedom and independence not normally possible on land.
Sailability have their own RYA qualified dinghy instructors as well
as a team of RYA qualified disability awareness trainers who regularly host awareness
events to educate able-bodied helpers in working with disabled persons.The team
have hosted local groups from Coleraine, Jordanstown Schools, Donaghadee and Ballyholme
as well as groups from England (12 wheelchair users and helpers). Belfast
Lough Sailability is a voluntary charity, established in 2002, which relies solely
on volunteers to assist in the co-ordination of activities as well as enabling prospective
disabled sailors to get afloat. They rely on the support of the community
and contributions from Organisations to raise the necessary funds to purchase essential
waterproof clothing, safety equipment and boats.