Sailors and Testers Comments

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Read below the comments, stories and articles written by Sailors and Journalists of their experiences sailing Access Dinghies.

Simon Harle
"On land I totally depend on other people, but in a boat away from the jetty I become my own man. I have control of what I want to do and where I want to go-I'd like you to know how much being free, feeling capable and self reliant means to me"
Simon Harle (cerebral palsy)

Cavin Jukes
Winner of the New Forest (West) Sports Council Awards January 2006
At the age of 2 Calvin developed a serious brain illness which left him with damaged cerebellum and spine. This affected his motor skills including movement, co-ordination and even mouth muscles which in turn affected his speech. Calvin came to Sailability in May 2005 aged 15. He enjoyed sailing from the start but was very nervous. However, he quickly grasped the basics and it wasn’t long before he went out in a single-sailed boat by himself. He progressed to sailing our bigger boats, confidently managing both mainsail and jib. During the latter part of the summer he joined a race training group and has continued to develop his skills. Reports from his school have been very positive, giving him common ground with his dyslexic teacher (also a sailor), improving his conversation and communication skills generally. Sailing has boosted his confidence and self esteem. Calvin has also helped the group by taking part in fund raising.

Keith Harris
Hi!
I am Keith Harris. I am 32 years old and I have been disabled from the age of 6 months, having contracted a severe ‘flu virus.This virus destroyed my nervous system which controls movement, leaving me unable to move any of my limbs. I use my mouth and tongue to control a variety of equipment including computer, electric wheelchair and sailing dinghy. Having sailed on and off since the age of 132 I now sail three times a week at Spinnaker Club in Ringwood. Last year I started travelling around England to sailing events for disabled sailors. Being extremely competitive, I found a sport in which I can excel. In 2012 I hope to compete in the Paralympics in London.

Jenny Monger
I originally had my own Equestrian business, training problem horses for other people.
In l990 I contracted several viruses including Asian and Hong Kong Flu, also Coxsackie B virus, this can paralyse you. I was lucky only to be bed ridden for several months and housebound for several years.
Over the last 16 years I have tried many things to regain my health including a move to the New Forest , which is a wonderful place to live.
I bought a young foal and thought that I would be well enough to ride him by the time he was 4 yrs old. In 2003 I did manage to break him in and he was going very well, until one day when trying to get off in a hurry I fell over sideways and could not get up. The hospital told me I had broken my spine in 2 places, and probably had broken it before as well; no wonder it was painful to ride! I had severe Osteoporosis of the spine, and osteoarthritis like a 90 yr old. Needless to say I was devastated, because that meant I would not be able to ride again and I had to sell my horses. My husband had just had a serious back operation, followed by a car accident so he was out of action as well. Our sons, who both live away from home, took annual leave to help look after us and the horses.
A year later I discovered New Forest Sailability and it was only just down the road from me, how lucky is that! I went along to the Spinnaker Sailing Club, Blashford and was taken out in a specially adapted dinghy, by Rory who was extremely helpful, so after trying several cushions in different positions to get comfortable, I was out in the fresh air again enjoying something new. The highlight a few weeks later was when I could sail on my own, I am sure that it gives all the Sailability sailors a good feeling on being able to sail and be out in the lovely setting on the lake. During last year we have also been able to take part in race training, there are lots of things to remember here, not least the bit about giving way to other boats according to what tack you are on – so watch this space, Olympics 2012 here we come? The volunteers are all very friendly, extremely helpful and cater for lots of different disabilities.

Eric Blyth
My sailing started when I was about eight when I used to spend all my spare time at Eling Sailing Club at the lower end of Southampton Water. When I was about sixteen I found I had less and less time for sailing with work and socialising. By twenty-five I was married my wife was not a sailor so we pursued other interests .At thirty nine, with two sons of two and four, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At that time I could still run two miles or so, but would sometimes unexplainably trip. Slowly over the last twenty years I have deteriorated through using one walking stick then two and now I am dependent on a wheelchair, just able to stand to transfer.
In May 2001, thirty nine years since I sailed regularly, I had the opportunity to do a weeks cruising on the Solent in a 36ft yacht with the Gwennili Trust. On this trip a fellow disabled sailor, Dave, who was partially sighted, would push my wheelchair when we were ashore and I would steer,this way Dave felt safer as he was less likely to walk off the side of the pontoons and quays plus as a team both of us could keep up with the rest of the crew. On board I could get around without the wheelchair.
In conversation Dave told me that for the last few weeks he had been sailing at New Forest & District Sailability in Ringwood but no longer had any way of getting there, so as I drive I arranged to take him the following week, this continued for the rest of the season and still does when he wishes to go.
By October 2001 all the original committee had retired for some reason or other and NFDS looked as if it was going to fold up so between the five sailors and three volunteers that was NFDS we formed a committee, myself as Chairman (only because I had my own chair). With none of us having any committee experience and very little funds in the kitty, we got through the 2002 season, gaining a number of new members one being Rory.
Early in 2003 NFDS advertised in the local press which brought in about 20 new members Rory took on the job of sailing captain and organised the volunteers. We extended our Tues sailing times from 2.00 - 4.00 to 10.00 - 4.00. All was going well. In 2004 NFDS extended the sessions to Tues and Fri 10.00 to 4.00 the group also received a number of donations and went from strength to strength.
The 2005 season started with about 40 volunteers and two new dinghies on the water and provided nearly 800 individual sailings for people with disabilities throughout the season.
Now, in 2008, we have 13 boats, a volunteer force of 70 and take over 150 sailors on the water.
Comment from Rory: Much of our success is due to Eric’s dedication, hard work and personality.

Gregory Mott
Gregory was not expected to live beyond his first birthday, he is now 51 (1996).
Born with cerebal palsy, he is severely disabled. He has some controlled movement in his left wrist but even that is limited. He communicates through typing or through his brother Chris.
Chris Mitchell, designer and manufacturer of the Access dinghy had contacted the Spastic Centre, Sidney, to ask whether anyone would be willing to trial one of his Access dinghies. Greg volunteered.
Greg writes, the date was set for me to try and do something that I had never dreamt that I would be able to do in my life. On the day, I caught a modified cab to Narabeen Lake, where I was going to try to conquer the boat and the elements.
After about an hour of trying to get me comfortable and to get the controls in the position it was time to go sailing.
It took a bit of time for me to get used to the breeze and which way to go. Once I had worked all that out I was on my own; there was another boat close by, just in case of any difficulties (which there weren't).
The feeling I had while out there steering a sailing boat is indescribable, my adrenaline was pumping because for the first time in my life I had full control of everything, it was me the wind and the water. It was like there was nothing around, just me. There were people singing out to me from the shore but they were oblivious to me because all my concentration was going into sailing into the wind.
I have never had this feeling before; my concentration was broken only because someone in the other boat came over and said it was time to go back to the shore.
When I reached the shore, Phil said he thought that that was the first time a person with a disability such as mine had ever sailed a boat by themselves. This gave me a thrill but nothing will ever beat the thrill I received out of sailing that boat on my own.
I would like to thank everyone involved for allowing me to have the greatest experience of my life. Greg continued to sail the Access 2.3 and went on to beat 12 other disabled sailors in a race over a windward leeward course at a sailing regatta on Lake Burley Griffin in February 1996.

Amy's Story
Ame was born with no arms and only half a leg. She uses her three toes for eating, writing and fulfilling her passion for sailing. Eight years old Ame won a silver medal in the 1997 Access dinghy championships held in Camberra.
Ame writes:
I am writing to tell you how I felt when I first went sailing.
It was on the Wranga Basin, there wasn't much wind and Mum and Dad were close by and I just floated around.
The National Championships in Camberra was different, I was racing and the wind was much stronger. I was scared at first but got braver. Mum and Dad were far away, I didn't mind, I felt safe. The boat was easy to steer; twice the boat tipped and the sail touched the water. Once I learn all the tricks of sailing and I listen to what Chris says I'd like to go in the 2000 Olympics.
I can sail better than Kate and Robert. I was very happy when I received my silver medal from Kay Cottee. Just think if I listen to Chris, Next time I might win gold.
Kay Cottee, the first woman to sail solo around the world non-stop, presented Ame with her medal.

David Burrel (the photo is not of David but does show a servo controlled Access)
Cloud Nine.
I was born with a rare condition called arthrogryposis. I am confined to an electric wheelchair all the time. At least I thought I would be, until I discovered Sailability and Access Dinghies.
I went along to a come and try day at Lilydale Lake in Melbourne and there I met Chris Mitchell who had designed the dinghies. I was a bit nervous about having a go but once I got into the electric dinghy all my nerves vanished. I felt a marvellous sense of freedom, which I had never experienced before. For once I was out of my wheelchair and I never wanted to get back into it. I was hooked on sailing! Of course I had a lot to learn but the motivation was there.
Chris asked me if I would like to compete in the National Championships in Canberra on Lake Burley Griffin and I thought I would have a go to gain experience. The first heats were held on the Saturday. You can imagine how excited I was when I even managed to win a race, especially when the electric boat enabled me to compete against able-bodied as well as disabled sailors, something which I didn’t think I would ever be able to do. The next day I couldn't believe it when I found out I'd won a gold medal for the servo-assisted boats. Also it was such an honour to have Kay Cottee present the medal- and if that wasn't enough I also won the Greg Mott perpetual trophy. This award meant so much to me as I had been inspired by Greg after seeing the video, which featured him.I left Canberra on cloud nine knowing there is no way I will ever give up sailing and that I will always be grateful to Chris for designing such a great little boat which has opened up a whole new life for me.

Robert Keeley (Sailing Journalist.) (The photo is not of Robert but shows the Access 2.3)

I took the Access 2.3 for a spin on an overcast day at Albert Park Lake, located a few miles south of Melbourne's central business district. There was not much wind, though in occasional gusts it may have reached 6 knots. The dinghy needs a few feet of water to launch because the heavy centreboard immediately sinks into position once it is located into the slot.
The seating position, which looks like it might be uncomfortable and feels quite foreign initially, is in fact surprisingly relaxing. In light conditions it would be possible for the skipper to nod off!
Once under way the most immediately obvious characteristic was the extreme manoeuvrability of the little boat. With a lot of rocker, high buoyancy and moulded circular sections there is little drag in the hull shape and it both tacks and jybes instantly.
Up wind and down the boat had a good turn of speed for such a small sail area and it was quite close winded once the sail was sheeted in.

David Middleton (the photo is not of David but does show a servo controlled Access)
David has muscular dystrophy, a muscle wasting disease that leaves him largely immobile. Out on the water, however, in one of Windships electronically steered 2.3 Access dinghies; David can compete without handicap. "It's good fun, I really like it " says David. David comes from a family of four generations of sailors, and with the Access' revolutionary design, it mans that he is able to continue the tradition. David is studying sailing as part of his VCE physical education course, and he would like to see it become a recognised sport at the paralympics 2000 in Sydney.

Mark Rothfield (Yachting Journalist.)
The design devices combine to produce remarkable performance, making Windships Access a viable sailing class in it's own right, as I was to find out during an half hour session in winds gusting to 15 knots. It was remarkable nimble, extremely comfortable and above all great fun.
Visions of my sailing childhood came flooding back; I was five years old, about four stone, ringing wet and about three feet tall. Now, I had great doubts that this even smaller boat could successfully lug my 13.5 stone, six-foot frame. Tentatively I climbed on board and eased back into the chair, I grabbed the tiller and bore away from the shore.
The mainsheet hung in my lap and I tweaked it until the 3.5sq ft sail filled. Instantly the windship lifted her skirt and started bubbling along on a broadish reach, showing no tendency to round up or bury her blunt bow. Bravado building, I spun her into a jybe, swoosh! The boom sailed across well clear of my head. A few degrees higher. A fraction more sheet tension and still the hull remained unperturbed. Ok lets see what she can do upwind. A little heel, not too much to be upsetting, hights good, speed around two or three knots. A moored yacht loomed. Three metres, two, one, tack, flap, flap, settle on new course. Incredible response. Hey, this is sensational I giggled.
That was the story for the next 30 minutes. I stayed within a 200mtr radius for the whole time and must have done 40 tacks and jybes. There was no risk in venturing further, just no need. Accordingly can see the Windship Access making an excellent sailing school boat.

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