WETA's for disabled people

Please select your home edition

Edition

WETA's for disabled people

by Mike Wood on 10 Dec 2016

Best performanc with crew to ballance the boat Mike Wood

While the Paralympic world ponders the technicalities of disabled people you may be interested to know that disabled people in the UK have been sailing and racing them for over 10 years.

The UK's Disabled Sailors Association (DSA) has a small fleet of Wetas and either provides dinghy sailing free of charge to disabled people or loans boats to people who promise to use them on a regular basis.

Rod steering is very positive © Mike Wood

Rod steering is very positive © Mike Wood

It is very easy indeed to adapt the Weta and the DSA provides modifications which allow any disability to sail them, single handed or with one or two crew. The most popular 'mod' is fitting a racing seat on the centre line allowing severely disabled people to enjoy this versatile craft.

Two Wetas are kept on the Mar Menor in Southern Spain which allows all year round sailing and racing and inexpensive holidays.

Spanish National Team members try a Weta in 2011 © Mike Wood

Spanish National Team members try a Weta in 2011 © Mike Wood

Very comfortable © Mike Wood

Very comfortable © Mike Wood

Wetas will sail with and rig combination © Mike Wood

Wetas will sail with and rig combination © Mike Wood

Easy access to seat © Mike Wood

Easy access to seat © Mike Wood

If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.yachtsandyachting.com/150331

Related Articles

New wooden boat stage to debut at the SIBS 2025
Bringing together leading wooden boatbuilding organisations for inspiring talks, demos, & workshops The Southampton International Boat Show 2025 will welcome an exciting new addition to its ten-day programme with the launch of the Wooden Boat Stage, a platform dedicated to celebrating the craft and culture of British wooden boatbuilding.
Posted today at 12:48 pm

DF95 Summer Series at Barton's Point week 4
Usual front-runners missing, and holiday paddleboards appear instead A balmy 7-11 knot south westerly and 9 members turned out for 13 races, missing normal front end runners Dave Adams, Mike Brand and Rob Owens. Ralph Wilkinson officiated and Alan Hounsell set the courses.
Posted today at 11:15 am

Hansa TT at Northampton
26 boats from across the country as far afield as Chesil and Glasgow The Hansa TT Traveller Series returned to Northampton on 26th July with 26 boats from nine clubs across the country as far afield as Chesil and Glasgow.
Posted today at 8:56 am

Flying Fifteen Worlds start today
Super hot fleet set for racing in Weymouth Bay The Flying Fifteen Worlds, headline sponsored by PRO-SET Epoxy and Ovington Boats, is taking place at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) in the UK with racing set to start today in Weymouth Bay.
Posted today at 8:15 am

40th Hamilton Island Race Week starts tomorrow
The fleet of more than 155 entrants making final preparations for racing Festivities marking the 40th anniversary of Hamilton Island Race Week presented by AMEX are about to get under way, with the fleet of more than 155 entrants making final preparations for racing to commence tomorrow, Sunday August 17.
Posted today at 3:17 am

2025 Garmin ORC Worlds Day 5
Short offshore race held on the penultimate day Today's return to racing at the 2025 Garmin ORC World Championship was on the Short offshore race powered by PANTAENIUS, featuring close racing in all three classes on courses of 47.4 miles for Class A, 41.8 miles for Class B and 33.6 miles for Class C.
Posted today at 12:02 am

Flying Roos unscathed after mayhem
Brazil nosedive and collapse for'ard beam, French lose a rudder True to form, Tom Slingsby's crew, renowned for their ability to excel in chaotic conditions, were commanding the first fleet race of the day and holding the lead when major incidents with Brazil and France forced an abrupt change in proceedings.
Posted on 15 Aug

Seafarers Pennant at Overy Staithe
Charity race includes personal handicaps as well as PY The Seafarers Pennant is one of four races held at Overy Staithe sailing Club that is decided using a combination of the standard Portsmouth Yardstick handicaps for the boat being sailed and the helms performance in the previous year.
Posted on 15 Aug

Black Foils set for first ever German event
Separate incidents during Friday's practice racing mean not all 12 teams will be on the startline A sold out Saturday Race Stadium in Sassnitz is set to welcome teams to the first ever Germany Sail Grand Prix this weekend but separate incidents during Friday's practice racing mean not all 12 teams will be on the startline for this weekend's event.
Posted on 15 Aug

Double Trouble during Sassnitz SailGP Practice
Brazil hull collapses and French rudder flies off There was drama in Sassnitz during SailGP practice racing as firstly the French SailGP Team's starboard rudder broke off during a windward mark bear away, and then on the same leg Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team nose dived, with the main crossbeam collapsing.
Posted on 15 Aug