Plymouth All Aboard Sailing Festival at Mount Batten Centre
by Sam Waites 29 Jun 2011 11:42 BST
26 June 2011
Plymouth All Aboard Festival © Jodie Tookey / Radio Plymouth
50 adults and young people with disabilities took part in the Plymouth All Aboard Sailing Festival at the Mount Batten Centre last Sunday, 26 June.
On a very sunny day, with brisk force 4/5 winds, twelve teams from special schools, sailing clubs and disability sailing charities in the Plymouth area entered the event, which was sponsored by the Cattewater Harbour Commission.
There were two main sailing events. The winners of the Hawk 20 regatta in Plymouth Sound were from Horizons, while the ‘Beat the Stig’ course set up in front of the Centre produced two winners, competing in Access 303 dinghies. David Walker and Ryan Sturgess each won a trip for four to watch the Americas Cup world series in Plymouth in September (donated by the Mount Batten Centre).
For those unable to participate in the sailing, Horizons brought their specially-designed motor yacht Friendship so that everyone could watch the racing and the Fire Brigade brought the fire boat as well as a fire engine to entertain those not sailing.
Katy Wedgwood, Plymouth Special Schools, Sports Co-ordinator, was delighted with the way things went: "It is fantastic that all ages can sail together; watching some of the adults sailing is inspiring the young people to improve and compete."
Amongst those entering were young people from local clubs Plymouth Youth Sailing, Horizons and Mount Batten Centre, which are all members of RYA OnBoard, the scheme which introduces youngsters of all backgrounds and abilities to sailing and windsurfing. Horizons, as well as Drakes and Wheels on Water, which also brough sailors, are supported by RYA Sailability, the charity that helps people with disabilities to sail.
The festival was organised by RYA OnBoard Development Officer Stuart Jones, Mount Batten Centre’s Watersports and Activities Manager, Sam Waites and RYA Regional Club Coach Tim Cross.For more information about how to get involved in sailing visit the RYA’s website www.rya.org.uk or the OnBoard website www.ruob.co.uk