Autism on The Water campaigning in the 707 class
by David Smith 29 Mar 2018 15:45 BST
Murray Macdonald is developing an organization to assist people with autism get on the water, as he believes that it helps with some of the issues of confidence and communication. This great venture has seen Murray promoting the initiative as far away as the Royal Hong Kong YC, and closer to home in Edinburgh.
This year AoTW will be campaigning a 707 which he has renamed Autism on The Water which has been supported by the 707 Association and also aided by a group of generous sponsors. Thanks must go to David Sturrock Yachting, The Foggy Pear Craft company and Pritchard Property who have kindly donated money to this venture. Additional support has also come from Riggerous and Mainsail Marine.
In 2017 Murray organised for an all-autistic crew to sail at the Geckotech 707 Nationals on the Forth. The team coped well in a variety of conditions and were welcomed by the fleet as a strongly competitive boat. We look forward to being part of the ongoing association and are keen to welcome new sailors with Autism and hope more will follow.
Murray said "I am so honoured and privileged to be part of the 707 fleet. The class have been kind and generous to us ever since they approached me last year about campaigning for the nationals. I never thought this time a year later, I'd have my own boat to race for AOTW. We have grown so much just this year alone and we owe so much thanks to the class Association for all their generosity and especially to our sponsors for making the boat a reality. We very much look forward to an exciting season competing at all the events in the 707 calendar and even a trip over to the west for West Highland Week!
"In terms of autistic involvement, we are planning many open days throughout the year with the plan to host one at Port Edgar the day before Edinburgh Cup begins. I am also investigating further possibilities to involve autistic people in our race campaign with the boat or assist them in accessing a appropriate sailing course for them," said Murray.
For more information on this outstanding initiative please contact Murray via email or the Autism on The Water Facebook page.