Please select your home edition
Edition
Musto 2023 Hikers LEADERBOARD

Introducing the Andrew Cassell Foundation - helping disabled sailors reach maximum independence

by Ian Wyllie 29 Jan 2024 17:41 GMT
Jazz Turner prepares to board the Sonar from her wheelchair © Andrew Cassell Foundation

The Andrew Cassell Foundation has a unique role in helping disabled sailors reach maximum independence on the water. Using Sonar keelboats the Foundation focuses on racing and race training with - and against - able bodied crews on a level playing field and equal terms. Each year the charity develops mixed crews of abled and disabled people to compete effectively in the growing Sonar fleet during Cowes Week.

Matt Grier the director said: "We encourage a sense of ownership in our participants by becoming part of the Foundation family. Our expectation is that they commit to sailing, including caring for boats properly and racing them with commitment. In return we mentor and support them to achieve at the highest levels."

Andrew (Andy) Cassell, the noted sailmaker and former owner of Ratsey and Lapthorn in Cowes founded the charity after he won a gold medal at the Paralympics. He wanted participants to have the same experience he had of being welcomed and accepted in a succession of racing fleets without regard to his significant physical disability. He remains actively involved as Patron of the charity.

Louise, a volunteer with the Foundation since 2020 said: "Each sailor, new or experienced, has taught me about themselves and how no disability effects two people in the same way. ACF understands this individuality and I have learnt to support each sailor and ensure they achieve their goals both on and off of the water. Our growing team are defying limits, racing competitively and bringing home top results."

Independence on the water never has a single meaning. We don't expect a blind and deaf participant to be a solo helm in a fully integrated racing fleet, but we have qualified one of our sailors in this situation to be a fully effective and independent mainsheet trimmer on a Sonar. By contrast, participants with multiple amputations have gone on to be independent skippers of the Sonar, and then boat owners enjoying cruising Europe and wider waters.

Ian Wyllie, who sails with the after effects of Spinal Cord Injury, said "The Foundation was a key part of my rehabilitation journey from being in a nursing home to cruising independently. The quality of their training and mentoring coupled with the competitive stakes of the race course was key to my rapid development and has allowed me to achieve more than I could imagine."

Disabled participants face very significant challenges in crossing the gap between supported disability sailing activity and being an independent member of a club, a boat owner or regular crew in a team. The Foundation provides mentoring and support to help participants progress in the sport, and to overcome barriers to integration.

Bex, one of our neurodiverse participants, said, "I'm able to take opportunities I couldn't have otherwise. It's not just the sailing - when we race I'm respected as an integral crew member. It was never in my dreams to be competing for podiums at Cowes Week, but now it's a reality."

Find out about racing, volunteering or donating at acfsailing.org

Related Articles

Back to School ROTTERs at Ripon Sailing Club
A bumper turn out of 28 sailors for the session The training team at Ripon Sailing Club have been very busy over the summer running RYA courses for both adult and junior members. As a result there was a bumper turn out of 28 sailors for the Back to School ROTTERs session on Saturday 6th September. Posted today at 10:59 am
54th West Lancs 24 Hour Race this weekend
First staged in 1967, one of the great fixtures of the UK dinghy sailing calendar West Lancashire Yacht Club's famous 24-Hour Race is back this weekend. The 54th edition of the race once again brings Southport's Marine Lake to life, powered by the energy of sailors, volunteers and supporters who keep this unique tradition thriving. Posted today at 9:30 am
RYA Impact Award for Chris Cox
For his work coordinating the recent Association of Dunkirk Little Ships 85th Return to Dunkirk On Saturday 6th September the Mayor of Ramsgate Cllr. Laurie Hudson, her Consort Martin Hudson and Town Sergeant Paul Revuelta were present at the Royal Temple Yacht Club (RTYC) to present the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Impact Award to Chris Cox. Posted today at 9:29 am
Dolan battles injury as Leg 1 Endgame begins
A niggling hand injury in the Solitaire du Figaro Kingspan skipper Tom Dolan sought medical attention on Tuesday for a niggling hand injury he had picked up within an hour of the start. Posted today at 8:33 am
RS400 Open at Notts County
A massive ten race weekend makes it all a bit of a blur I apologise in advance for what will likely be a poor recollection of the weekend - I've made the mistake of leaving report writing until Tuesday evening and we sailed 10 races, so it's all a bit of a blur. Posted today at 8:30 am
Ferry Marina Solo Inlands at Grafham
Oliver Davenport is untouchable right now Grafham Water Sailing Club would be our hosts and with a forecast of moderate winds and an air temperature enhanced by an airstream directly from Somalia. Posted today at 8:29 am
K1 Nationals at the WPNSA
Hawkes Jr. claims crown in record-breaking event A new generation triumphs as the K1 fleet doubles in size, delivering three days of epic racing and a thrilling father-son showdown. Posted today at 8:06 am
RYA Scotland Impact Award for Pete Wright
Fairlie Yacht Club stalwart honoured with surprise award presented by pro sailor son Long-serving Fairlie Yacht Club volunteer Pete Wright was left speechless during the 2025 Largs Regatta Festival when honoured with an RYA Scotland Impact Award in a surprise presentation led by Fairlie Sailing Club Commodore Calum McPhee. Posted today at 6:39 am
Flying Jenny Crowned Cape 31 Season Champion
After Six Rounds of Fierce Racing The 2025 Cape 31 season wrapped up after six spectacular rounds, showcasing one of the most competitive one-design fleets on the water. Posted today at 6:27 am
Musto GP14 Masters Championship at South Cerney
Strong, gusty and shifty winds with rain in the Cotswolds South Cerney Sailing Club, within the Cotswolds gravel pit water park, welcomed the GP14 fleet for the South Cerney GP14 open and the Musto National Masters Championship. Posted today at 5:27 am