Sailability WA is run by safety trained volunteers who share their love of sailing with people with disabilities, with over 450 people taking part annually.

Members can participate in all manner of club activities, from trying sailing to club racing and high performance competitions. The paralympic team sailing from the Royal Perth Yacht Club is an inspiration to all sailors with disabilities.

Each week sailing opportunities are offered to people of all abilities in easy access boats, assisted by an experienced skipper and volunteer staff, with on water support provided for all activities. Hoists are provided for wheelchair users to transfer into the boats.

Rachael Cox, who was the Sailabilty WA Coordinator, said “many of the participants that sail with us experience a renewed sense of freedom and independence from taking part in the sailing program. Sailing is particularly beneficial for children and young people with disabilities, as we can demonstrate that there is an activity they can participate, enjoy, and excel in, regardless of their ability. Feedback from professional carers and organisations indicate that many of our regular sailor’s lives have been greatly improved through the social interaction and physical activity gained from the program”.

To assist the sailors at sea, the Sailability crew have been using a heavy aluminium support boat, that has proved most unsuitable from a safety perspective as fingers and hands can get caught during sea manoeuvres and the aluminium boat has been increasing the wear and tear on the fibreglass sail boats used in the program.

For more information visit: http://www.sailability.org/au/wa/