Access Dinghies
Access Dinghies


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News

TELLTALES - NOVEMBER 2004
Volume 6 Issue 1

1. Editorial - From Jackie
2. The Next Generation (RYA Sailability) - Geoff Holt
3. Universal 18 Update - Chris Mitchell
4. From Switzerland
5. On the Road Again ? - Ian Anderson (Malaysia)
6. The Access Dinghy Hansa - Chris Mitchell
7. Food for Thought (NYD-Not Yet Disabled)
8. FESPIC Games 2006
9. Sailability Central West - Timothy Hone (Australia)
10. Sailability Port Stephens - Frank Bardsley (Australia)
11. Enoshima Yacht Harbor Sail Access Dinghies (Japan)
12. Transformation for Footloose, Seattle USA
13. Zul Down Under (Malaysia)
14. Access Sailors - Ricardo Jansen (Western Australia)
15. Australian & International Access Dinghy C'ships
16. Upcoming Regattas

 

1. Editorial - From Jackie

Ahoy everyone ,

Well these are certainly interesting times for our Access Dinghy family. We have the privilege to witness first-hand, the rapid development of sailing for people with disabilities. During this period, many new countries are discovering the social benefits of including their disadvantaged communities in day to day activities.

Individually, we can all make a difference to the world in which we live. Whether we leave this world a better place, or not, is totally up to each of us. "Our world" may be our immediate family, our community, country or the world, but every small kindness will make a positive difference to someone in some way.

This week, we lost a dear friend and supporter of Access Dinghies and Sailability. It is with great sadness that we advise that our good friend, Ken Grinham, past CEO of NSW Sports Council for the Disabled, passed away. Ken is one who did make our world a far better place with his contribution to the disabled sporting community around Australia. We will remember Ken's dedication and his many kindnesses. He'll be sadly missed.

The Access Dinghy Foundation is honoured to be associated with our international team of dedicated and passionate individuals. Even though many of us will never meet face to face, we are an integral part of the like-minded wave of community enrichment called Sailability.

As Louis Armstrong sang, "… and I think to myself, what a wonderful world".
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2. THE NEXT GENERATION - Geoff Holt
RYA Sailability Vice-Chairman

Sailing is a sport to be enjoyed by those of all abilities and all ages and never was this better demonstrated than when RYA Sailability Vice-Chairman, Geoff Holt, himself a long-time wheelchair user and experienced sailor, took his two year old son Timothy out for his first ever sailing experience.
Although normally a multihull sailor, Geoff chose a two-seater Access Dinghy as it allowed him to oversee young Timothy's first outing without the worry of capsize nor over-complicated controls.

"He was grinning from ear to ear from the moment he got in" said Geoff, "and his favourite word is now "boats". Perhaps one day he can crew for me, but I was just keen for him to experience the same pleasure I get from sailing. Twenty years ago I was lucky to survive my accident and never imagined the day I would become a father.

To take my son sailing, on my own, without help, just goes to show that with the right boat, how life-enhancing and independent sailing can be. I am paralysed from the chest down but the Access is the only boat I could have used to achieve that dream, and the memory will stay with me for a long time."
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3. UNIVERSAL 18 UPDATE - Chris Mitchell

We are still very committed to the right of people to sail solo, and believe the Liberty, being so affordable, safe and easy to handle, has to be the greatest leveller in the world. But being a compulsive serial designer I can't just stop there,. And besides, it's much better to keep me working on something new, as who knows, something really great might come out of it.

Our new boat is different from the others, as it will carry asymmetric spinnakers. An asymmetric is, as its name suggests, not symmetrical with its tack being flown from a retractable fiberglass bow sprit, with sheets attached to the clew much like the jib on a 303 Wide. Because the pole is not changed from side to side this spinnaker is not all that good for running square downwind and the quickest way to the leeward mark may be run square with main and jib goose winged. However, for reaching and tacking downwind the asymmetric spinnaker delivers great power and performance, particularly on a planning hull like the Universal 18 (or UD 5.5, and yes, it is now 5.5m or 18ft long)

Spinnakers add a new dimension to sailing in that without one the boat is pretty well fail-safe and will heel over and round up into the wind in a big gust. But not so with a spinnaker. It is quite common for a boat to be overpowered and knocked down till the mast hits the water, dinghies do it all the time, but on the U18 this is quite safe and adds to the fun and excitement. You make a mistake and allow the boat to turn sideways to a gusty wind and you may have to work hard to get back on course. This mainly happens on boats with only one rudder as when a boat heels a centrally mounted rudder lifts out of the water. But the U18 has two very high aspect blades canted so the leeward blade increases in effectiveness as the boat heels, but being high aspect are very powerful and effective, and easy to control. You say left and around she will go.

Another safety feature is the wide beam and very wide side decks with enormous buoyancy along the full length of the hull under the seats This means that if you are temporarily knocked down, the helmsman, who may be strapped into the seat on the centerline, is high and dry and clear of the water. The deep draft and high ballast ratio ensure self-righting, and any water will flow straight out of the self draining cockpit.
So we are equipping the U18 with all the tools to provide an exhilarating high speed ride, but allow you to safely control and live to laugh at what can be quite a hazard on more conventional boats. Of course, if you only want a quiet and relaxing sail then don't fly the spinnaker.

A note about versatility. Although designed with elite competition in mind, specifically with a 2 person crew, the U18 can also be sailed solo by anyone, though spinnakers should not be flown by sailors with limited hand function. The U18 is also big and roomy enough for a third person, or a small family.

Concept Drawing of Universal 18
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4. From Switzerland

Hello Chris
Let me introduce myself first. I am not disabled but interested in the Access Dinghies for another reason. Sailing is for me relaxing and recreation and not for "adrenalin". I am looking for a small but stable and safe sailing boat which is a good performer in our light-winded conditions.

Here in Switzerland it is just impossible to get a mooring place, so a common keelboat makes no sense. There are some places where you store a boat on land but the infrastructure is not so good that you can launch a keelboat alone.

I owned a Pabouk 2.6m, This unique boat sailed good when I tested in on the Atlantic coast but not so good in the short wave pattern on our Swiss lakes. Lauching was also not so easy as
expected.

My favourite of the Access Dinghy family is the Liberty - but you cannot take a passenger with you. So the characteristics of the new UD5.5 looks very promising...! Kind regards from Switzerland -Juerg
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5. On the Road Again ? - Ian Anderson

So much seems to have happened since the last newsletter, and yet we are still afloat without a boat.Many people have been active behind the scenes to help get us started. Let me mention a few as we could not move forward without them:

Chris Mitchell and Jackie Kay-They have been sooo patient with us. Coaching us along, to the point where we now have boats ordered. We have ordered two Access 2.3s under Sailability Malaysia, while the Malaysian Paralympic Council are beginning to gear up for the 2006 FESPIC games here in KL and have ordered five 2.3's to train up the local heroes. So we will see a total of seven 2.3's on the water here so - not a bad start!

NOL have been wonderful in sponsoring our first boat (a very BIG THANK YOU to Dan McHugh, SK Choy, and Eian Lim at the APL offices in Singapore and Malaysia). APL is also providing shipment of the container carrying all the boats from Melbourne to Port Klang, Malaysia.

Frankie Thanapal and Alan Tan from Singapore Disability Sports Council. These guys have helped with boat sponsorship, provided boats for display purposes, and helped with coaching our people. I think they want us to get going so they can come up to KL and beat us!!

Our friends at Kelab Tasik Putrajaya are also supportive of Sailability, and are providing the venue for our sailing days and storage facilities for the boats, once they arrive. Tuan Haji Ghani, the Kelab Secretary and Director of Putrajaya City Services Department, thought that he may even take up sailing himself. We will welcome him on the water!

Our Sailability entity is being formed under Cheshire Home's Sport and Recreation arm. This agreement was reached at the Cheshire Home's AGM on October 12th 2004. This is great news for Sailability in Malaysia as we now have a formal entity under which we can operate and serve the community. Another BIG THANK YOU to the leadership at Cheshire Home. We particularly want to thank Puan Khatijah and Dato Ghazali Dato' Yusoff, who are strong supporters of Sailability Malaysia.

In August I had the wonderful opportunity to represent Access Dinghies and Sailability Malaysia at the 32nd International Congress on Social Welfare here in Kuala Lumpur. At this conference some 1600 delegates from around the world met to exchange ideas on the needs of those socially disadvantaged.

On September 4 -7, I was again fortunate to represent Access Dinghies at the 7th International Foundation on Aging in Singapore. Our friends at Singapore Disabilities Sports Council (SDSC) provided a Liberty to display in the lobby area of the convention. The boat got a lot of attention and I believe Frankie and Alan from SDSC, have a list of "not so young" would be sailors to add to their growing numbers.

In undertaking this assignment I got to improve my knowledge of Accessible Design. If you are not sure what this is about search this web site for the details. Access Dinghies do a great job of meeting the Accessible Design goals.

Networking is always an important part of these conferences, and I was privileged to meet up with Ishi-San from Japan and other kindred spirits.
Many see what Sailability and Access Dinghies are doing for people of different ability and different generations around the world, and are excited at the possibilities.

Gid'day mate!
Sailability Malaysia sent Zul to Australia for the Aussie Nationals @ Belmont over the October 2 & 3 weekend. Up until now Zul had only seen winds of less than 15 knots. He got a windy welcome down under. I will let Zul his own story, but to see his face all aglow, and a 6th place out of 18 in Division 3 is not a bad result for a man who only got in a boat in April this year. There is a strong hint he will invite others to compete here in Kuala Lumpur (when he has a boat J). See page 6.

Watch this space for pictures of Access Dinghies afloat on Malaysian waters ….. real soon!
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6. The Access Dinghy Hansa
Chris Mitchell

The actual logo design came from an Airline TV advertisement which showed a swan in slow motion flight, its head stationary with the neck undulating in a subtle wave as its wings powered it along.

The simplest explanation for its origin is the bird is a swan, and a swan in Sanskrit is a Hansa. Influence can be seen in Indonesian and Malay languages where a Goose (or a swan) is an Angsah. Sanskrit is actually the language of the ancient white Aryan race whom once dominated central Asia, and German philosophers have often derived inspiration from its traditions. One honourable legacy of this is the great world airline, Lufthansa.
So far this is all pretty mundane, but for those who want, the story can go a little deeper as there is an oriental myth which states that at the third heaven, soul bathes in the sacred Lake of Mansarover and emerges as a Hansa, the symbol of a purified soul. We may ask which came first, the truth behind the myth or the Sanskrit language which recorded it.

Unfortunately for the Hansa, the myth goes on to suggest that this is the end of the story, that Soul blends in with some divine matrix, losing its identity like a drop of water is lost in the Ocean.

We however don't agree with that sad ending, why should there be an ending at all, so the Access Dinghy Hansa sees this as only the end of matter, mind, and time, and flies on into ever expanding worlds of Oneness and Eternity, retaining its uniqueness and individuality.
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7. Food for Thought (NYD-Not Yet Disabled)

Pat Gabriel - Sailability ACT
From Jackie: Pat wrote this article a few years ago, but it is worthy of publishing again, to remind us all about the unexpected challenges that life throws at us from time to time.

It is a good time for able bodied sailors to think about what it might be like to be disabled. I am sure that many people are inspired by the courage and determination, as well as the good humour shown by the many sailors with a disability. None of us know when we will be incapacitated by illness or accident - or how we will cope with it.

Have you ever considered that there may come a time when you will be disabled? 'Garn.' You might say 'Look at me - I'm strong, fit, twenty (or forty or sixty), never had a anything more than measles or the occasional cold in my whole life!'

But how will you feel if you become disabled because you have a stroke? What if you become disabled with arthritis? Have a traffic or work related accident that puts you into a wheelchair? Need to have your knees or hips replaced with plastic ones? Lose your sight or your hearing? Or maybe your financial status changes and your disposable income is reduced? How will this affect your ability to sail? What will be the level of your self-esteem?

When you are no longer able to rig your own boat or pull your weight as part of a crew, what will you do? Take up knitting? Hang around the club feeling sad and sorry for yourself and being a misery to other people? Or do you have a contingency plan that will enable you to continue sailing - even if it is at a level and in a class of boat that you would not normally consider to be 'real sailing'. Depends on how much you want to sail doesn't it?

It is fact that most people with a disability were once people without that disability. If people with a disability are considered as separate from those who see themselves as 'normal' they will not be able to expect the rights and responsibilities that are taken for granted by the 'labellers' i.e. the NYD!

Note: 18% of Australians have some sort of disability. 1.8 million Australian are carers. (Australian Bureau of Statistics).
PWD-Person with a Disability
NYD-Not Yet Disabled
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"The tree" at YMCS SC from which Sailability ACT operated,
before relocating to a permanent location and a new tree
at Lake Tuggeranong.

8. FESPIC GAMES 2006
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

ATTENTION SAILORS WITH A DISABILITY IN
S.E. ASIA & STH PACIFIC

For the first time sailing has been included on the programme of the Regional Competition of 2006 FESPIC Games. Eighteen Access Liberty's will be provided free of charge and the competition will be open to any sailor with a disability who is classifiable under the IFDS Classification System.

FESPIC is the Far East and South Pacific Disability Games. There are 45 member nations of FESPIC. To obtain further information regarding the 2006 FESPIC Games sailing competition, contact your country's Paralympic Committee, or Jackie Kay
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9. Sailability Central West - Timothy Hone

Sailability Orange was renamed Central West last year as an increasing number of participants came from an expanding geographical area. This now encompasses Bathurst, Blayney, Cowra, Orange and Young. We usually meet at Carcoar Dam Sailing Club. These sailing days are great social occasions too, with many members and their families/friends staying the whole day. We also have a school sailing program which runs during terms one and four; 80 students from four schools are involved, the majority of whom are youth at risk or youth with a disability.

Central West had small beginnings about three years ago with just one Access 2.3, launching from the dam foreshores with a handful of volunteers and participants. As the need for more equipment and infrastructure arose, much fundraising became necessary. Local businesses, individuals, social clubs and community organizations have been approached for various projects, and through their generosity we have been able to finance new Access dinghies, PFDs, pontoon and hoist, a reliable recovery boat, and storage shed.

One particular aspect of Sailability, which is always inspiring, are the wonderful stories, smiles and happy tears of those involved; Sailability has touched the hearts of many, and its success lies in the physical and emotional experiences that sailing fosters. I believe that whenever one is doing something connected with Access Dinghies or Sailability, one is somehow linked to a 'higher source'. This energy is so pure it is no surprise that the Sailability network is growing worldwide!

Happy youngsters in Central West of NSW benefit from sailing activities at Carcoar Dam. After recent rains in drought stricken NSW, the dam is now at 13% capacity. Sailing area is approx 400 x 300 metres, but where there is a will there is a way.

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10. Sailability Port Stephens - Frank Bardsley

The sailing activity at Grahamstown Dam is a project sponsored and supported by the members of the Rotary Club of Williamtown. In 1999 past President, Tom Ford saw a need for an activity in which the local youth could participate, and enjoy, at minimal cost. Sailing boats and sponsorships were procured, volunteers arranged sail training and the project was launched.

The Rotary Club of Williamtown provided sailing craft and supervised weekend sailing activities. Now, our fleets consists of 4 x 303's, 5 x 2.3's and a large number of catamarans,

Visitors to the facility have increased dramatically over the past three years, with over1000 members of the public participating in our sailing programs in the 2001/2002 sailing season. Grahamstown Sailing & Aquatic Club, in conjunction with Sailability Port Stephens and increased numbers of volunteers have been able to organise special activity days additional to our normal weekend/weekday activities. They include visits by disadvantaged groups from the Hunter Valley, senior citizens, church and scouting groups, a "come sailing" days, (an invitation to the general public) as well as RAAF personnel sailing days. Media coverage with the spotlight on Rotary's involvement has put this sailing project in the public's eye, as a very worthwhile community activity.
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11. Enoshima Yacht Harbor Sail Access Dinghies
Nobi Nishi

The Enoshima Yacht Harbor was built for the sailing competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. So this yacht harbour is the one of the most famous yacht harbors to Japanese sailors and is considered as the Mecca of yacht racing.

The President of the Enoshima yacht club, Mr. Matsumoto, participated as Japan's representative in the 5.5 meter class in the Olympics. I met with Mr. Matsumoto at the party of old sailors, where I took an Access Dinghy 2.3 wide to the party hall.

Several months later we organized a "come and try" in the Enoshima Yacht Harbor. Then, Mr. Matsumoto saw various people enjoying sailing for the first time. Generally in the harbor there are very few smiling faces of the serious sailors. Mr. Matsumoto watched our happy, inexperienced sailors and he saw some sailors with a disability.

Sailability Enoshima began their sailing activities with four Access Dinghies in June 2003. It was quite good start, and after newspapers wrote about our activity, Rlocal radio program introduced us several times and some TV programs also reported about Access Dinghies, many people became interested in Sailability. However, this was only the beginning.

In April 2004, Enoshima also got two Liberty and now they have sailing for beginners and experienced sailors. Sailability Enoshima has 80 members, including old men and women, children, and disabled persons, and many volunteers. And now in 2004, people have impression of Mecca of Access Dinghy sailing in the Enoshima Yacht Harbor.
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L-R rear- Nobi Nishii, Mr. Matsumoto
L-R front- Grahme Rayner, Mrs.Nishii



 

 

12. Transformation for Footloose, Seattle USA
Elizabeth Riggs-Rear Admiral

Access Dinghies have transformed our program, with many more participants learning how to sail and becoming skippers who take others out, an increase in commitment and membership from both participants and volunteers, and a program, with the davit and slings, that is attracting more severely disabled participants. Recently one of our disabled participants learned how to fly with our new lifting equipment. I took out a new participant with MS, turning her loose with the tiller once we were out of the marina and letting her sail while I managed the sheets, giving her one or two helpful hints. She said, "This was the best day I've had in two and a half years". It made my day too.
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Denis Hannan testing the new hoist.

 

 



13. Zul Down Under - Zulkifli Mohd Ali

(Translated from the original in Bahasa Melayu)
I had a new experience when I went to Sydney to participate in a sailing competition that was held at Belmont. This is the first sailing competition I had participated in. I was awe struck when I met two persons who are paralysed from the neck downwards. Their names are Nava and Andrew. Both of them only use their chin to navigate their wheel chairs and sail boats.
Before Ian Anderson introduced me to an Access Dinghy, I was afraid of any water sports, especially sailing. After meeting Nava and Andrew I have the self-confidence to try the sport of sailing, and many friends in Australia have given me the desire sail
.
People like Win and Brime have been very kind to me. Neil and Barbara gave me accommodation in their home in Sydney. I would also like to thank Ian, Wendy and their family for sponsorship of my airfare and tournament fees in Sydney. Without their support I would not be able to participate in the sailing competition in Belmont.

Zul with Andrew and Nava at Belmont
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14. Access Sailors

To help us gain an understanding of sailors with a disability & to learn of their aspirations, over coming editions, we will profile several sailors from around the world. This month we feature Australian sailor, Ricardo Jansen, from Western Australia. He is one of Australia's three sailing ventilated quadriplegics. His Liberty, "Black Magic" is the only black Access Dinghy ever built.

Ricardo Jansen - Western Australia

Seven years ago my life as I knew it, took a dramatic turn. I was involved in a motor vehicle accident and through no fault of my own, ended up fighting for my life in hospital for three and a half years. Consequently, I was left a C2 Quadriplegic on a ventilator, having to rely on 24hr nursing care for the remainder of my life. But life, as they say, is what you make it! And I have made the most of mine.

Earlier this year I was introduced to Sailability and I have not looked back. Initially I was ballast for a Sonar having crew around me doing everything. Don't get me wrong, I love being on the water but I wanted something more… I was then told of a boat that would allow me to sail completely unassisted and give me the freedom and independence I was craving. Call me pessimistic, but how could a guy who could not move from below his shoulders and relying on life support possibly achieve a dream as wonderful as this? Thanks to the Access Liberty Team and Sailability, this dream has become a reality. Twice a week, on the beautiful waters of the Swan River in Perth, my life is temporarily transformed from one of complete reliance on others, to that of navigating life my way!

I use a servo assist chin control to operate both my steering and sails, and I have installed a custom-made rally seat. Why the rally seat? It gives me a great chance to get the adrenalin rush I long for and the opportunity to push things to the ultimate limit.

I love my Access Liberty and the opportunity it has given me to be at one with the water and myself. To some, being alone is simply taken for granted. For me, it is a privilege. When I am in my Liberty, I feel exhilarated beyond belief, independent and in control again.
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15. AUST & INTERNATINAL REGATTA
2 & 3 Oct at Belmont, NSW
….from the South Australia Team

Sailability South Australia was one of the State Organisations to field an enthusiastic team for the Regatta in Belmont. Nine sailors and a 12 strong support crew, towed ten 2.3's, 303's and Liberty over 1500 km from Adelaide to Belmont to make the Championship a great success.

The team arrived in the strongest storm to hit Lake Macquarie for a long time and those that came by train had to catch a bus as the line was flooded. For Andrew and Helene this meant waiting for a van to take two electric chairs; and the driver had to take a detour! Chris and his father lost their beds for the night as a tree fell into their rented cabin! The boats got a thorough clean while the team recovered in the Clubhouse.

Sailability S.A. has four active branches and sail a total of 8 x Liberty, 16 x Access 303's and 6 x 2.3's at Adelaide Sailing Club, Port Adelaide Sailing Club, Port Lincoln Yacht Club and Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club. The success of the South Australian sailors, two thirds and a second, is due to the fact that Access Dinghies race regularly at all the clubs; at Adelaide Sailing Club the fleet is 50 strong with eight divisions including Lasers, 420s and Pacers.
Deirdre Schahinger who was the founder of Sailability in South Australia nine years ago will become involved with the Australian Access Dinghy Class Association and current President of Sailability S.A., John Johnston is a member of the Sailability Australia Committee.

Coastal gale warnings were issues for Friday and Saturday. The Australian Army had generously erected a large floating pontoon to assist with launching the Dinghies and management of the thirteen safety craft. Unfortunately during Friday afternoon's wild conditions, with gusts over 60 knots, the pontoon got damaged and was removed.

 

At Regatta Dinner, Yachting Australia's Disabled Sailor of the Year Award was jointly presented to Dan Fitzgibbon (Qld) & Andrew Hartley (Sth Aust) by Yachting Australia CEO, Phil Jones and Sailability Australia, Chairman Bruce Dickson. Pictured below Left to Right: Phil, Dan, Bruce & Andrew


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16. Upcoming Regattas

2005
March 12-13
South Aust. Access Dinghy C'ship
Port Adelaide SailingClub
Port Adelaide, South Australia

April 9-13
Trans Tasman Masters Games
Grahamstown Dam, Port Setphens
Australia
Contact: Grahme Rayner

June 9-11
RYA Sailability National Regatta
Liberty Teams Event & other events
Weymouth, UK

July (TBA)
French Access Dinghy C'ships
St Quentin en Yvelines near Paris
La Voile Ensemble

August 6
Canadian Access Dinghy C'ships
Quinte Sailability
Quinte, Ontario

August (TBA)
Access Dinghy International C'ships
Porto, Portugal

August 8-16
2005 IFDS Single Person Dinghy WorldC'ships
Rutland Waters, Great Britain
Contact Pauline Harrison

September 2-3
UK Access Dinghy Chapionships
Pitsford Reservoir, Northants
Northampton Sailability

2006
February (TBA)
Australian Access Dinghy C'ships
Yet to be confirmed
Melbourne AUSTRALIA

March (TBA)
Commonwealth Liberty C'ship
Waterfront City, Docklands
Docklands Yacht Club Melbourne
AUSTRALIA

Sept or Nov (TBA)
FESPIC Games
Far East & Sth Pacific Disabled Games
Kuala Lumper, MALAYSIA
Contact Your National Paralympic
Committee
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