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TELLTALES - JULY 2005
Volume 6 Issue 3
1. Access Boats USA
2. Wendy Sails the Dam (Australia)
3. FESPIC Games, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
4. HRH The Princess Royal receives Access Liberty (Great
Britain)
5. Sailability Italy
6. 2005 IFDS Single Person Dinghy Championships
7. History of Regatta (Italy)
8. Special Olympics Winter Games Torch Run (Japan)
9. Sailability Dobroyd Fire (Australia)
10. Progress in Hungary
11. Sth Australian Access Dinghy Championships
12. UD18 Update
13. MAR²INE Academy (USA)
14. Upcoming Events
1. ACCESS BOATS USA
"I love sailing, but when I see others sailing and coming back with HUGE SMILES after having been able to assist them in getting in the boats and on the water - that is all the pay I really need!" says Ricardo Seidner, the new builder of Access Dinghies in the United States.
Access
Boats USA, our family's new company in Plantation, Florida, opened its
doors March 1, 2005, making Access Dinghies available for the first time
from a builder within the United States. As with most things that surround
the creation of these little boats and the programs that utilize them
- Access Boats USA has a story.
Ricardo became familiar with the Access Dinghies, after meeting Debra
Frenkel of the Tradewinds Foundation, during a program for children with
cancer and their families. Ricardo's 14 year old son, Josh, has been going
through treatment for Leukemia since September of 2002. As of the end
of March, 2005, he has finished his treatment and is doing well. Josh
and his family had attended a special day of yachting and activity provided
by the Tradewinds Foundation.
Josh was then invited to join in the all-inclusive sailing program, newly
established by Tradewinds, in the Ft. Lauderdale area, and the smiles
that crossed his face rejuvenated his father. Ricardo hadn't seen Josh
smile like that in a very long time.
Since then, Josh has gone sailing almost every weekend and won first place in the gold fleet at regatta in Miami. Josh said that when he is on the water he "forgets about everything and it doesn't matter if you have a disability - even if you are a quadriplegic - in these sailing boats you have the same chance of winning."
Josh continues to use crutches due to weakness in his legs from the treatment.
He has brought his cousin with him to sail; recruited his mother and sister
to participate in special events; has made new friends and has travelled
to regattas in other cities. Josh intends to be working in the business
with his father in anyway he can, and of course, continue sailing.
Ricardo has been volunteering for the program while Josh has been sailing. He told another story about a deaf/mute gentleman, Steven, who came to sail. When Steven got off the water from his first time out - he was smiling ear to ear - hurried off the boat and ran up the dock, scurrying. The instructor and Ricardo watched in bewilderment, unsure why he had ran off so quickly and only explained by Steven's return, holding up with outstretched arms - a piece of paper with the words, "I loved it!" written across.
When Debra Frenkel suggested building the boats in the U.S. to Ricardo,
he was already sold!
(Return to Index)
Ricardo
and Adrianna
2. WENDY SAILS THE DAM
Editor.
Wendy began sailing in 1997. Since then she has sailed in State, National,
International and World competitions in Australia, Japan and France. Having
severe Cerebral Palsy creates difficulties for Wendy in controlling her
dinghy. Wendy has an IFDS Classification of FCS1, and is a vocal advocate
for equity in sailing, believing that regardless of degree of disability,
all sailors are entitled to the same sailing options as those with a lessor
disability. In October, Wendy will travel to Italy to compete in her second
IFDS Single Person Dinghy Worlds. Read her Sailor
Profile and Comments following 2004 SP Worlds:
When I sail on Grahamstown Dam at Port Stephens, I usually sail in an
Access 303 on my own. This is much harder for me than a 2.3, as I do not
have very good co-ordination and am slower than others pulling the ropes
and adjusting the jib after tacking. However, I feel a great sense of
achievement after being in a 303. It may be hard for me, but it's not
impossible, and sometimes I do manage to beat able-bodied sailors in other
303s. That adds to my achievement. I think because of my great love for
sailing, I forget how difficult it is, and just do it.
On April 16th Sailability Port Stephens planned a day to sail right around
the shore of the Dam. They say the dam is about 8 - 10 kms, but I think
it's more. Sixteen sailing craft started off. It was not a race. It was
just for fun. And fun it was. Myself, the only sailor with a disability,
was in a 303 on my own. It was a terrific feeling being to be included
and treated like an able-bodied sailor with no special attention - to
be equal.
I kept to the shoreline almost all the way, while others cut across or
just turned back. The wind was a nice strength for me, so I handled it
well. Three hours later I was back at the Club House and extremely proud
of myself. I did it! I did it! I sailed the Dam. Thank you to Sailability
Port Stephens. You are a fun club. One bit of advice to your club for
the future - always make sure the Rescue Boat has plenty of fuel, so it
doesn't have to be rescued by an Access 2.3. Ha
(Return to Index)
3. FESPIC GAMES, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
ATTENTION SAILORS WITH A DISABILITY IN
ASIA & OCEANIA
SEPTEMBER 2005: 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
(Return to Index)
4. HRH THE PRINCESS ROYAL RECEIVES ACCESS LIBERTY
June 9, 2005
Opportunities for people with disabilities to sail alongside other sailing enthusiasts at the new £7.85m Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy were given a major boost after the presentation of a brand new Access Liberty to RYA Sailability patron HRH Princess Anne by boat builder Steve Sawford.
The presentation of the dinghy was made on the pontoons at Weymouth as part of the opening celebrations on Thursday June 9th after the Festival of Sail, featuring a host of sailing legends racing against disabled sailors, had been concluded.
Steve, who has been building the Access range of dinghies for the past three years at his base in Northamptonshire and is the UK's sole manufacturer, made the presentation on behalf of Access Dinghy Sailing Systems in Australia (ADSSA), where designer Chris Mitchell first conceived and designed the Access range for disabled sailors.
"These boats are incredibly safe and simple to sail and very quickly
give people confidence in handling them on a race track," he said.
"We have built over 100 of them and our order book suggests that
the fleet is popular and growing fast," he said.
On the pontoon, having just won the Liberty event was Ann Lewis, the 2004 Access 2.3 National Champion from Watford who is wheelchair dependent after suffering meningitis eight years ago.
"I have already placed an order for one because they are fast, very stable and great fun to sail," she said.
"But I have asked Steve to make me one with glittery blue decks and I haven't decided what colour the sails will be yet."
The 3.6 metre dinghy, with joystick steering, high coamings and wide side decks is a totally accessible performance craft which anyone can sail, regardless of ability. It even has a ventilator stowage box, opening up the sailing opportunity to a new class of disabled sailor.
The opening of the Academy will allow disabled sailors to race on the same courses in Weymouth Harbour as every other sailor, offering them the chance to enjoy the sport at one of the best venues in the world due to its unique combination of excellent breezes and safe waters.
Said
Clive Clifford CEO RYA Sailability: "This boat has been loaned to
Weymouth to encourage more local people with disabilities to take up sailing
and as demand increases, so we hope the fleet will broaden. We are indebted
to Chris Mitchell in Australia for making this gift to us and hope that
it will transform many people's lives."
Above: HRH The Princess Royal on the pontoon
with Ann Lewis and Steve Sawford
June 17, 2005
RYA Sailability has won a major prize at The Charity Awards 2005, the charity sector's most prestigious award scheme. The annual Charity Awards ceremony is the most high profile event on the charity world calendar. The awards recognise excellence in the management of charities, acknowledging the outstanding work and achievements of all charities, big or small, from across the UK and the tireless commitment of the people behind them. The Charity Awards judges recognised the excellent work RYA Sailability has undertaken in enabling over 16,000 disabled people to go sailing.
Daniel Phelan, organiser of The Charity Awards 2005 commented: "..…We
have worked hard this year to recognise and reward charities that have
forged creative and collaborative working partnerships that have an exponential
effect on the success of their campaigns. By winning RYA Sailability has
demonstrated that they are among the best-managed charities in the UK."
(Return to Index)
5. SAILABILITY ITALY
Sailability Italy was created in 2004 in Sabaudia, near Rome, on a lagoon where the sailing school "Scuola Vela Sabaudia" has its location. The Scuola Vela Sabaudia started its activity in 1982, and became well known because the president Luigi Zambon created the first large sailing boat which can be totally managed by a disabled person. He also created a shipyard "Sabaudia Etica" with the aim of building such boats. The shipyard is also about to produce an accessible motor boat for going out swimming and fishing or diving.
This
is our latest project: "Easyboat". This is a 21 feet long open
boat that can be used by people in a wheelchair or by those who, due to
age or...overweight, find it difficult to use an unstable gangway or to
climb a little ladder. Easyboat" allows everybody to enjoy a day
out at sea, with comfort and security, perhaps fishing and bathing thanks
to an electric hoisting system. Remote control allows independent use
of the anchor and control of the telescopic gangaway. A chemical w.c.
is also available (when necessary, a removable curtain hides the w.c.)
The Scuola Vela Sabaudia has also a long experience in teaching sailing to disabled, and uses 2.4 boats and a Dream. Now, of course, the school owns three Liberties ! To be selected as the starting point for Sailability in Italy became, therefore, very natural. After visiting the place and meeting the people and the organization, Jackie Kay and Chris Mitchell decided that Sabaudia and the nearby harbour of San Felice Circeo were the right place to organize a World Championship for the Access Liberty.
There is now great activity for the organization of the "Sabaudia's Cup" (October 1 - 10) with the aim of creating an unforgettable experience for the sailors and the friends who will come to this very attractive coast of the Mediterranean Sea. In May we were honoured to host the Technical Delegate for the Worlds, Ian Harrison and his wife Pauline. The organising committee is well on track.
Sailability Italy has created a new Sailability Centre near Venice and
Marco Rossato is president of the new Sailability Veneto. Marco, a person
with a disability, was excited when he sailed a Liberty for the first
time and is looking forward to competing in the Sabaudia's Cup. He now
has a Liberty in Veneto. There are many new contacts for increasing the
number of Sailability Centres in this country. (Return
to Index)
Sabaudia
Prima-Everything onboard has been studied to make all of its parts available
and accessible. The sails, the wheel, the anchor and the lifeboat can
all be easily managed www.velaetica.it. The great novelty is a patented
reliable hoist which can transefer the disabled from a wheelchair into
the water and viceversa with dignity and safety.
6. 2005 IFDS
Single Person Dinghy Championships & Sabaudia's Cup
October 1-10, San Felice Circeo, Italy
Download ENTRY
FORM and NOTICE
OF RACE
Expressions of Interest received from: 
ITL, GRE, GBR, POR, FRA, AUS, SIN, MAL, JAP, USA, HUN
(Return to Index)
7. HISTORY OF REGATTA
Luigi Zambon advises that one of his ancestors created the first regatta in history. On 10th of January 1315, the doge Giovanni Soranzo (d.1328) organised a rowing race through the canals of Venice. The original name was Remigata (from remo meaning "oar"). Then it became regata as is said in Italy, and regatta in other languages. Today, Regata Storica is held annually on the first Sunday of September and is one of the most traditional Venetian celebrations.
The festival was a way to honour foreign dignitaries visiting Venice. The Regata has two components - the Procession and the 'Regata'. The Procession, is a colourful parade along the Grand Canal, with oarsmen dressed in historical costumes. In the modern Regata, after the Parade, the first race features the young rowers. Then it's the turn of the women. The third race to start is the men's race, on heavy six-oared 'caorline', and the climax of the event is the champions' race on two-oared 'gondolini'.
After the usual protests and accusations of impropriety,
the prize-giving ceremony takes place. Traditionally, first place is awarded
a red flag, second a white flag, third a green flag and fourth place a
blue flag. Together with the symbolic prizes, there were also some "in
kind" awards. The most famous of these prizes was a little live pig
that was displayed on a gondola in the Parade. As the gondola passed the
spectators, it acted like a thermometer of the Venetians' feelings towards
the City Government of the day. When the people weren't satisfied, the
pig would be acclaimed with whistles and shouts such as "Here's the
Mayor" and "Long live the Mayor". The pig ceremony was
abolished a few years ago - officially after the protests from animal
protection organizations. (Return to
Index)
8. SPECIAL OLYMPICS WINTER GAMES TORCH RUN
Special Olympics Games is an international competition for peoples with intellectual disabilities, and the 2005 Special Olympics Winter Games was opened in Japan. Our Sailability-Ise participated a torch run event as pre-event for the games. Our idea was " Let's take torches by Access Dinghies".
At first, we visited a small island Sugashima to ignite a light in front of a lighthouse. A lighthouse has been in Sugashima since 18th century, because of a dangerous point for shipping. It is suitable for our torches, isn't it?
We
opened a trial event for kids there, and many kids tried sailing. They
sailed in a small fishing port with our staff. It was pretty windy, so
there was no doubt that they found it pleasant to sail. Probably, it was
the first sailing for them, but they were delighted very much.
We also were very happy that they got an opportunity to know about the Special Olympics Games. Then we participated the torch run final event at a yacht harbor to give back torch fire into a flame-holder.
There were three torches that were put together from several parts of our prefecture with various events. Of cause, our torch, which ignited a light, was included. Each torch was carried by shipping. One of them was carried by a passengers boat. Another one was carried by a sailing curser. Our torch was carried by a leisure boat. And Access Dinghies were used for transfer from each boat to a quay. Three persons, who have intellectual disabilities, had taken charge of torch transfer with Access Dinghy operated by our staff. Then other handicapped persons carried it to the flame-holder. And finally, it was ignited by three torches. So, the final event for "S.O. torch run" was prosperity. And in the spare time, many people had sailed Access Dinghies. We were satisfied with many smiling faces. We hope to participate in similar events again, if we have a chance.
Sailability-Ise is just
a small-scale yacht club, but we can give much pleasure for many people.
We hope to make a new culture by using Access Dinghies in Japan. Email
us
(Return to Index)
:
9. SAILABILITY DOBROYD
FIRE
When members of Sailability Dobroyd arrived for their regular sailing day at the Five Dock on April 3, they were devastated to see the results of a fire caused by arsonists. The clubhouse was totally guttered, destroying all nine Access Dinghies, transferring equipment, lifejackets, bbq, safety boats, engines. Everything was lost.
The Dobroyd Aquatic Club (DAC), located at Rodd Point on Sydney Harbour, has been the home of Sailability Dobroyd for ten years.
Neil Anderson, President of Sailability NSW and founding member of Sailability Dobroyd, said, "Although the fire at Dobroyd Aquatic Club (DAC) has destroyed many years of history, hard work and effort for both Sailability Dobroyd and the members of DAC it has not destroyed the wonderful memories that have been experienced there. The fun, laughs and learning experiences we have had with family and friends at Dobroyd still live on, and will forever, regardless of this tragedy.
Out of all adversity comes some good. Experiencing the willingness of our friends and families to assist in what ever way they can has been very uplifting and I believe has shifted Sailability to another level."
Of enormous encouragement has been the subsequent flood of letters with donations and offers of boats, sailing days and other gifts from NSW and ACT Sailability Branches and regular supporters. Sailability Dobroyd's long-time supporter, the Canada Bay Club has been extraordinarily generous in donating $26,000. In addition, many people quite unknown to Sailability have donated, saying they just wanted to help rebuild.
Now, the priority is to work with DAC to rebuild the Club House. If anyone
can help, please contact Mike
Cuming.
(Return to Index)
10. PROGRESS IN HUNGARY
Zoltan Pegan 
Hungarian Access Dinghy Builder
Pallás Vízisport
Kft was recently granted licence to build and distribute Access Dinghies
throughout Eastern Europe. From December 2004, Pallás Vízisport
director, Erno Papp spent three months in Melbourne with Chris, learning
the processes of building Access Dinghies. Hungarian production is imminent.
Tel/fax:+36 88 451 046, 585 470
Budapest Rehabilitation Expo
The three day Expo was a great success, with somewhere between 4000
and 5000 attendees. The highlight of the weekend came on Sunday. There
was a woman there who was visually impaired and there was nothing that
the Expo organisers could offer her in the way of activity. Teri is 55,
and has limited peripheral vision. I told her about the boats, the Homerus
Project, and what we've done in Sydney with the blind sailors, and invited
her to come and check out the 303. Once she sat in the boat, she stayed
there for an hour and a half, chatting with her friend and drinking coffee.
The organizers have invited us back for next year. I told them that we can probably get the new Hungarian boat builder there and that Zoltan and the Access Dinghy will certainly be there.
June 12-The Missing Ingredient
Almost two years to the day since we brought 3 x Access 303 Dinghies to
Hungary to form the foundation for Sailability
Hungary, we've finally got a good supply of the one thing we were
missing from a successful disabled sailing program: sailors!
In the meantime Eva Pallás negotiated with the owners of a brand new marina being built on Lake Balaton at Balatonfüzfö. They included a disabled washroom in their building plans and gave us two berths to use as our own. We don't have a rescue boat yet, but we now have a home.
The
morning of June 12 dawned cloudy, and we felt the occassional drop of
rain, but there was good breeze on the lake and the 7 boats were lined
up on the grass. We could put eleven people on the water at once, and
three of those could be servo-assisted. Eager sailors began arriving before
we had the first boat rigged. People kept arriving until we had 25-30
potential new sailors and enough volunteers to keep six boats afloat all
day. I soon lost track of the time.
Then about noon the sky cleared, the wind settled a bit and it was a glorious afternoon for sailing. A sailor boasted that he had been out five times, and I remembered speaking to him at the rehab expo, where he'd told me that he was very interested, but felt he was too old to learn a new sport. We managed to prove him wrong.
At the end of the day, everyone went home satisfied with the day and
eager for more. They're asking when we can start racing because one or
two want to go to the Sabaudia Cup in Italy in October - and then there's
Beijing in 2008. Read the full
story.
(Return to Index)
11. Sth Australian Access Dinghy Championships
by Roger Lamb - A sailor who has not competed since becoming disabled.
Day One - We were greeted by high temperatures and a moderate but fluky wind. The day was particularly marked by the positive spirit shown between competitors out on the water. For example, in the event of a late arrival at a buoy, it was good to hear comments such as ……"why don't you go first, we will follow you". Not what you would expect from a "normal" cut-throat sailing competition.
Day Two - I arrived with signs of high temperatures and indications of a fresh wind. For those who started, it became clear that a postponement may be required…the re-start took place fortunately with the support of a strongish wind.
For two novices to be sailing a 3.03 metre, it became essential to discuss. ………and agree on tasks for each race. At the conclusion of the day on reflection it was a very much pleasing learning experience trying to pick wind patterns and looking around the fleet to see who was getting wind and what particular sail settings seemed to be most effective.
All support staff seemed to be happy to make helpful comments regarding sail settlings, and offer effective strategies that incorporated their local knowledge. This seemed to underline the spirit that the races where sailed under e.g. let's make the day enjoyable and without many of the mean spirited actions that often characterize many high profile races.
As a former sailor, I was most impressed with the spirit that prevailed throughout the whole two day regatta. The regatta was particularly well organized, Pt Adelaide Sailing Club are to be congratulated for their organisation on the day. How pleasing it was when racing results were announced, to note the genuine pleasure of everyone when someone received an award.
I wish to place on record my sincere appreciation to my crew Kate Switajewski and the Adelaide Sailing Club Sailability support team for all effort provided by them; to take up sailing as a sailor with a disability is not always easy. The effort and understanding shown by support staff makes it all possible.
Day Three - Very tired, very exhilarated….can't wait for
the next sail.
(Return to Index)
12. UD18 UPDATE
Chris Mitchell
Recently, I awoke smiling from a vivid dream. I was reclining in a "sit-ski"
seat, hiking out over the windward side of the UD18, sailing solo. The
seat pivoted horizontally through 45 degrees - from a post just forward
of the centreboard case. Above my ankles was an array of cleats for control
lines.
I push the helm down, uncleat the seat and "swoosh" -the boat
tacks and I'm on the other 
side. I bear away, ease the sheets, haul up the spinnaker, and trim it.
What a blast! Imagine being able to sail a boat like this on your own.
What a setup; everything at hand. One could even control the whole thing
with an electronic joystick.
It was 3AM, but I was excited: I got out of bed and went to the factory
in the cold pre-dawn to make sure this would work. The result? "No
worries" as Australians say - either solo, or a shortened version
for sailing with a crew of two.
Apart from swinging seats, the UD18 can also be handled by the usual crew
configurations. The helmsman can transfer manually and be steering with
tillers, or be in a Liberty seat using a manual joystick, push/pull rods,
or a servo assist joystick with full control of all functions.
The forward crew can either be on the centreline, transferring manually,
or using a swinging seat. Or both crew could be mobile, even riding trapeze.
As its name says, the UD18 is of Universal Design and can be sailed by
all levels of physical ability, but thanks to the ease of handling and
the reefing system can be readily depowered and is therefore controllable
by less experienced sailors.
(Return to Index)
13. MAR²INE ACADEMY
Dr. Jayne Greenberg, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
I recently travelled to Sydney and met with Jackie, where we have initiated an international educational dialogue between special schools who utilise Access Dinghies in their lifestyle programs. This excursion was successful and I returned to Florida enthused to document the positive outcomes of these, as well as our sailing program in Miami.
Our
program is the MAR²INE Academy (Marine Academy of Research and Recreation
in Nautical Environments). This is Miami's first full inclusion, four
year program of study. As a result, the community has started the paperwork
for a foundation, Anchors Away, that will place these Dinghy's in every
water sport program in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County. Fitting right
in with Access Dinghy development throughout Asia, I developed the Sport
Science Curriculum at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
We are in love with our Access Dinghies and our school programs have
grown ten fold. Our newest partner, the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, is
having a successful time with the school aged children, from 6-19 who
have benefited from the Access Dinghies. I will keep you informed of the
outcomes and developments. (Return to
Index)
14. UPCOMING EVENTS
2005
July 2-3
French Access Dinghy C'ships
St Quentin en Yvelines near Paris
La Voile Ensemble
July 4-9
2005 Trapseat 16 World C'ships
Central Okanagan Sailing Association
Kelowna, British Columbia, CANADA
Gillian Thomson
August 6
Canadian Access Dinghy C'ships
Quinte Sailability
Quinte, Ontario
August 26-28
"State of Origin" Regatta
Sailability Northern Rivers
Dept of Sport & Rec, Lake Ainsworth
Lennox Head, Ballina NSW AUSTRALIA
September 2-3
UK Access Dinghy Chapionships
Pitsford Reservoir, Northants
Northampton Sailability
September 10
Access Dinghy Regatta
Erie Adaptive Sailing Experience
Erie, Pennsylvania, USA
October 1-10
2005 IFDS Single Person Dinghy
World C'ships
San Felice Circeo, Italy
October 9-14
10th Australian Masters Games
Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia & Adelaide Sailing Club
Contact Deidre Schahinger
2006
January 26-29
Australian & International
Access Dinghy C'ships
Docklands Yacht Club
Melbourne AUSTRALIA
Sept (TBA)
FESPIC Games
Far East & Sth Pacific Disabled Games
Kuala Lumper, MALAYSIA
Contact Your National Paralympic
Committee
(Return to Index)
Copyright © Access Dinghies, 2002-2006