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TELLTALES - MARCH 2006
Volume 7 Issue 2
CONTENTS
1.ACCESS DINGHY WINS 2006 AUSTRALIAN SPORTS AWARD
2. SPECIAL OLYMPICS & SAILABILITY - A Unique Relationship
3. SO, let's get this boat afloat
4. ACCESSIBLE SAILING FOR INDIA
5. BAADS - ACCESS DINGHY PROGRAM
6. SKUD18 IS LAUNCHED
7. LA VOILE ENSEMBLE
8. YES EUROPE
9. INTERNATIONAL ACCESS CLASS ASSOCIATION
10. AUSTRALIAN & INTERNATIONAL ACCESS CHAMPIONSHIPS
11. ACCESS DINGHY FOUNDATION SPONSOR
12. WE GOTTA REGATTA
13. SAILABILITY POINT PIPER
14. 2006 FESPIC GAMES
15. UPCOMING EVENTS
1. ACCESS DINGHY WINS 2006 AUSTRALIAN SPORTS AWARD
Access
Dinghy Sailing Systems was awarded the Business Innovation prize for their
revolutionary SKUD18 (Skiff - Universal Design) sailboat at the 26th Australian
Sports Awards held in Sydney on 22 February.
At a gala presentation ceremony for the Australian Sports Awards, Access Dinghy Sailing Systems was awarded the Business Innovation prize for their revolutionary SKUD18 sailboat. Conceived and developed by Access Dinghy Sailing Systems' principal Chris Mitchell, with design collaboration from renowned Australian skiff designer Julian Bethwaite, the 5.8 metre long
SKUD18 is a lead-assisted skiff with asymmetrical spinnaker and hi-tech
rig.
The Access SKUD18 was selected in December 2005 by the International Association
for Disabled Sailing as the new two-person class for the Beijing Paralympic
Sailing competition.
The SKUD18 is the latest in the range of Access sailboats developed by
Mitchell. The first of the fleet, the easy to sail Access 2.3 which is
now sailed in over 15 countries, was recently elevated to the status of
'International Class' by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).
On January 27, Federal Minister for Sport, Senator the Honourable Rod
Kemp, officially launched the SKUD and opened the largest regatta in Australia
for sailors with disabilities. The ceremony was staged at Victoria Harbour
in Melbourne Docklands, venue for the Melbourne Stopover for the Volvo
Ocean Race (see STORY 6)
Access Dinghy was supported with its project by the Australian Government
through its business unit AusIndustry with an innovation grant to develop
the SKUD18.
AusIndustry delivers a range of more than 30 business products, including
innovation grants, tax and duty concessions, small business services,
and support for industry competitiveness worth nearly $2 billion each
year to about 10,000 small and large businesses.
Return to top
2. SPECIAL OLYMPICS & SAILABILITY
During January and February Special Olympics Australia and Sailability Australia established a relationship that will benefit athletes with Intellectual Disabilities throughout Australia.
Sailors from Special Unit of Kandos High School, central
NSW
Currently in Australia Special Olympics delivers participation and competition pathways in ten sports, Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball, Bocci, Bowling , Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and are developing the sports of cricket, winter sports and equestrian.
With Sailability activities in Australia already providing Sailing to between 1,000 and 2,000 sailors with intellectual disabilities, discussions have resulted in a ground breaking relationship whereby Sailability will officially deliver Sailing on behalf of Special Olympics Australia.
The benefits are high to all parties involved, with the key winners being athletes with Intellectual Disabilities. Sailors now have a clear pathway to represent their country at World Games competition, as well as the opportunity to experience the existing sports already offered by SOA. Special Olympics athletes from all sports will be encouraged to experience the joys that sailing can offer.
Pending notification from Special Olympics International regarding allocation for team quotas for SOA to participate in the Sailing competitions at the World Summer Games being held in Shanghai in 2007, an Australian selection regatta is being planned at Lake Tuggeranong in ACT, November 18-19 2006.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Special Olympics Australia
Ann Monaghan- annm@specialolympics.com.au
Sailability Australia
Terry Peek-terrypeek@bigpond.com
3. SO, LET'S GET THIS BOAT AFLOAT
Ann Monaghan, Australian Sports & Training Manager
Special Olympics Australia is very excited about the partnership with Sailability. Both organisations have the same goals to provide opportunities for children and adults with an intellectual disability. In coming together we increase pathways, prospects, awareness and achievements. We welcome the chance to expand Sailing to the athletes in Special Olympics Australia and an opportunity for Sailability members to try our range of sports, along with athlete initiatives like the Athlete Leadership Program (ALP).
Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. It provides children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round training and competition in 26 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. The global Special Olympics movement got its start on 20 July 1968, when the First International Special Olympics Games were held at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, USA. But the concept of Special Olympics was born much earlier, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver (sister of President Kennedy) started a day camp for people with intellectual disabilities at her home in 1962. Today Special Olympics currently serves more than 2.25 million persons with intellectual disabilities in more than 200 Programs in more than 150 countries.
For further information please visit our website
www.specialolympics.com.au
www.specialolympics.org or phone 1300 225 762
4. ACCESSIBLE SAILING FOR INDIA
Dipak Pradipak, Chairman Elect, Sailability India
Editor: Thanks to the generosity of Sailability Pittwater,
the Access Dinghy Foundation, Action Kayaks and Canoe Sports, 2 x 2.3
Access, 1 x 303 Access and 4 x sea kayaks were delivered to Hyderabad
India during January where the first branch of Sailability India is being
established. Maersk Australia Pty Ltd continued their magnificent sponsorship
of Access Dinghy Foundation, providing the container to Chennai for no
charge. In early May, Sailability Pittwater volunteer Allan Jones will
return for his second visit to India to advise Dipak and his team on the
use of Access Dinghies and help where possible, with the establishment
of a national Sailability organisation in India.
The Sunday sail was in beginners air. Light and fluky. And the summer heat had set in. But everyone came with their wives and children and were with us for a few hours. In a relaxed mood under the trees waiting for their turn or sailing the boats. They were helped by a team of volunteers from the Corps of Artillery Sailing Club, where the boats are moored. Thank you Girish,Yakoob and Kaushal !
We learnt a lot about the prospective candidates for the FESPIC Games in Kuala Lumpur. That Rishab, aged 16 and with Downs Syndrome is an excellent Gold medal swimmer at national level; that 8 year old Jayalakshmi, also with the same problem, was weak in one hand so she used both hands on the joy stick. That Fatima has not only her Polio to contend with but also unusual allergies. Major AK Singh phoned in from Lucknow expressing his willingness to participate in the FESPIC Games and practice in the Access 303. His extensive dinghy sailing experience in single handers like the OK Dinghy and the Laser would come in useful as well as his one legged experiences on the yacht Trishna.
These four make up the team and have a lot of training to do but have the time to do it, till November, and the equipment to train in (thanks Australia). The Notice of Race for FESPIC Games in Malaysia in November this year was studied closely by all as was the Constitution of Sailability India. A strategic plan of preparation was worked out keeping the competitors' special needs in mind.
Now to secure the blessings of Yachting Association of India, our Member National Authority to ISAF, to acknowledge our Constitution. I am sure the YAI, as the apex body of the sport in India, would encourage our objectives spelt out in our Constitution.
5.
BAADS - ACCESS DINGHY PROGRAMME
Dan Leininger, Vice Commadore BAADS
Director of Operations, Treasure Island Sailing Center
The
Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors (BAADS), located in San Francisco,
California, has begun training Instructors to teach sailing in it's newly
acquired "fleet" of Access Dinghies. BAADS has plans to start
a Summer Sailing Program to offer lessons to disabled and disadvantaged
San Francisco Bay Area youth.
Timing, some luck, and a lot of hard work went in to making this a reality
for BAADS. San Francisco has been redeveloping the waterfront area around
South Beach Harbor- home to BAADS and it's sponsoring yacht club, the
South Beach Yacht Club (SBYC). Under the leadership of former Commodore
Herb Meyer, BAADS, the SBYC Board of Directors and the Harbor Manager
at South Beach Harbor, Mr. Jim Nybakken, began to lobby hard for a dinghy
dock as part of the project- something the harbor did not have. Through
collaboration with Chris Mitchell, the dock dimensions were determined,
proper racks were obtained, and the dock became a reality.
The
BAADS Access fleet consists of eight dinghies. Five of the boats that
BAADS now owns were demonstration boats that made their way around North
America over the past 5 years or so. The remaining three boats were a
donation from the Tradewinds Foundation, headed by Fred Hess, which recently
closed it's West Coast operation. The BAADS fleet of Access Dinghies is
now the largest fleet on the U.S. West Coast.
The new dinghy program is being coordinated by Herb Meyer, and Greg Williams.
Volunteers and a cash donation from American President Lines (APL) will
provide on-going support. In addition to it's new dinghy program, BAADS
continues it's "Sunday-Sail" program in three keelboats. Commodore
Ed Gallagher is very proud of the new programs that BAADS will be able
to offer to the community, and has been campaigning in local schools for
new students.
South Beach Harbor is located at Pier 40, The Embarcadero in San Francisco-
just south of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Please join us if
you are ever in the area!
Herb Meyer and Dylan of BAADS
Return to top
6.
AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR THE ARTS & SPORT LAUNCHES SKUD18
On February 28, Federal Minister for Sport, Senator the Honourable Rod Kemp, officially launched the Australian-designed yacht for the 2008 Paralympics and opened the largest regatta in Australia for sailors with disabilities. The ceremony was staged at Victoria Harbour in Melbourne Docklands, venue for the Melbourne Stopover for the Volvo Ocean Race.
ABOVE L-R:
Deirdre Schahinger-President, Australian Access Class Assoc
Phil Jones - CEO, Yachting Australia
Senator Kemp
Chris Mitchell
John Burgess - President , Yachting Victoria
Excerpt from Senator Kemp's speech at Docklands Yacht Club, Melbourne.
"The SKUD18 is a very impressive boat. The technology is remarkable: breath-operated controllers, joysticks that can be operated with various parts of the body and servo assist winches for all actions of the boat. This is yet another fine example of Australian innovation and technology leading the world.
This boat was designed with the help of a R&D grant from Ausindustry,
which is the Australian Government's business program delivery division
in the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources. The SKUD18 was one
of eight Victorian projects awarded a total of more than $3.5 million
in innovation funding by the Australian Government.
With this boat, Access Dinghy has certainly lived up to the concept of
"sailing for everyone" and their mission of helping everyone
to enjoy sailing, regardless of age ability, or financial means. And this
boat is carrying Australian innovation to the world after being selected
as the craft for the new Two Person Sailing Competition at the 2008 Paralympic
Games in
Beijing.
The Australian Government is also very pleased to support Sailing in Australia
with programs and funding that assist in developing our international
representatives as well as fostering grass roots participation. This financial
year alone, we will provide a package of more than $3.3 million to Yachting
Australia through the Australian Sports Commission.
This funding supports activities such as an Australian Institute of Sport
sailing program, international competition and training camps. It is also
pleasing to see the sport of sailing, through Yachting Australia, embrace
Project CONNECT. Project CONNECT is a national initiative of the Australian
Sports Commission. It is a transition program for sport designed specifically
to prepare sport for the inclusion of people with a disability at all
levels from grass roots to the elite.
I would like to thank all those who have worked tirelessly on the SKUD18
boat for their dedication and their creativity. This is a wonderful success
story and it will help people all over the world to enjoy this magnificent
sport."
BELOW: Chris Mitchell explains the specialised seating
concept and
servo assist controls to Senator Kemp.
7.
LA VOILE ENSEMBLE
On february 4 2006 the Access Dinghy Class Association was established
in France. The name "La Voile Ensemble" remains and this new
association concerns all Access Classes in France.
President: Marie-Claude
Acker-Frotiee
Vice President: Arlette Claustre
8. YES EUROPE
Zoltan Pegan, Trustee Access
Dinghy Foundation
Amsterdam, December 2004. IFDS held the Yes! Europe (Young
Enabled Sailors) conference with the aim of advising the attendees on
how to further their country's sailing programs based on the central theme
of enabling young people, both disabled and not. It was here that I met
Wilfried Klien from Germany and Diego Cukaric from Croatia. They both
expressed a desire to get young disabled people in their communities involved
in sailing.
The Germans have had strong elite sailors representing their country at
each Disabled World Championships and Paralympics but there isn't an organised
entry-level structure.
The Croatians have a fantastic coastline along the Adriatic Sea and plenty
of fine Mediterranean weather, two important ingredients for any sailor.
I have been entrusted with the care of four Access Dinghies and a trailer.
Together, they are Chris Mitchell's "European Mobile Unit",
a selection of servo-equipped and non-servo Access 2.3 and 303 dinghies
to be used for Come & Try events.
This
July, thanks to the efforts of Wilfried Klien we will be conducting a
three day event for 12-20 disabled youth in Essen, in the northwestern
Ruhr region of Germany. He's organized the all-inclusive "Access
Dinghy Event", with accommodation, volunteers, coaches, the works,
with the support of the Deutsche Behinderten-Sportjugend (DBSJ) and local
sponsors. DBSJ is the youth organization of Deutschen Behindertensportverband
(DBS), the National Paralympic Committee of Germany.
Meanwhile, in Pula, Croatia, my other new friend, Diego
Cukaric (after his return to competitive sailing in the Sabaudia Cup last
October) is getting organized for a similar event with the support of
his local sailing club and Rotary.
Me? I'm the lucky guy who gets to travel to these great places and do
a little sailing. Have Mobile Unit, will travel.
9. INTERNATIONAL ACCESS CLASS ASSOCIATION
David Staley, Executive Officer
The establishment of the International Access Class Association and its
National affiliates is a significant step in bringing Access sailing into
the mainstream of the sport. The new Associations will concentrate on
the development of the classes and competitive sailing.
Access Dinghies are the boats of choice around the world for accessible
sailing programs and for many sailors with a disability. However, the
Access Classes have not enjoyed official status within the International
sailing community. Now with the formation of the International Access
Class Association (IACA) some major steps forward have become possible.
In November 2005, the International Sailing Federation designated the
Access 2.3 as an ISAF International Class and the Access 303 as a ISAF
Recognised Class. It is anticipated that the Access Liberty will be designated
an ISAF Recognised Class before the end of 2006. The real highlight however,
is the selection of the latest Access class the UD18 (being commercially
released as the SKUD 18) as the new 2-person boat for the Beijing Paralympics.
As you can see, the Access classes have now 'arrived' as part of mainstream
sailing. The IACA will be working with National Authorities to establish
the series of Access dinghies as a recognized development pathway for
sailors with a disability.
All active Access Dinghy sailors are encouraged to join and support heir
National Access Class Association. Apart from becoming eligible to compete
in National and World Access Championships, you will receive direct and
regular updates via email. Information can be obtained from the Association's
Secretary, Jenny Bell
10. AUSTRALIAN & INTERNATIONAL ACCESS CHAMPIONSHIPS
A VOLUNTEER'S VIEW OF THE NATIONALS
Steve Sampson, South Australia
I
recently travelled to Melbourne for the Access Dinghy National Titles
with Deirdre and Bob Schahinger (25-29 Jan). These great little boats
are 2.3, 303 and the Liberty.
After a nine hour driveto Melbourne, we drove 45 min to the factory at Dandenong to pick up our three Liberty's returned from the Worlds in Italy. The next four days were to be the most rewarding in my 40 something years in this great sport of ours.
Deirdre (now national Access Class president!!) Bob, I and Belinda (one of our sailor's carers) signed on as volunteers working with a host of others - and work we did.
Docklands Yacht Club which is in a new location did a great job as hosts running the show from a shared shed in the old Victoria dock. The sailors made the regatta, some having mild or acquired disabilities to sailors with most severe, especially the guys and girls with cerebral palsy.
We had a blind sailor who Bob looked after. He did not tell him where to sail but told him where various marks were using the o'clock system and he did the rest very well. The courage and skill displayed on the water was incredible from the beginner classes to the most experienced was very humbling. Some of these guys would kick my butt out there. But whatever the degree of disability, it evaporated on the water.
This was only a brief on what has captured my imagination as a class. Remember, sailing is for everyone. The 2006/2007 Access Nationals will be at Adelaide Sailing Club at Easter 2007.
Published & edited with permission of Editor, Sailability S.A. Newsletter.
RESULTS
International Access 2.3
Div 1 Morgan Staley Black Rock SC, VIC
Div 2 Robert Eadie Tasmania
Div 3 Cathy Trotter S'bility Gold Coast,
Div 4 Mark Thorpe Lake Wellington YC
2P Ralph Brunskill Sailability Belmont
Access 303 (Recognised Class)
Single Paul Borg Gippsland Lake YC
2P Roy Jewell Docklands YC, VIC
Liberty
Manual Chris Riordan Adelaide SC, S.A.
Servo Dave Cook Canada
Other Trophies
Team Trophy - Sailability Gold Coast, QLD
Best Junior - Morgan Staley Black Rock SC
Best Female - Genevieve Broadbent, S'bility WA
Servo (Dev 1-7) - Martin Waller Sugarloaf SC,
Encouragement - Jane Purbrick Lysterfield SC
Most Improved - Martin Waller Sugarloaf SC
Hans Hill Volunteer Trophy - Bill Gabriel Sailability ACT
Maersk Travellers Award - David Cook Canada & Bob Bellemy UK
11. ACCESS DINGHY FOUNDATION SPONSOR
12. WE GOTTA
REGATTA
2005 NORTH AMERICAN ACCESS DINGHY C'SHIPS
Debby Frenkel
Thirty-two sailors of various ages and abilities fled "to" the waters of Lake Avalon, at Sugden Regional Park in Naples, Florida, leaving behind wheelchairs, crutches and their personal assistants to compete against one another in the We Gotta Regatta, also 2005's North American National Access Dinghy Championship (NANADC).
The January 13-15, 2006 regatta, rescheduled because of hurricane Wilma, was dedicated to Dell Darby, one of Collier County Sailing Center's own sailors who lost her battle with cancer at the age of 67, on January 11, 2006.
Joshua
Seidner, a 15 year old, Ft. Lauderdale sailor recovering from Leukemia,
took all first places in the 2.3 Single Fleet during the regatta, which
also secured him as the Winner of the 2005 North American National Access
Dinghy Championship.
Paola Santiago, 10 year old, Naples volunteer was awarded the NANADC Encouragement
Award. Coaches from the five programs around Florida gathered together
with the race committee to decide who deserved this year's award and Paola
was voted for unanimously for her assistance off, and especially on the
water. Paola sailed with two developmentally disabled sailors in their
respective heats of the day, which put her on the water more than any
other sailor. She is a new volunteer that has faithfully come to the program
to assist and continuously goes above and beyond what is asked of her.
.
Sailors came from all over North America. Skip Doyle, a seasoned sailor
with polio, from the Lake Ontario area sailed competitively against Kerry
Gruson from Miami in the 303 Fleet and came in first place with three
bullets. Paul Callahan, a sailor with quadriplegia, from Newport, Rhode
Island also made an appearance.
Events like the We Gotta Regatta and all-inclusive sailing programs, like
the one in Naples offers the opportunity for ALL individuals to participate
in a sport on an equal playing field regardless of age, ability, challenges
or economics.
For more information contact
Debra Frenkel
305-588-2082
12.
SAILABILITY POINT PIPER
- a new concept for Sailability
Jackie Kay
Sailability Point Piper (SPP) recently became the 25th branch of Sailability
NSW and the 54th branch in Australia. SPP is a new concept for Sailability.
48ft. Expresso, Sailability Point Piper's flagship
Through the generosity of well-known Sydney yachtsman, Denis O'Neil and
son Ned, SPP has been established to provide all members of Sailability
with the opportunity of experiencing Sydney Harbour aboard the 48ft motor
launch Expresso with a skipper and crew being available to provide up
to twelve Sailability members enjoyable cruises on Sydney Harbour.
The Royal Motor Yacht Club of NSW, adjoining Denis' jetty has provided
wheelchair accessible facilities. Because of traffic and parking difficulties
at weekends, Sailability activities are restricted to mid week.
All branches of Sailability NSW are offered the opportunity of organising
regular activities to utilise the facilities of Sailability Point Piper.
Individual regional members of Sailability will also be encouraged to
utilise Sailability Point Piper when coming to Sydney for medical consultations,
wheelchair appointments etc. Interstate and international Sailability
visitors are also most welcome.
With Ned O'Neil at the helm as President, SPP is eager to enrich the
lives of members of Sailability, their family, friends, carers and volunteers.
Contact us and let's organise a day on Sydney Harbour for your branch.
14.
FESPIC GAMES - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Nov 26-30 , 2006
The biggest sporting event for athletes with disabilities, outside
the Paralympic Games
Sailing has been included for the first time at the FESPIC Games. Entry is open to all sailors with a disability from Asia and Oceania. The classes sailed will be the International 2.3 and Liberty. Each country may send up to 4 sailors. In each class of boat, a team will consist of 1 x female and 1 x male disabled sailor.
. 2 x International 2.3 dinghies - 1 x female and 1 x male sailor is
a team-sailing solo.
· 2 x Liberty boats - 1 x female and 1 x male sailor is a team-sailing
solo.
This format is to encourage more females into sailing. Entries for the
Sailing Competition have been received from Australia, China, India, Japan,
Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore.
All boats will be provided free of charge. The 2.3's are being provided by Sailability Singapore and Sailability Malaysia. The 18 x Liberty are provided by the Access Dinghy Foundation and will be shipped from Australia thanks to the generous support of Maersk Australia Pty Ltd.
AUSTRALIA
The Australian Paralympic Committee will coordinate the Australian Team
for this event, with Yachting Australia being responsible for the selection
of the Team. For more information watch www.yachting.org or email Kate
Culbert (Olympic & Paralympic Manager) katie.culbert@yachting.org.au
MALAYSIA-by Zul Bin Mohd Ali
We are excited to host the first sailing competition in FESPIC Games.
Ten Malaysian sailors of different disabilities are training for selection.
We train twice a week at Port Dickson about 2 hours from Kuala Lumpur.
The Malaysian Sailing Association provide our coaches.
Malaysian Liberty sailor, Zul Bin Mohd Ali
Malaysian Liberty sailor, Shimah Binti Hasham
For more information of your national FESPIC - Paralympic Committee or
email info@accessdinghy.org
15. UPCOMING REGATTAS
2006
June 30 - Jul 2
French Access Championships
Club Nautique Alpin de Serre-Ponçon
Embrun 05200
cnasp@wanadoo.fr
La Voile Ensemble
August 12
Canadian Access Championships
Quinte Sailability
Trenton, Ontario
September 1-3
UK Access Championships
Frensham Pond Sailability.
Surrey
September 30-Oct 3
Sabaudia's Cup
San Felice Circeo, Latina, Italy
Sailability Italy
November 18-19 Pending
Australian Special Olympics selection Event
Three Lakes Sailing Club
Lake Tuggeranong, ACT Australia
November 26-30
FESPIC Games
Far East & Sth Pacific Disabled Games
Kuala Lumper, MALAYSIA
Contact your NPC or Access Dinghy
2007
September 7-15
IFDS Disabled World Championship
Rochester Yacht
Club
Rochester, New York USA
Copyright © Access Dinghies, 2002-2006