NT ACT WA NSW SA Tasmania Queensland Victoria 10TH ISSUE Newsletter 2006-2012 News from the National Sailability Committee of Yachting Australia, state and territory Sailability Associations and Sailability World. Issue 10 Summer /Autumn 2012 Editor, Copy, Design, Production and Distribution: Graeme Adam [email protected] The world comes to Sydney From the helm 2012 IS A BIG YEAR FOR sailors of all abilities with the Access Worlds in Australia for the first time. Volunteers from Sailability branches are urgently needed. Email Julie Hodder at [email protected] This is the 10th issue of Sailability Newsletter. Through creating this newsletter, Graeme Adam has enabled Sailability members throughout Australia to share their experiences with not only their fellow sailors but also current and potential SKUD 18s will one of the classes competing in the Worlds. Photo: David Staley sponsors of our organization. The newsletter is a great tool to THE AUSTRALIAN ACCESS CLASS ASSOCIATION is working with yacht clubs and State Sailability Associations to stage six class championships in 2012. The season kicked assist us achieve the goal of th improving community awareness – off on the 15 January with the inaugural Tasmanian Access Class Championship, host- it has already done wonders. ed by Derwent Sailing Squadron in cooperation with Sailability Tasmania. I encourage all members throughout The climax of the Access regatta season will be the Macquarie Access Class World & Australia to send Graeme articles of International Championships in Sydney April 7-13, to be hosted by Middle Harbor Yacht ‘Special’ events that happen in your Club, with the support of Sailability Middle Harbor, Sailability NSW, Macquarie Group area. Remember this newsletter is Foundation , Access Class Association and the NSW Government. This is the first event your newsletter & it is about bringing to include ISAF Authorised Access Class World Championships (Access 2.3 single the Aussie Sailability family together. person, Access 303 two person & Access Liberty single person) in Australia. The waterways around MHYC will be busy this summer with the NSW championships, an AACA National Coaching Clinic, culminating in the Worlds. IACA Executive Officer Neil Anderson David is expecting around 120 sailors to be competing in Access 2.3, 303, Liberty and Chairman Staley SKUD 18. National Sailability Committee More on the Worlds and the full 2012 program on page 2 . Thoroughly modern Blairgowrie PROMOTING SAILING FOR ALL is in the project was developed to facilitate public DNA of the Sailability crew at Blairgowrie awareness of the Sailability experience, tar- Yacht Squadron on Port Phillip Bay (Vic). geting potential sailors, volunteers, BYS was well and truly put on the map special schools and possible sponsors. when they hosted the IFDS Worlds in The beautiful DVD, and the eleven 2004. Members of the club moved heaven associated YouTube clips and club website and earth to make this event a success. links were produced by BYS member The club continued to set the pace in com- Ray McKenna. Click on YouTube and type mitment and innovation. In 2011 a film in Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron. (cont on page 4) Sailability Australia is the Australian arm of the international Sailability movement with eight state or territory Sailability associations. Australian sailors with disabilities are represented nationally by delegates on Yachting Australia’s Sailability Committee (nominated by State Yachting Associations) and internationally through Yachting Australia’s membership of Sailability World, the International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) and the Australian Paralympic Committee. 3/12 Page 2 Sailability Australia Newsletter Issue 10, Summer/Autumn 2012 MHYC, Access and Sailability team up Compass “Best Access regatta ever” MHYC Commodore Julie Hodder: 'We are Points delighted MHYC has been chosen to stage these prestigious championships. We have the facilities and team to make it the ‘Best News from Sailability’s Access Regatta Ever.” state associations 'It’s important disabled athletes have the opportunity to compete internationally. We will build on the excellent work undertaken by the For the Access Worlds and coaching Club’s Sailability program for disabled sailors programs that precede the racing, Continued from page 1 held every second Sunday at the Club.” the AACA and MHYC are looking to Over the past 15 years, the Class has gained charter Access boats and safety boats. Email the AACA’s Planning the Worlds: ACA President Terry Peek, a strong following in Australia with active Executive Officer, David Staley Commodore Julie Hodder & AACA NSW Delegate support being provided by Sailability working [email protected]. Tony Clear at MHYC in close alliance with established sailing clubs. ***** Volunteers from Sailability branches MIDDLE HARBOUR YACHT CLUB, ACCESS are urgently needed in a variety of CLASS AND SAILABILITY AUSTRALIA are support roles. Contact MHYC Com- teaming up to stage the Access Class 2012 modore Julie Hodder ASAP World and International Championships from [email protected] April 7-13. The event is expected to attract over ***** 120 disabled sailors from 12 countries. Churchill’s Lumen Christi Primary School's are part of Yachting Victo- These Championships will provide a great MHYC has joined with the Macquarie Group opportunity for disabled athletes to demonstrate ria's tackers' program. At Latrobe Foundation, Freemasons (Lodge Sir James Valley Yacht Club (Vic) students their sailing ability in an international arena. Hardy), the NSW Government, Estate Master, learn about boat handling and water The open class is open to competitors of all and Roads and Maritime Services, Manly safety. While the club manages levels of ability, providing one of the few sport- Yacht Club and Middle Harbour Skiff Club to Sailability programs for those with ing arenas where disabled athletes compete on provide volunteers and resources to support disabilities, working with younger equal terms with able-bodied athletes. sailors is the next step. the program. Rotary are helping via Sailability. ***** Some 80% of the competitors will be disabled. International Access Class Association Many are wheelchair bound on land. In compet- At the internationally supported President, Terry Peek said: “The IACA is ing they will experience a sense of freedom and Rotary Mobility Cup, conducted by delighted that Middle Harbour Yacht Club will the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club at adventure generally not considered possible. be hosting the 2012 Worlds. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, ‘'The Club has an excellent reputation for Aussie Genevieve Wickham of Oustanding track record conducting high standard events and Sailability@Royal Perth Yacht Club Middle Harbour Yacht Club, at the Spit, approaches the Worlds with enthusiasm and finished in first place in Liberty Class Mosman, boasts an outstanding track record of with 17 points. Making her the North professionalism. It will be well supported by American Champion! hosting numerous high-profile sailing events, AACA and Sailability Australia.” including the Sydney Harbour Regatta and the Sailability volunteers urgently needed. Julie Short Ocean Racing Championship – the lead Hodder [email protected] up to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. With a membership of 1600 and the largest About the boats active sailing membership in Sydney, MHYC is one of Australia's most respected yacht clubs, The Access classes are universal design sailing with numerous Olympians and National boats sailed by people of all abilities around the champions amongst its members. world. There are now more than 1800 boats sailing Recognised as a national leader in sail train- world-wide. The Access 2.3 is an International Sail- ing Federation (ISAF) International Class keelboat. ing and aquatic education programs, the Club The 303 and Liberty are ISAF Recognised John Price has been elected premises is also the home of the Australian Classes. Access 2.3 and 303 fleets throughout Aus- President of Sailability NSW, Neil Sailing Team. tralia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific, Europe and North Anderson and Jack Hunt, The Club’s highly-qualified race management America continue to grow, with the majority of boats both Vice-Presidents, Sue Hunt team, who managed key course areas for the being used in Sailability programs. Acting Executive Secretary with all Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, will manage the The SKUD 18, at 5.8 metres, is the largest of the other positions re-elected. event with support from Sailability branches. Access classes, and is the two person boat selected ***** for 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Sailing Competitions. Sue succeeds Tish Ennis who took With its asymmetric gennaker and high tech rig, the over “temporarily” and did an boat is an exciting challenge for able-bodied and amazing job with both passion and disabled sailors alike. The SKUD has been designed attention to detail for six years. to offer exciting high performance sailing for racing John Price took over from sailors regardless of their mobility. Elizabeth Atkin who was SNSW’s very capable President for two years Competition divisions ***** Congratulations to David Fernie of The Combined World and International Champion- Sailability NSW for the enormous ships will incorporate the following divisions, each effort he has put in to creating a fresh sailing 10 heats over 5 days of racing: new website for SNSW. Now it’s up - Access 2.3 Single Person Open World Chp to members to fill the site with useful ·