Inclusive Sailing News
4 August 2011

Welcome to the third edition of YNZ’s newsletter that is specific to the NZ community for sailors with a disability. This is a monthly newsletter compiled with content from YNZ affiliated clubs and associations, and will include news, information, events, best practice, and anything else relevant to sailors with a disability.

Please help spread the word about this newsletter by forwarding it on to other contacts who can self subscribe to receive the newsletter in the future.

NZL Qualified in 2.4mR Class for 2012

Auckland Sailor Paul Francis has qualified a spot for NZL at the London 2012 Paralympics in the single person keelboat. After an outstanding result at the IFDS World Championships in July, the 2.4mR is now the second qualification for the country at this event. Last year, Tim Dempsey and Jan Apel secured a place for NZL in the Skud-18, the two person keelboat.

“I’m really happy with the opportunities for and recent success of our sailors” comments Rob Hielkema, who looks after the Paralympic program at YNZ.  “There seems to be a snowball effect with support and resources. We’ve been working hard with Paralympics NZ and the Sailability organizations, a lot of resources are coming into this area. The future is looking prosperous.”

It is yet to be determined who will be representing NZL in these classes, as athletes continue with their campaigns in order to meet selection criteria.

In the Spotlight: Sailability Wellington

Sailability Wellington continues to sail on both Fridays and Sundays throughout winter. Last Friday they had 17 sailors on the water, and that’s just in the afternoon! Unfortunately, but somewhat to be expected some days have been lost through bad weather.

For this organization, there will be alot of activity in the coming months. Beginning at the start of September, an eight week trial based at Seaview Marina in the Hutt Valley on Tuesdays. This is to enable people who live in the Hutt a chance to give sailing a go and see if they want to continue with it as a recreation, therapy or learn to race. "We are excited about this trial and if it is popular, a possible continuation of it" says Sailability Wellington Trustee Annabelle Tye.

October 30th 2011, they are joining with YNZ and WYA in a display marquee on the waterfront hopefully with some 303’s to “Have a Go” in. This is all a part of Wellington’s Outdoor Activity Celebration. In November members of the Race Squad will be with other sailors from around New Zealand at the Paralympic NZ National Championships at Lake Karapiro whilst one sailor hopes to make it to Sail Sydney and Sail Melbourne. "It’s always great to see people from other yacht clubs and Sailability groups from around the country when we have the opportunity to meet at some of these events" Annabelle continues.

Pictured left: A photo of some Sailability Wellington  sailors who sailed out to Somes Island in May to join in a barbecue with Evans Bay Yacht Club at the end of the summer season.

If you know somebody who may be interested in joining theTrial in the Hutt Valley or coming to “Have a Go” on the waterfront on 30th October, please help spread the word. Contact Sailability Wellington by sending an e-mail to sailabilitywgtn@xtra.co.nz. 

New sailors are always welcome  to come along any Friday or Sunday to have a trial sail – just send an e-mail or leave a message on our phone (04 4724546) first.

Blind Sailors Represent RNZYS at Upcoming Yokohama Regatta

A Blind Sailing team representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has been invited to take part in an invitation regatta, to be held at the Yokohama Cruising Club, near Tokyo, in early September 2011.

This is the Squadron’s second invitation to this event, as 2 teams under the management of Ross Masters competed at Yokohama in 2009. This year’s team, which will race in a fleet of J24 yachts, owned by the Yokohama Cruising Club, consists of both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Blind Sailing New Zealand who are Dick Lancaster of Taumaranui and Dave Allerton of Taranaki. Brian Trubovich of the RNZYS and Paul Moriarty of Taranaki, are the sighted members of the crew.

Following the regatta, the team will inspect the venue for the next World Blind Sailing Championships, to be held in Japan in 2013. The team are looking forward to the regatta, and are anticipating the usual generosity of the host club, which is reknowned for it’s VIP treatment of guests from New Zealand.

Japan and New Zealand Blind Sailing teams historically have very close links, and certainly enjoy each other’s company whenever they meet. Stay tuned to this newsletter for their results when they return.

Sailing Simulator Joins International Research Program

In the near future, the Auckland Sailing Simulator Program will be commencing a Research Program along with Melbourne University and The Johns Hopkins Hospital of Baltimore. The research is aimed to test two hypothesis:

• That the use of sailing simulator technology enables people with disabilities to learn the skills required to sail on the water, but in a safe, non-threatening environment and that these skills are transferable to sailing on the water.
• That learning to sail by people with disabilities to a stage where they are competent to sail on the water in moderate conditions (wind strength up to 12 knots) shows measurable improvements in quality of life, morale, self-esteem and self-confidence.

The Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit (ASRU) is also investigating a few things on their own including: barriers to transition, the individual’s perception of readiness in transitioning to on the water sailing and quality of life when using the simulator alone.

The sailing simulator is now a regular fixture of the ASRU, and has introduced dozens of sailors to the sport, including accomplished Kiwi Skud-18 crew member Jan Apel. Carol Stead (C6) is a testament to the opportunity provided through sailing at the spinal unit, and the positive influence it has made on her rehabilitation.

Carol writes below about her experience:
"I had been sailing on the simulator at the Auckland Spinal Unit for about 5 weeks and Brendan decided that I would be proficient enough to sail on the water. I was hoisted into the dinghy from the jetty and my job was to control the steering. I was very lucky to have Jan Apel, who competed in the World Champs in England, on the front seat controlling the sails, which included a gennaker.  We tacked out of the viaduct, I managed to avoid the moored boats and once we were out in the open water, we were off.  Soon we were racing along with the gennaker up and we the support boat was having a hard time keeping up. Our approximate speed got to 12- 15 knots.  What a thrill.  I was grinning the whole way around the course and so well rugged up because it was so blustery, the only part that you could see of my face were my eyes. I didn‘t feel the cold. The afternoon was the highlight of my stay at the spinal Unit and I‘m so very grateful to Brendan Tourelle for organising this special trip out as I didn‘t expect to be able to do some-thing as wonderful as this during my stay at the Spinal Unit. Special thanks for Jan for trusting me to go with her."

More information about this research can be obtained through Brendan Tourelle btourelle@gmail.com.

Learn Racing Rules in Depth: Free Judging Seminars

Level one judging seminars offer in depth coverage of parts one and two of the Racing Rules of Sailing and judging processes. These courses are open to all sailors and aspiring judges, umpires and race officers. Dates and locations are listed below:

• Port Chalmers Yacht Club on 20th and 21st August
• Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club on 27th and 28th of August
• Auckland 3rd & 4th September
• Napier Yacht Club 10th & 11th September
• Opua Yacht Club 17th & 18th September

This is a really great opportunity for anybody involved in yacht racing to improve their knowledge and understanding of the rules. Space is limited, so register as soon as possible with Gerry@yachtingnz.org.nz. More information can be found on the YNZ Website

New Directions for Blind Sailing NZ

After the recent Annual General Meeting for Blind Sailing NZ, some new direction and goals were established for the organization.  Ten people attended a workshop/ planning session to discuss things such as strategies for growing participation, retention of existing sailing membership and the creation of a pathway for sailors to progress from being introduced to the sport to participating at international events.

One element of key importance raised on this day was the value in building and strengthening relationships with yacht clubs, other blind sport organizations, and the Sailability organizations.

“A very productive discussion was had by all” said Dick Lancaster, Chairmanof Blind Sailing NZ.  “Acknowledging our new direction I feel very positive about our future”.

This next year will see more ‘have a go’ style days to attract more blind sailors into the sport, and a support network to keep them in the system for long term. If you or somebody you know may be interested in learning more about this organization, please visit their website.

Sailing Opportunity of a Different Kind

The Spirit of Adventure Trust has scheduled a 5-day ‘inspiration voyage’ for youth aged 16-20 with physical disabilities in February 2012. Each year up to 30 young people with disabilities are able to take part on this voyage, largely sponsored by the Lions Clubs of New Zealand. This exciting trip provides a chance for building confidence and overcoming challenges that would usually be outside the boundaries.

Nominations for youth who are keen to take part are due by September 30th 2011, more information can be found on their website or by emailing info@spiritofadventure.org.nz

Sailability Auckland have two 2.4 mR training boats, available for a long term loan. These boats would be a great starting point for anyone interested in getting some experience in the one person paralympic class keelboat.

Both boats are fully rigged with one set of training sails, launching trolleys, boat covers, and auto/manual bilges. Assistance with transportation may be a possibility.

If you are interested please contact Brendan 0210554929 btourelle@gmail.com.

Submit Your News and Events

This newsletter will be sent monthly, and highlight news, information, events and any relevant content for sailors with a disability. If you would like anything to be included please send content to Kristine Lederis at Yachting New Zealand: kristine@yachtingnz.org.nz