Access Sailing Systems announce name change

by Di Pearson on 14 May 2013 Access Sailing Systems Pty Ltd has had a name change to Hansa Sailing Systems Pty Ltd, to reflect its goal of introducing people of all ages and from all backgrounds to sailing, and has adopted the Hansa sailing brand for its range of small keelboats and accessories.

In line with the name change, the company has launched a brand new website and opened an online shop, making it easy for clubs, groups and individuals to order their new boats.

In the past 10 years, the name Access has been synonymous with disabled sailing, and now the company’s managing director, Chris Mitchell, wants to take this opportunity to re-position its products and shift its focus to the mainstream sailing market.

While the company’s products, such as its 2.3, 303, Liberty and Paralympic class SKUD 18, are all still available, they will now come under the Hansa brand.

Commenting on the name change to Hansa, Mitchell said today: 'This year was an ideal opportunity to update the corporate identity of the commercial and class association entities.

'It has been proved that the company and its craft are of more universal appeal and value,' he said, referring to the fact that people have previously identified the boats as being for disabled sailors.

The Hansa Swan, which has been the class insignia since 1994, represents perfect union and balance – a vehicle for the harmony of wind, sea and sailor. Its flight also symbolizes an escape from a repetitive cycle – changing the established pattern or taking a different approach – a perfect fit as the company’s new name.

The company’s association with disabled sailing came about because Mitchell’s designs are weighted to avoid capsize and because he spent many years refining the boats’ fit-outs to make it possible for people of any age and ability to go sailing without fear. As such, the boats were adopted by Sailability and other disabled sailing organisations internationally.

However, the former Access boats, which are sailed worldwide, and have world championship titles named for them, are sailed by both abled-bodied and disabled people. They are distinctly appealing to children and adult sailing novices and to those from nations where participation in sailing is low, because the sport is foreign to them.

The boats were originally conceived as an entry level craft for Asia where participation was low, and to provide a confidence-building feeling of safety and ease of use, so based on the boats’ inclusive ‘Sailing for Everyone’ potential, the name ‘Access’ was chosen for its broader meaning.

Over time though, the Access branding was seen as restricting the market sectors that the boats could be successfully promoted to, and limited the potential growth of the class. This is in stark contrast to the company’s aims of growing inclusive participation in sailing as a recreation and sport, and enabling people with a disability to share in mainstream sporting and social activities.

Hansa Sailing aims to combine simplicity in design with value for money. The company strives to achieve efficient manufacturing procedures and minimal waste, provide an enriching and positive work place for its employees, and minimize negative impacts on the environment.

For further information on Hansa Sailing Systems Pty Ltd and its boats, please go to: www.hansasailing.com!Hansa_Sailing_website or phone: +61 2 4403 0595.