Another single-handed sailing teen goes for a challenge

Tom Webb in Danera SW

18-year-old Tom, more than half way through his single-handed challenge © SW

Tom,a member of Langstone Sailing Club near the sailing heart of the UK is from Hambrook in Chichester. He set off from the club on 2nd July in his 21-foot Beneteau yacht, Danera. At time of writing he has successfully sailed the east coast of England and Scotland, and has arrived in Glenarm in Northern Ireland. He expects to arrive back at his home sailing club of Langstone on 28th August.

A keen sailor since childhood, Tom has wanted to complete the challenge for several years to help further his sailing skills and also to raise money for several charities which focus on giving people with disabilities the chance to take up sailing.

'As a young person I want to challenge myself by drawing from the inspiration of the young disabled people I have met through several sailing charities,' he told the Chichester Observer, 'Despite the challenges in their daily lives they strive to set themselves new goals.'

During his preparations Tom was even lucky enough to have been mentored by Major Phil Packer, the founder of the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT).

'I have been on and around boats all of my life,' said Tom. 'I got used to sailing around the Solent on the catamaran my parents had as I grew up. These experiences inspired me to try my hand at dinghy sailing.

'My first dingy was a bright yellow wooden Mirror dinghy - a piece of history as it had previously been owned by Sir Peter Blake.

'I then moved to toppers where I took part in club racing. Most recently I started racing frequently on a 420.'

One of the charities which Tom will be raising money for is the Even Keel Project which encourages able-bodied and disabled people to sail together regardless of age, gender or background. It provides high-performance keel boats and also allows paraplegic sailors to sail by themselves using tubes which you blow into or suck to control different parts of the boat.

Tom has been involved with the charity, taking part in some demonstrations as well as racing events including the Artemis Even Keel Challenge in Cowes Week last year and has seen people transformed by its work.

He will also be raising money for Sailability which is part of the Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) work to enable people with all types of disabilities to enjoy sailing.

See www.tomwebbsailing.com for more information and to make a donation to the challenge