Accessible sailing program grows

Every Thursday morning from February until July for the past four years, the Princess Royal Sailing Club has been a hive of activity as sailors take to the water under a worldwide program for people with disabilities or disadvantage.

Sailability Albany started supported sailing lessons in 2011 after a floating pontoon for accessible boarding was installed and a hoist to transfer wheelchair users in and out of vessels acquired.

The program has grown to involve more than 40 club members volunteering their time as skippers, crew and on-shore support to give 29 participants the chance to skim across Princess Royal Harbour.

Albany man Colin May, who uses a wheelchair, had no sailing experience before he joined the program but has been hooked ever since. "I had never been sailing before so I came out and tried it four years ago," he said.

"I enjoyed it - on my first trip out, I saw a dolphin which is supposed to be good luck."

Mr May, who is also a Sailability Albany committee member, said he enjoyed the tranquillity of being out on the water.

"It is nice and peaceful out there," he said.

"There is just the wind and the waves - it is very relaxing."

Sailability Albany project officer Jenni Flottmann said there was a waiting list for the program, which the club hoped to expand by adding three boats to join flagship 26ft yacht, Gypsy Doctor, in the future.

Sailability Albany is on a winter break, but Ms Flottmann said volunteers were welcome to get involved by contacting 0407 758 787.