Friends, Amis, Amigos, Amici,

We’re delighted to be returning to one of our favourite events – sailing at the Spinnaker Sailing Club with New Forest Sailability who are waiting to welcome us on Thursday 5th September at 1.30pm.

Spinnaker Sailing Club is situated in Ringwood. The full address is: Blashford Lake, Ivy Lane, Ringwood, BH24 3LY.

They have a variety of boats for you to experience the joy, the fun, the exhilaration of sailing, starting off with the Hansa two seater 303 and even feature a servo assisted, electrically controlled Hansa 2.3. If you have limited mobility or hand strength or function this can be an incredibly empowering and liberating experience.

Sailability say “One of our sailors, Keith Harris, sails using just his tongue and says “On the water, everyone is equal.“

These boats were designed specifically to meet the needs of disabled sailors. With their heavily weighted keels and inbuilt buoyancy, they are very stable. Seated low, and facing forwards, movement within the boat is NOT required. You’ll be able to start sailing these boats immediately, accompanied by an experience sailor cum instructor from the Club. But very soon you can easily sail them on your own.

So complete novices and never-evers are more than welcome! And for more experienced sailors there’s a range of other boats also available.

The wheelchair accessible clubhouse has large picture windows overlooking the lake towards the New Forest. There is ample free parking. The facilities include changing rooms with accessible toilets and showers. There’s a machine for coffee and tea, but no food, so please bring your own lunch if needed.

There is wheelchair access to all parts of the Clubhouse and onto the pontoon. Also a hoist is available (where necessary) for easier access to the boats.

Life Jackets are of course provided, but we suggest that you bring a towel and perhaps a change of clothes – you might get wet!

Don’t worry if you haven’t tried sailing before, there will be plenty of hands-on advice, guidance and instruction.

You don’t need special clothing, anything that is comfortable is OK. Tracksuits and trainers are ideal. But it will always feel cooler on the water, so it’s a good idea to bring an extra layer. As mentioned before a change of clothes is also not a bad idea – just in case…..

To recap on those details:

Thursday 5th September 2024 at Spinnnaker Sailing Club.
1.30 meet and greet; 2pm start; finish around 4pm.

For the address and directions, plus other details please click onto their website: New Forest Sailability

We’d love to see you there, so if you want to join us then please contact Valerie at info@sportability.org.uk

Best Wishes,

The Sportability Team

Please note: Sportability wishes to point out that the events and activities are operated by established Service Providers. For the purpose of clarification, it should be understood that all participants in the sporting events and activities referred to on our website, in our newsletters or in any written or verbal communication, will be deemed to be clients of the Service Provider, and must adhere to that Service Provider’s Terms and Conditions, instructions and operating procedures.