The Disabled Sailing Association

Affordable Sailing for the Disabled

2011 Summer Newsletter for members, friends, families and supporters

Charity: 111330 Company: 559733 Patron: Jemma Woodman,

Editor’s bit

Despite what is turning out to be a rather miserable summer, our boats are super busy, out on the water providing our members with hours of happy sailing. A big thank you to to Justin for his excellent Eddystone log, and to all the members who took the time to send us their comments. Far too many to print all of them in this edition, I’m afraid — but Shirley assures me that she’s keeping all of them on file for possible future use. Once again, a big thank you to all our skippers and crew for enabling  yet another successful year for the DSA.

Maggi

Chairman’s Chat

What a great time we are all having. The weather might not be quite as good as we would like, but more and more people are now sailing. Once again, a big thanks to the skippers, crew and maintenance team. We are hoping soon to operate set office hours between 9am to 8pm weekdays, and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays. Our administrator, Heather, already does a great job for us on a Monday morning, but to help the sailing to continue working so well, Shirley and I could really use some extra help in the office If you know of anyone who would be willing to give us a helping hand, it would be

much appreciated, and would assist in our plans to reduce the office and phone hours. A big thanks to everyone — the DSA is really moving forward. See you on the water, soon …

Dave

The 2011 Eddystone Charity Pursuit

On Friday, 15 July, seven of our more stalwart members set sail in Freedom for

Plymouth and the Eddystone Charity Pursuit.

This year’s crew were Tom Glomb (skipper), Rick Allbrook, Andy Baker, Gordon Guest, Justin Hayden, Davinia Hollingworth and Tim Newton. The event boosted DSA coffers by approximately £1,400 — not a bad outcome for 3 days of fun!! Here’s Justin to tell you all about it.

PERSONAL LOG by JUSTIN HAYDEN

 It’s the morning after I arrived home and I still haven’t got my land legs back yet – I’d feel better if the house would stay still! I thought I’d write up a few brief notes of my experience in case anyone wanted to read them. Day 1: Torquay to Plymouth

We left Torquay harbour at 9.45am on Friday 15 July. There were 7 of us on board the yacht Freedom, a 35’ Hanse 350 owned by the Disabled Sailing Association: several of us with a range of disabilities but also some able-bodied sailors, skippered by Tom - a very experienced yachtsman. We took turns at the helm sailing down to Plymouth. There was very little rope work to be done compared with the constant alterations when sailing

a dinghy, so it felt much easier. We soon met unexpected swell along the South Hams coast causing the yacht to pitch heavily for a while. A couple of the crew felt ill, but thankfully we had taken sea sickness pills. The tide was against us so it took longer than expected to reach Plymouth (11¼ hours) – just in time to order food before the marina’s restaurant closed. Tired from the sail and late to bed, so slept better than expected. Unsure about the forecast for sail home.

Day 2: The Pursuit

My cabin mate and I woke at the predetermined time to find the boat

deserted – the Marie Celeste has happened again! The rest of the crew had actually risen earlier but kindly let us take our time coming around. After breakfast, more sea sickness pills and a shower, we set off for the start line. We were over the line at 9.25am in a staggered start. 85 yachts were meant to have taken part but quite a few didn’t attempt it - perhaps it was the forecast! 15 yachts withdrew after starting – hearing them drop like ninepins over the radio was a little disconcerting! We soldiered on (sailored on?) in quite adverse conditions, not managing more than 6 knots (OK, it’s a cruising yacht, not a racer!). Taking turns at the helm again, it took us 4¼ hours to reach the Hand Deeps Buoy (pictured) further west of the Eddystone lighthouse, but only a couple of  hours to sail home in glorious sunshine with the wind behind us. Bliss!

An hour to recover before setting off again, this time on the water taxi to the Royal Western Yacht Club for a celebratory meal and to hear the results. We were positioned 46th (35th after the rather complicated system of handicap and points for sponsorship had been applied). 51 yachts made it across the finish line. We weren’t disheartened – it’s a fun event to raise money (nearly £50,000 this year) for local good causes. Early to bed. Even more unsure about the forecast for the sail home – would we sail early to catch the tide or lie in to take the train?

Day 3: Plymouth to Torquay

Woken at 6am by noises on board, so no lie in! 6.30am set sail for home knowing it would be rough. I’ve ridden every ride at Alton Towers (tightly holding my daughter’s hand, I should add) – what could a Strong Breeze do to us! We realised after a couple of hours that we’d not seen another yacht out there. One appeared an hour later in the opposite direction. Then the Coastguard issued a gale force warning before we experienced gusts up to Force 8. I was unable to use the camera during these times due to spray coming over the boat, the rain and the need to hang on to something made of steel! (My kids would have loved it.) In spite of this, with the wind behind us, we made good time and arrived home at 2pm (7½ hour sail), reaching speeds of over 10 knots at times. Wife and dog waving to me from the harbour entrance (yes, both waving). Nice to be safely home after 137 nautical miles. Missed the family and pets. Damp through, hungry, exhausted, but with a huge sense of achievement. Most importantly, I felt highly honoured to have had this opportunity to help raise some cash for a good cause, thanks to the DSA and my generous sponsors. 17 August 2011

WHAT OUR MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY

“My son and I spent a very special day sailing with my 82 year old dad, Peter. My Dad has dementia, and when the fabulous Heather, occupational therapist at his nursing home organised a sail for him, I was delighted that we were able to go too. My Dad taught me to sail when I was a child… “To be able to sail with my Dad again was omething I did not expect and the DSA made it happen. The care and sensitivity with which the skpper and crew treated my Dad was lovely, and the professional way they ran the day was unquestionable. We had a lot of fun and my Dad hasn’t stopped talking about it since… Thank you.”

Kate Trant

“We sailed to Brixham from Berry Head with Kathleen, and a lovely little 3 year old fellow, James. I was steering the boat back to Torquay harbour… I really enjoyed the boat trip and feel very lucky to have been given the chance.”

Peter Trant

“The social meeting with Dart Sailability at Brixham Yacht Club on 18 June 2011 offered an update on new opportunities available to all sailing abilities. It showed how networking with similar organisations can really be beneficial. The Disabled Sailing Association representatives were made to feel really welcome.

Heather Mosley (DSA Administrator)

“Hi Shirley and David. Thank you so much for taking Carl and myself out on Freedom today. We had a great time, it was an entirely new experience for us both and most enjoyable. I hope David and the crew have got over the fright of me steering the boat. Oops!! I couldn’t steer it in a straight line, but I had lots of fun trying. Carl enjoyed it and is looking forward to sailing again. Regards”

Jan and Carl

“I would like to thank you again for such a brilliant sail yesterday. It was perfect for a first time and I will certainly be joining up. Please thank all concerned on my behalf. I hope to see you all again soon.

Gerry (after his first sail with DSA)

And finally, we received this colourful email from Anthony

“my sailing down the dart was a magical experience on Freedom”

OTHER BOATING BITS AND PIECES

Moonshine is now moored in Brixham Inner Harbour, and should be working from there by the end of next week. She is having her A frame removed and some modifications to her interior—no sanitary additions, I'm afraid! The Harbour Master has granted use of the visitor’s pontoon for pick up and return of DSA folk and to use it as necessary for an overnight berth when the tide does not permit

access to our berth. She is berthed in line with the King William statue. There are no pictures yet, but she looks good after her Galmpton refit.

As one of our members needs overnight oxygen, Freedom now proudly sports an on-board generator, kindly donated by Sainsburys.

After many months of waiting, the hoist on the pontoon has finally been modified,  and we now have the recommended sling and bar that render it safe. Nick Underwood was the first to christen it a few weeks ago. Sadly no pics available!

EVENTS DIARY

3 Sept: Torquay sea front street collection

If anyone has a few hours to spare to come and ‘rattle a tin’ (yes, I know actually rattling them is illegal now!) please let Shirley know.. Email: shirleymusgrove@blueyonder.co.uk

23 Nov: CHARITY AUCTION SUPPER in aid of The South West MS

Centre (Exeter), and  The Disabled Sailing Association (Torquay)

To be held at Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish at 7.0 pm

Many fantastic lots/prizes including:

·Weekend sailing in a Fabulous Yacht;

·2 Nights in a luxury B&B;

·Man U shirt, signed by Rio Ferdinand; and

·A spectacular raffle.

Live music from award winning jazz pianist Craig Milverton.

£10 per ticket

to include a delicious supper:

Contact the MS Centre on 01392 447411

Geoff Holt (famous quadriplegic sailor) will be giving a fascinating and inspiring talk about his sailing experiences and life.

Sponsored by SAINSBURYS, Dawlish