How do I become a FULL member?
Any person with a disability and who wish to simply enjoy participating in a sail with other full members and the volunteer crew. There are no age limits but there is a minimum weight limit of 20 Kgs due to lifejacket specifications. Both our boats are adapted to take wheelchairs and our crews have appropriate training.
You will be asked to complete a membership form so that we are fully aware of your personal circumstances. Once accepted, you are then eligible to sail on any mutually convenient date. We regularly send out available sailing dates for you to choose from and we also have an on-line 'Sail Request' calendar you can use. Family and friends can also join as 'Supporters' to accompany our full members if space permits, so all can enjoy the sailing experience.
[Please note all sailing is dependent on the weather and may have to be cancelled at short notice
WHERE does the DSA sail?
Our regular sailing trips take place in and around Torbay. We also arrange longer day-trips to Dartmouth, and occasionally more extended trips, sometimes with overnight stays, to local ports such as the annual fireworks display in Plymouth. We also regularly take part in the Annual Eddystone Challenge Pursuit and have also taken members on trips to the Channel Islands and France.
WHEN does the DSA sail?
The regular sailing season is April to October. and the boats usually sail at 10:30 am and return mid-afternoon or later depending on everyone on board. The winter months are generally used for crew training and development but we also take full members out for winter sailing if conditions permit.
WHERE does the DSA sail?
Our regular sailing trips take place in and around Torbay. We also arrange longer day-trips to Dartmouth, and occasionally more extended trips, sometimes with overnight stays, to local ports such as the annual fireworks display in Plymouth. We also regularly take part in the Annual Eddystone Challenge Pursuit and have also taken members on trips to the Channel Islands and France.
Once everybody is briefed, the crew will take the boat off its berth and set out into the bay. This is a busy time for the skipper and crew but things then settle down quite quickly. Once the vessel is settled down and safely under way the skipper will often invite one of the disabled members to take a turn on the helm.
WHEN does the DSA sail?
The regular sailing season is April to October. and the boats usually sail at 10:30 am and return mid-afternoon or later depending on everyone on board. The winter months are generally used for crew training and development but we also take full members out for winter sailing if conditions permit.
Where might we sail to?
There are various locations the skipper might decide to take you to dependent on the prevailing weather and other traffic activities. You may well sail south out to Berry Head and on down to a quiet little bay called St. Marys. this is a good place to drop anchor and have a relaxed lunch before returning back towards Berry Head always keeping a good eye out for dolphins running nearby.
Do we go further afield?
The River Dart
If the weather and tides are favourable we can sail further afield into Dartmouth and make our way up the river through the busy waterway. This is always an interesting run as there is plenty to see as we travel up through the main harbour, up past the Brittania Naval College and on along the tree-lined banks fo the Dart. We pass Agatha Christie's Boathouse on our right as we open out into the river opposite a the picturesque riverside village of Dittisham, usually picking up a spare buoy for a restful lunch, or sometimes continuing into the basin before returning. This is a longer day but always worth it with fair wind and tide.
Teignmouth
If the wind is favourable by can often make a trip up to and into Teignmouth Harbour. This trip is very tide dependent but is an interesting sail around this small commercial port. If the wind is set fair the run back down to home can be quite exhilarating!