smooth sailing

By Raelee Tuckerman - Photography by AJ Taylor

It took Alan Hoare seven decades and a life-changing illness to discover his love of sailing.

Before he suffered a staph infection 10 years ago that left him in a wheelchair with spinal injuries, Alan was involved in equestrian sports and swing dancing. While he now has some limited mobility, those treasured activities are no longer viable for the man who lives by the motto “use it or lose it”.

Enter Sailability Bendigo, a program overseen by regional sports assembly Sports Focus, in partnership with the Bendigo Yacht Club and Cairn Curran Sailing Club.

“Sports Focus aims to get people with mobility difficulties and other disabilities out doing activities, which adds a lot of quality to our lives,” says Alan, 72. “I’m in a spinal injury group called Spire. We were invited to come and try Sailability two years ago and I really enjoyed it.”

Participants accompany trained volunteers from the local sailing clubs in small, stable boats on the safe, calm water of Lake Weeroona. Some become proficient enough to go it alone.

Alan says: “It was the first time I’d experienced the intricacies of yachting – sensing the breeze, learning the little tell-tales on the sail, watching how it behaves so you know which way the wind is blowing and can align and tension the sail. Usually there’s an experienced sailor in the boat with you, but eventually I got to the stage where I could sail it on my own.

“Mind you, I’ve been bogged and caught up on the lane ropes many times so my skill level is not necessarily great, but I get out there and have a fantastic time.”

So much so that Alan joined the Bendigo Yacht Club as a member and now also volunteers on Sailability days, sharing his new-found knowledge with other participants.

“It’s very rewarding, because they are the greatest bunch of characters you could ever meet and we have some hilarious conversations out in the boat – I’ve had nothing but fun with everyone.”

Sailability is a worldwide program offered in about 20 countries, with more than 70 branches across Australia. It’s been running in Bendigo for 20 years.

Local project co-ordinator Jasmine Noske, from Sports Focus, says the program caters for everyone.

“We offer two different experiences – people can use it as an opportunity to learn how to sail, or they can sit back and enjoy getting out on the water.

“It’s so flexible we can make it work for anyone, regardless of ability. A lot of people find it very relaxing; some hang their arm over the side and play with the water or even fall asleep in the boat.

“We have participants with intellectual disabilities, others in wheelchairs and for them it can be one of the few times they are out of their chairs. We have a hoist to lift them out and safely assist them into a boat. We also have a chin pad, giving capability for people to steer the boat with their chin.”

Other special equipment includes a portable non-slip pontoon with guide rails and fittings for the mobility hoist, and the four 2.3m accessible dinghies, weighted for safety so they can’t capsize (one single-sailor vessel and three co-sailor boats that hold both participant and volunteer).

“It’s basically a bathtub with a sail on it,” laughs Alan. “They’re simple to operate – one rope you pull to tension the sail and one lever to turn left or right.

“There’s a rubber ducky support boat that can help you out and tow you back if you get into trouble, and the freedom of being out on your own is terrific. For a little boat, it can scoot along.”

Each Sailability Bendigo session attracts up to 20 participants, some from local disability service groups – Scope, Lifely, Distinctive Options, Kazz & Co, Everyday Independence – and others who attend independently. Their experience is tailored to meet individual needs.

“It’s an opportunity to get out and try an activity they may not have tried before, an experience they might otherwise not have –everyone has a lot of fun, especially when the weather is nice.”

At least 13 volunteers are needed to assist on the day and, while the two sailing clubs provide most of the expertise, Jasmine says no sailing experience is needed and extra helpers are always welcome. “We have lots of on-shore roles as well and we are always in need of more hands on deck.”

For more details about Sailability sessions, phone Sports Focus on 5442 3101.

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