During the past few months, we have been unable to hold our regular Sailability sessions with students, but we have been busy upskilling our current and new volunteers.
With a large group of new volunteers attending the mandatory Disability Awareness Training in October, we have been trying to keep everyone’s interest, offering assessments on skill levels, and allowing our current qualified Assistant Instructors the opportunity of going back to basics, teaching basic sailing skills to novice volunteers. This has been highly successful, and I thank those long term and experienced volunteers who have assisted me in coordinating these sessions. They have been very entertaining to say the least!!
Each week we were able to get out on the water in RIB’s and RS Ventures, practicing capsize drills, man overboard and other important safety procedures. This combined with chasing rubber ducks kept interest during some days with very little, to no wind.
Unfortunately, due to the new Government guidelines and the increase in COVID positive cases in general we have had to suspend all volunteer training for the time being. This is not ideal, and it is quite frustrating, but we must err on the side of caution.
We have also said goodbye to long term volunteers Kieran and Stephanie Dempsey who left in January to return to Brecon in Wales. Steph has been on the Committee for 5 years and Kieran was a regular volunteer as well. Their commitment has been invaluable, and they will be sorely missed. We wish them all the absolute best settling back in at home.
At this stage it seems very unlikely we will have students back on the water this season. To this end we are planning to begin again in October/November.
For all NEW club members who have contacted me and expressed interest in volunteering for Sailability to gain points toward membership, please understand that we are currently unable to offer any volunteer hours.
When, and if the situation changes there will be an update published.
I am looking forward to the day when we can get more of our boats back on the water.
In the meantime please stay safe and take care,
Kathryn Saxton
Lead Coordinator
