Accessible Sailing and Learn to Sail

MSC offers sailing opportunities for individuals with special needs, and in turn encourages them to become members. Access boats have been specifically purchased for this aspect of sailing and sail training is also arranged during the summer months. We provide significant voluntary help from members in providing time and equipment for our courses. Sport can play a role in tackling social inclusion. We fully support and encourage the full integration of adults with physical and sensory disabilities (PWD) into mainstream adult sailing classes. Each year one week or two weekends of sail training are offered as part of our ongoing commitment to social inclusion in the sport of sailing.

Who do I contact?
Anne Hawkshaw This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   is our Special Needs Officer. Alternatively Rose McGowan of the Irish Wheelchair Association, will also be able to answer your queries on 071 9155522.     

"A great success" was how Rose McGowan described her week of training with Mullaghmore Sailing Club (MSC).  Rose, and nine of her colleagues, finished their week of training for Special Needs sailors with a barbecue at which all participants received their Irish Sailing Association Certificates. 

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The training programme was a joint initiative organised by Mullaghmore Sailing Club and the Irish Wheelchair Association.  It was the first step in what is hoped will be an on-going programme into the future.  Helen Rochford Brennan, the Development Manager of The Wheelchair Association  office expressed great satisfaction with the success of the training and the enthusiasm with which it was received by each of the participants.   The next challenge facing the Association,  she said, will be to "obtain boats designed for Special Needs sailors".

Colm McGrogan conducted the training programme and, in awarding Certificates to the participants, he said that "he never before worked with a group who demonstrated such  commitment and showed such improvement in their first week of sailing".

Without the new all-weather Pontoon, completed by Sligo County Council at Mullaghmore, access to and from boats would not have been possible for the Special Needs sailors.  This provided a further benefit for this great new facility to the harbour and was welcomed by all the participants.

A number of the Special Needs trainees, who received their Start of Sailing Certificates, now plan to become members of   Mullaghmore Sailing Club and, together with other club members, hope to chart out a new era for Special Needs Sailing in the region.

Access dinghies  - boats designed for special needs sailors

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Around the world, Access Dinghies are introducing whole new communities to sailing. Apart from the development of revolutionary sailing craft and supportive equipment - Access Dinghy Sailing System (ADSS) also fosters the formation and development of the innovative "accessible sailing" network throughout the world.The club have recently purchased two Access dinghies which are appropriately modified sailing boats. They were designed to appeal to that huge majority of the world's population who would love to have a go at sailing, but find it too difficult or uninviting to do so. These have been funded by the Peace ll Programme. 

Sailforce
This site will inform you of the aims and activities of the Irish Disabled Sailing Association (IDSA). Their aim is to encourage more people with disabilities to participate in the wonderful sport of sailing.
 
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