Issue date
In mid April, the NZ Access Class Association’s two 303’s (available with thanks to AMP) moved to their new home – at the lake ‘outpost’ of the Wanganui Sailing Club. With support from the Class Association, Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, Sailability Taranaki Volunteers and YNZ Staff, there is now the potential for one more club to become accessible next season.
This active community sailing club is exploring options and the opportunity of creating an accessible opportunity for sailors in the area, after seeing the success northward at Sailability Taranaki. The Wanganui Sailing Club- usually referred to as Sailing Wanganui- delivers learn to sail training programmes for people of all ages on Pauri Lake and a busy racing schedule on the Wanganui River.
The first “have a go” day was scheduled for Wednesday April 17th, however an adverse weather forecast convinced the organizers that sailing should be cancelled... however the sun came out and one hardy sailor from a local school came down to have his first try at sailing in a new boat that would suit his physical needs well. Success!
These two boats were purchased with funding thanks to AMP with the intention to be used to help a club or new disabled sailing group find their sea legs while undertaking their own fundraising initiatives to purchase their own equipment.
For the past 18 months, these boats have been living at the Waitara Boating Club in Taranaki. There, they have been well used by up to 80 young people with a disability in just one day! Sailability Taranki was established in March 2012, and since working with these two accessible boats, they have grown into a community regular, now owning four of their own boats, and fundraising for two more.
Thanks go to AMP for making this a possibility at one more club in NZ!!
