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Chris Sharp knows only too well the value of sport for people with disabilities and is now literally going the extra mile to help others in similar situations.
Sharp was paralysed after a motorbike accident in 2012 but went on to compete at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. He's now coaching physically disabled young people and adults in Northland to sail, through the Sailability Northland Trust.
“Sailing in specialised yachts allows people with disabilities to give the sport a go despite their restrictions," he said.
“After my accident, I withdrew from society but found coming back to sport to be the best thing that happened to me. It’s great seeing the benefits to participants' physical and mental wellbeing and the sense of accomplishment they get from giving sailing a go.”
Sharp, who lives in Auckland, drives to Waitangi every weekend because he knows what these lessons mean to the regular participants.
The participants are all ages, including a 50-year-old woman in a wheelchair who drives up from Whangarei for her weekly lesson.
“Sailing has become her life and she has responded magnificently to it," Sharp said. "Recently, I took her down to Wellington to compete in the Hansa national championships and we won."
The Trust received $1600 in the latest round of Mazda Foundation funding to purchase boat covers for their two specialised yachts, enabling them to stay well maintained and for the organisation to continue providing the best opportunities for disabled people to get out on the water.
Activities at Sailability cover a broad spectrum, ranging from recreation, therapeutic and competitive activities from grassroots through to elite world championships level. You can find more information about it here.
Sailability use two types of paraplegic yachts - Liberty boats in which people can sail on their own, and 303 Hansa boats which seat two people.
Sailability Northland Trust’s grant is part of more than $83,000 gifted to 30 individuals and organisations across the country.
The Trust is hoping to build up towards holding regular have a go days for newcomers to experience a lesson or just have a turn on a boat, and hiring a paid coach so they can provide more lessons.
The Trust was founded in 2011 in Whangarei and Sharp was elected chairman in 2017 before becoming a coach.
Each year the Mazda Foundation runs three funding rounds to help Kiwis in need with more than $3.8 million being gifted back to the community since its inception in 2005.
The closing date for the next round of Mazda Foundation applications is March 31, 2021. For more information or to download an application form, visit www.mazdafoundation.org.nz.
