Sailing in the centre of London Tideway Sailability

Tideway Sailability sails on Greenland Docks alongside Surrey Docks Watersports Centre in Southwark. First impressions are of a friendly well run sailing club but as you find out more about Tideway it becomes apparent that it is run by passionate, dedicated, practical people who are utterly determined that no disability should present any boundaries to the enjoyment of sailing.

Clare Gray, founding member and Club Commodore for the last 8 years adds -

The important thing about Tideway is to understand the 100% integration of able bodied and disabled sailors there is absolutely no us and them . There is a tremendous sense of community and friendship bound together by a common love of sailing.

Tideway was set up in 1981 by a group of four disabled sailors looking for accessible and affordable sailing with the support of the Seamanship Foundation, RYA Sailability s predecessor. Originally based at Greenwich, the club jumped at the opportunity to relocate in 1990 as strong river tides and awkward access made sailing very difficult. The present sailing area is in a non-tidal, sheltered basin adjacent to the locked South Dock that connects to the River. Tideway rents two lockups and a boat compound in which they have recently installed a Portacabin clubhouse, funded by an Awards for All grant. Sailors have access to onshore facilities such as showers and changing rooms in the Centre. There is a varied collection of boats, a large easily accessible slipway and wide pontoons suitable for wheelchairs and a hoist.

Today there are 150 members ranging from experienced to novice sailors who enjoy sailing regularly throughout the year using a fleet of 6 two-person Access 303 s, one single-handed, and 3 Access 2.3 s with single sails. An additional Access Liberty, with electronic controls, is particularly suited to severely disabled sailors. A Hawk 20, a Gos 16 and three safety boats complete the portfolio.

Members are always keen to recruit new sailors and helpers. Training is readily available from the 6 instructors at the club for the RYA Level 1 and 2 courses, for both sail and powerboats. Free training for carers is also on offer, which ranges from fitting buoyancy aids to helping disabled sailors on and off boats, using winches and operating the hoist. Several non-sailing members help out with land based tasks and activities offering encouragement and an essential helping hand for many.

Local authorities provide financial support and charitable trusts and grants are often available for specific projects but there is always a need for funding.

Mary Brown, Vice Commodore adds -

Finding revenue is a constant worry we only need 9,000 per year to run Tideway but we often struggle to find it. We receive generous donations in the form of equipment but accessible money to pay for basic things like rent and insurance is scarce.

Despite ongoing financial challenges, Tideway Sailability continues to thrive. A major project, 2sail 2012, is in place for this summer. The aim is to find 20 young Londoners, ten visually impaired and ten sighted, who have not sailed before. The group will learn to sail together working towards instructor level standard, and ultimately aim to participate in top-level competitions including the World Blind Sailing Championships in 2009 and the Paralympics in 2012.

So now lets hear from one of the members

Melvyn Kinnear, 48, had a serious accident, aged 17, which left him severely paralysed. He has some movement in his hands and can move his head. He worked in the voluntary sector focusing on welfare rights and in 1980 set up a disability advice centre. Recent retirement from full time work meant Melvyn could get more involved in sports, which he was keen to do. His first experience was a great skiing trip to Switzerland where he first learnt about RYA Sailability. This led to a one week RYA Level 1 and 2 course with the Calvert Trust in the Lake District, where he tried out Challengers, a Drascombe Lugger and a Windrider, which remains Melvyn s favourite boat to date.

I wanted to get into something physical - a sport I could really enjoy Melvyn comments, As a disabled person I d always assumed I wouldn t be able to sail I never thought it could happen.

On returning to his Islington home, enthused by the Lake District experience, Melvyn decided to pursue sailing. Further research on the Internet brought up Tideway in South East London so Melvyn went along to find out more.

I get a real sense of freedom, movement and excitement on the water and added to that its great to learn new skills. Melvyn comments with enthusiasm.

His introduction to sailing at Tideway was in an Access 303 with different volunteers as crew. Melvyn enjoyed helming but when the wind became stronger the seat in the Access was both uncomfortable and lacked support. One day he hopes to design a seat that will overcome those problems and be versatile enough to use in a variety of boats. The larger Access Liberty has proved a success with its electronic winches controlling the sheets and a joystick for steering. They are, however, difficult to de-power quickly and while a strong weather helm prevents the boat from capsizing, Melvyn is reluctant to sail close hauled in a strong breeze.

Although he is still learning, Melvyn wants to improve so he can start racing in the UK and ultimately on the international circuit.

I just want to get as good as I can. I wouldn t have been able to start without RYA Sailability and Tideway. Not only has sailing become affordable and achievable but there is a real sense of sharing and friendship at the club.