Sailability Conference a huge success 

Packed agenda for conference delegates

Over 100 delegates from Sailability groups from across the country; as far afield as Scotland to Cornwall, attended the annual RYA Sailability Conference at Wyboston Lake over the weekend (20-21 February) where they enjoyed a packed agenda of keynote speakers, interactive workshops and training.  

Kick starting the day was RYA CEO Rod Carr who, at his last conference before his retirement at the end of February, told delegates how Sailability groups could be proud of their achievements.

“The penny is dropping in the right circles that sailing is good for people with a wide range of disabilities. Disabled people realise they can do it and benefit from it. A lot of the success of sailing for disabled is down to the enthusiasm and commitment of volunteers who run groups. Without them it doesn’t work.”  

Rod was followed by a host of speakers talking on a range of issues including; Matt Grier, RYA Disability Racing Development Coach speaking about the Beginner to Winner programme and the plans for 2010; an update on activities being undertaken by the Sailability Trust by Sailability Trustee John Crosbie and how to open up Sailability groups with opportunities for blind and visually impaired sailors, run by Lucy Hodges a visually impaired sailor herself.  

 After lunch it was back down to business as delegates took part in four interactive workshops – Finding the Funds, Competitive Sailing, How to maximise publicity for your club or group and Child Protection and Vetting and Barring System. 

All the sessions provided delegates with the opportunity to learn new skills, get the latest information and try things out for the themselves.  

But it wasn’t all simply about being given information, the conference also provided delegates with the opportunity to ask questions of the Sailability team and key stakeholders in a ‘Questions to the panel’ session to round up the day, followed by a meet and greet with the RYA Sailability regional organisers.  

Victoria Millar from Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre said: “This is our first time at the conference and we wanted to see what it was all about and get more information about Sailability and it hasn’t failed to deliver.  

“It’s been a great networking opportunity, meeting other people running Sailability groups and sharing best practise.  The day has been fantastic and we definitely got lots out it, especially the workshops which were really hands on.”  

Later in the evening it was time for the RYA Sailability Awards to be presented which recognise the priceless voluntary contribution given by volunteers – the MBE’s of Sailability!  

Award winners were:

• The Significant Contribution award went to Margaret Canavan from Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre
• The Outstanding Contribution award was presented to  Bruce Symes from Dart Sailability
• The Exceptional Contribution award went to 82 year old David Campbell from Grafham Water Sailability  

To close proceedings for the evening it was over to a sailing legend, Geoff Holt who treated everyone to the first airing of his new presentation ‘Atlantic Challenge 2009/10’.  

It was an emotional, heartfelt and inspiring talk in which he shared details of the challenges he faced, what he achieved and exactly how he did it.  

Debbie Blachford, RYA Sailability manager said: “This has been our most successful conference to date with over 100 attendees.  We run the conference to give all the people involved in the programme and who run Sailability clubs and groups around the country the opportunity to get together and get all the latest news and information from a variety of stakeholders all under the one roof but also the opportunity to network and share best practice with like minded people.”  

For more information about RYA Sailability visit the RYA website www.rya.org.uk click on the Sailability link at the bottom of the home page.