See Sailing Your Way

Spinnaker Sailing Club has been part of a pilot project showing how small changes and targeted conversations can make sailing more accessible — and rewarding — for everyone. 

Launched earlier this year, See Sailing Your Way set out with a clear ambition: to inspire blind and partially-sighted people to give sailing a go, to build confidence among clubs and centres to deliver inclusive experiences and to test the impact of a structured six-to-eight-week programme.

One of the clubs at the heart of the project was Spinnaker Sailing Club, where Operations Manager James Oborne not only led two summer programmes, but also supported other venues across the South region to deliver their own.

Getting started at Spinnaker

Spinnaker first attended the project’s CPD learning day, designed to give instructors and volunteers the skills and reassurance they needed to run accessible sessions. From there, James and his team launched two six-week programmes over the summer of 2025.

To reach participants, James picked up the phone and started conversations with local community organisations, including OpenSight and Dorset Council. This personal approach proved vital in breaking down barriers, building trust and getting people through the door.

Six adults took part in the summer programmes, comprising a mix of complete beginners and those with some sailing experience. Each of them embraced the challenge of learning new skills, enjoying time on the water and being part of a group.

For the new sailors, the experience was even more special — they left with their RYA Level 1 certificates and the confidence to continue their journey if they could find the right place with the right offer.

Towards the end of the summer, the club also hosted a family taster day with Dorset Council’s sensory impairment education team.

Many families arrived unsure whether sailing was right for them, but by the end of the day they left with increased confidence. Children had loved the chance to try something new, while parents valued the safe, social environment to support each other. At least one family has already asked about returning for private tuition.

Challenges along the way

Spinnaker’s experience highlighted the realities of making sailing more inclusive:

Partnerships take time – finding the right ‘gatekeeper’ in each community organisation required persistence, trust and listening carefully to feedback. James observed: “you have to pick up the phone, have in depth conversations, reflect on what your partners are telling you and shape what you offer in response."

Participants need time – Spinnaker Sailing Club is welcoming and inclusive but people nevertheless faced barriers to getting involved. They sought clear information about costs and kit, and reassurance that they would be treated as people who could become sailors and would be supported to learn. Parents needed reassurance that their children would be safe and supported. Transport was a major consideration too, with participants keen to explore car sharing and other solutions.

Building confidence within the club – instructors were keen to get it right, asking questions about language, safety and individual needs. Visual impairments vary, so listening to each sailor and adapting accordingly was essential.

Numbers aren’t everything – community partners stressed that a small group (5–6 people) could still deliver a huge impact.

What makes it work?

The success of Spinnaker’s project boiled down to a few key ingredients:

Co-creation with community partners – shaping sessions in response to local needs.

Conversations and communication – simple, concise, clear communication was key for both the instructors and the participants. The skills learned have developed the instructors to become better communicators, more creative and more adaptable. They enjoyed it – it was not just the same old session, they had to think on their feet.

Individual risk assessments – tailoring safety measures to each person’s needs.

Small but clever adaptations – from space hoppers doubling as bright, contrasting buoys to bungees on the tiller, little changes made teaching easier and more effective.

Funding support – Sport England’s Movement Fund helped make the project possible, showing how this kind of work aligns with wider priorities around health, activity and inclusion.

Exit routes – by linking with other clubs better placed for regular access and public transport, Spinnaker ensured participants had options to continue their sailing journey.

Looking ahead

For James, the project showed just how powerful place-based working and open conversations can be. It also proved that inclusive sailing doesn’t require specialist kit or major reinvention — just creativity, collaboration and the confidence to try.

Most importantly, the sailors and families who took part left with new skills, new memories, and a sense that sailing really is for them.