Will’s journey with Sailability

Will has always been connected to the outdoors, born and raised in Grasmere in the Lake District, he grew up surrounded by mountains, lakes and open space. An active lifestyle came naturally, shaped by the environment around him. From an early age, he was drawn to adventure, spending time on the water and taking part in outdoor activities whenever he could. 

Will’s first sailing experiences were on Windermere with the Scouts at Tower Wood, where time on the water often meant as much swimming as sailing. Later, he worked a summer season in the south of France with PGL, where water sports played a central role. Being outdoors, active and engaged was simply a way of life. 

Everything changed in 2012.  While taking part in a charity triathlon, an accident left Will with a serious spinal injury. The result was life-altering: paralysis from the shoulders down, with limited mobility and a very different way of living. Activities that had once felt effortless and familiar suddenly became far more complex. 

For a time, life looked very different.  But sailing was never far from his mind. 

Around a year after his injury, Will made the decision to return to the water. It wasn’t an easy step, it took encouragement and determination to try again after such a significant change. There were uncertainties about what would be possible and what it would feel like. That first return made all the difference. 

Being back on the water brought with it a sense of freedom that had been missing. Away from the chair and away from the routines of daily life, sailing offered something exhilarating, a chance to reconnect with movement, independence and the outdoors. It felt like rediscovering a part of himself. 

Today, Will sails an RS Venture using a sip-and-puff control system, a setup that allows him to steer and control the boat through breath. It’s a powerful example of how sailing can be adapted, enabling people to take full control on the water. 

For Will, that independence is everything. Sailing brings together the elements he values most: fun, freedom and friendship. It creates an environment where ability is redefined, and where the focus is on what can be done rather than what cannot. 

Step by step, it helped rebuild confidence. It also became a platform for wider opportunities. Will now works as a local councillor for Windermere and Ambleside, and his connection to sailing has extended into this role. Through his involvement, he has gone on to chair the Windermere Lake Administration Committee, linking his passion for the water with his work in the community.  The impact reaches far beyond the boat. 

One of Will’s most memorable personal challenges was an attempt to sail the full length of Windermere. Although he came close, he was forced to stop just a mile or two short due to incoming gale-force winds. Even so, the attempt reflects the same spirit that defines his journey, pushing boundaries, embracing challenge and giving things a go. 

That mindset is at the heart of his story. 

Returning to sailing showed Will that adventure hadn’t ended, it had simply changed. With the right support, equipment and determination, it was still possible to experience the same sense of excitement and achievement. 

And more than that, it opened new doors. 

Today, sailing represents far more than an activity. It is a source of independence, confidence and connection, as well as a reminder of what is possible after life-changing circumstances. 

Will’s journey highlights the value of taking that first step, even when it feels uncertain. 

Because sometimes, giving something a go doesn’t just bring you back to where you were — it takes you somewhere new, with fresh purpose, perspective and possibility.