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RYA Sailability takes to the water in Wales
A watersports Open Day promoting sailing for disabled children and adults was recently held in Cardiff Bay organised and funded by the lottery project Venture Out Cardiff. Over 25 novice sailors, with varying disabilities, took to the water in two brand new Access 303's and a Laser Stratos. The event was promoted by James Dwyer, of RYA Sailability, in partnership with Cardiff Bay harbour authority and the Welsh Assembly. The Open Day was well supported by Cardiff Bay users and helped to launch RYA Sailability in the area. Organisers were blessed with a bright sunny day with light winds providing excellent conditions for the Try a Boat event. As part of the regeneration of Cardiff a barrage has been constructed in the Bay forming a large fresh water lake perfect for sailing. Visitors with a range of disabilities came to try out boating, this included people who were blind or with a visual impairment and wheelchair users. Ben Owen Jones the well known TV actor, himself in a wheelchair, took people out in one of the Access Dinghies. There was lots of enthusiasm all round especially from one visually impaired sailor who capsized but got straight back on board for more fun. James Dwyer, RYA's Sailability South Wales regional organiser and a keen sailor himself comments, 'Thanks to this brilliant Open Day all users of Cardiff bay are now working together to promote sailing for disabled people. This latest funding is fantastic and meant we were able to buy two new Access 303's - we plan to grow the fleet, get more people on the water and teach people to sail the boats themselves.' Ben Smith, Chief Sailing Officer for Cardiff County Council adds, 'It was fantastic to see so many disabled people enjoying sailing and keen to come back for more. The staff really enjoyed themselves too and we will organise some disability awareness training for them. Overall it's looking pretty exciting here in Cardiff.' www.sailability.org
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