Derry's Foyle Sailability inaugural regatta held in Greencastle ‘a huge success’

More than 80 people from Donegal and all across Northern Ireland have taken part in a regatta in Greencastle for people with disabilities.

Foyle Sailability’s inaugural regatta was fittingly held as the Paralympics in Paris concluded, on September 7.

Participants including sailors from Belfast Lough Sailability and Lough Erne Sailability took part in the event which included lunch in the grounds of Greencastle Maritime Museum.

“The event has been a huge success,” said event organiser Ken Curry. “Greencastle community have been exceptionally supportive, and Moville and Culmore Yacht Clubs are here volunteering. We are very grateful for all the support.”

Foyle Sailability’s short-term aim is to enable children and adults with disabilities “to enjoy being on the water in a safe and controlled environment.”

The group has a hoist to lift and lower physically disabled people into their accessible boats such as the Hansa 303, as well as safety boats. Long term, the group hopes to encourage participants to reach higher standards, and be competitive at inter-provincial level and even Paralympic level.

Roseanne McGinley, an employee of the ATU in Letterkenny, said Foyle Sailability gives her “freedom and independence.” A sufferer of spina bifida and scoliosis, she now has Type Two Respiratory Failure, and carries an oxygen tank 24 hours a day. It gives her “the opportunity to do something where you’re all equal, and you can bring your own skills - and the thrill seeking!” It also brings significant benefits to her health, and “a whole new friendship network in Derry.” Unable to continue kayaking due to health reasons, “it gave me back what I lost when I stopped.”

From left to right: Ken Curry, coordinator Sailability NI, Ciaran Doran, Riley Baird and Eoin Doherty

Foyle Sailability is “going from strength to strength,” according to treasurer Catherine  Curran. She explained that the organisation is key in giving disabled people confidence and social skills. 

“Being on a boat reduces the mental strain. The activity and the fresh air  helps mental health and reduces suffering.”  

Catherine said that they need more volunteers and more funding to make sailing  more fully accessible. “Volunteering is not about sailing skills,” stresses Catherine. “No  experience is necessary as training will be provided.” 

“We’ve two disabled access safety boats. One is a Pioner, a large motor boat that has  disabled access at the front. The front flips down and it can go up onto the shore and drop  down to get wheelchair bound sailors on board.”  

The group is based in Prehen in Derry, and it has between 30 to 40 members, of whom about ten disabled people sail once a fortnight. Disabilities include autism, mild learning  disabilities and physical disabilities.  

“My daughter got so much out of it, and I just want to be there for those  children who are in that position, who are maybe lost in life and need a new social circle. If  I can be a friend to somebody else the way people were there for my daughter, that’s all I  want,” Catherine said.

The group welcomes participation from anyone with a disability, whether they have on the water experience or not.  

To find out more about Foyle Sailability, you can go to the Facebook and Twitter pages. To donate, go to www.foylesailability.org. To join, contact Ken on 004477 79008459.