SAILORS' COMFORT STOP
The Paralympics New Zealand National Championships were held in Wellington in early November. Several sports are involved, but this is the first year sailing has been included. Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club (EBYMBC) is coordinating the sailing regatta. EBYMBC has been a long-time supporter of sailors with disabilities. For the past five years it has been home to Sailability Wellington (a charitable trust established by some of the club’s members), which runs a programme throughout summer giving people with disabilities an opportunity to take to the water and enjoy sailing. It was the first club in New Zealand to establish such an affiliation.
Sailability Wellington currently involves around 20 club members who have a range of disabilities, and plenty more volunteers and support crew. Being home to Sailability Wellington, means EBYMBC can offer sailing opportunities for everyone – in fact four Sailability members are regularly seen competing during club racing on Saturdays. To support this event and ensure the Sailability Wellington club members feel even more included and comfortable, the club organised for a new accessible toilet facility to be built in time for the start of the regatta. The toilets have wheelchair access, safety bars and non-slip flooring. EBYMBC Commodore, Nikki Johnson, says the project is part of ongoing development to improve accessibility and enable full participation by everyone in the club’s life. "This project would not have been possible without a $10,000 contribution by NZCT," says Ms Johnson. "Several club members also made a significant donation in terms of their labour and additional materials to ensure the construction could be completed on schedule. "The club worked really hard to ensure it could provide the proper facilities and we’ve benefited, not only from the major renovations, but from an increase in club spirit and pride," she says. "We are very grateful to NZCT for supporting this worthwhile project." Sailability Wellington runs a fantastic programme, which offers a range of opportunities to all people with disabilities: from the chance to get out on a yacht and experience the thrill of sailing for fun – to the challenge and adrenalin of competition racing. Don Manning, Sailability Wellington Chairman, says the feedback the programme receives is overwhelmingly positive. "It allows people to chase their goals and participants report an increased sense of well-being after spending time on the water with others, enjoying the outdoors and the thrill of effortless movement," says Mr Manning. "We are very grateful to EBYMBC and NZCT for the support of our programme." Paul Elenio, NZCT Wellington Regional Advisory Committee Chairperson, says the trust is proud to be involved in such a wonderful community project. "NZCT is the biggest supporter of amateur sport in New Zealand," says Paul. "We understand the importance sport has on individuals and society, and we are pleased to help clubs who are making sport accessible to all members of their community. "We wish all the ‘Sailability’ sailors the best of luck and fun on the water this summer," he says. "We hope the new toilet facilities will encourage more people to participate and get into sailing. I’d like to thank the NZCT publicans in Wellington who helped raise this money – without them we couldn’t support such worthy causes."
