Disability Awareness and Sailability Inclusion Training was delivered recently by Ciaran Murphy of Sailability Ireland. A total of 35 people took part in this one-day course in Greencastle at the newly installed Donegal County Council and Loughs Agency Interreg funded pontoons. Foyle Sailability volunteers were instructed on use of the hoist and lifting and moving disabled sailors.

Anyone is welcome to become a volunteer. Sailing experience is a help but not a necessary requirement as there is lots to do, both on the water and off the water. The Foyle Sailability 2015 events programme includes our ‘Give it a Try and Get on the Water’ events on June 11-12 at the Foyle Marina and June 26 and August 7 in Greencastle. Each of these events is open to people with disabilities.

The June 26 event in Greencastle will also mark the beginning of the ‘Round Ireland for Sailability’, when a number of our volunteers will sail their boats to visit each of the Sailability centres around the coast of Ireland. This will be made possible with support from MalinWaters, which is funded this by the EU INTERREG IVA cross border programme under the Sail West project.

Foyle Sailability Chair, Cathal MacElhatton, said, “These events will add to the activities we have delivered in the past and we are also delighted to add Culmore and Lough Swilly to our venue of events this season. Indeed, this is our most ambitious programme yet and we believe it will go from strength to strength”.

“I would encourage people with disabilities interested in trying sailing and water based activities and those that work in this field to contact us for further information through our facebook page: Foyle Sailability or email: foylesailability@gmail.com

For Volunteer Training please contact us at email foylesailability@gmail.com