Although the biennial Sovereigns Cup might be the big focus at Kinsale Yacht Club this week, another aspect of the club was boosted over the weekend - its commitment to inclusiveness in sailing.
The West Cork club welcomed Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality and Disability, Anne Rabbitte, to launch its new Sailability fleet of access dinghies and a new Whaly Safety boat on Saturday.
Sailability Ireland is a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation to promote wider participation and has provided the resources to purchase specially-adapted boats.
Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality and Disability, Anne Rabbitte, with Kinsale Yacht Club's Sailability promoter Donal Hickey Photo: Bob Bateman
Kinsale has been a big supporter of disabled sailing through the years, as Afloat's Tom MacSweeney previously reported in his podcast with Kinsale's Sailability promoter Donal Hickey.
Kinsale Yacht Club's new Sailability fleet of access dinghies afloat at the Kinsale Harbour slipway with thew new yellow hulled Whaly Safety boat in the background Photo: Bob Bateman
"People of different abilities can sail a boat. Sailability makes sailing available for people with disabilities. It gives equality and opportunity through the attraction of the sport and the sea," says Donal Hickey, who organises the Sailability programme at Kinsale and is a strong exponent of what the sport can provide for disabled people.
Kinsale Yacht Club Commodore Matthias Hellstern speaking at the Sailability launch Photo: Bob Bateman
Listen to Tom MacSsweeney's 2019 podcast here and see photos from Saturday's Sailability launch at KYC by Bob Bateman below
