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Frensham Pond Sailability offers people, who because of a long term illness or disability, require support to sail. There is a range of sailing available from therapeutic to competitive sailing all within a safe, caring and social environment. The site is easily accessible and all equipment and facilities needed for sailing are provided.
Latest photos
A hydraulic hoist - it can rotated from the wheelchair on the jetty, over to the dinghy alongside
Volunteers working at Sailability clubs soon realise the importance of knee pads, as they spend so long kneeling on the jetty, leaning over dinghies moored alongside!
Hoist process step 1 - the sailor has arrived already sitting on the sling (see black fabric hanging over back of wheelchair) and the spreader bar can be attached
A 'soft sling' for hoisting sailors into boats (more comfortable and more supportive than smaller slings, but a faff to get it under your body whilst already sitting in the wheelchair)
Hoist process step 6 - the hoist is detached, and the sling (black fabric on right of photo) can be left under the sailor
Hoist process step 4 - watch where the feet are going, as well as the torso, so the feet can be guided into place without tangling
A winch-operated hoist on a jetty, for lifting wheelchair users into a dinghy
A hydraulic hoist on a jetty, for lifting wheelchair users into a dinghy
Hoist process step 5 - just before touchdown, hold any cushions in place, as supporting a person well makes a massive difference to their ability to enjoy the sail (cushions can be wedge-shaped or very flat)
Hoist process step 3 - the wheelchair can be backed away, and the hoist rotates to move the sailor over the boat moored alongside