#disabledsailing – A new initiative from sailing instructors at Oysterhaven Activity Centre in Cork aims to provide sailing opportunities for young people with disabilities on board the 70–foot schooner Spirit of Oysterhaven.
Spokesman Shane Dwyer described how last month the club members crewed the "Spirit" to the Cobh Traditional Sailing Regatta in Cork Harbour providing crewing opportunities for six young people who were restricted as a result of either sight impairment, cerebral palsy or height restriction.
The Spirit of Oysterhaven Trust is a youth initiative led and managed by young people from Oysterhaven Activity Centre, facilitated through the Léargas programme of funding for youth led initiatives.
The mission of the Trust is to provide an opportunity for those with an intellectual or physical disability the chance to experience sailing.
Dwyer explained, "The objective of the project is for us as crewmembers to develop our sailing and interpersonal skills while meeting the needs of the disabled sailors in our crew.
This is a challenge for both the able bodied members of our crew as well as the disabled members as we all learn to adjust to life aboard Spirit. "
The next event in the calendar is Glandore Classic Regatta where the crew of the Trust plans to participate in the Parade of Sail on Sunday 21st July after sailing down from Oysterhaven on the Friday evening.
You can follow progress on Twitter page @OysterhavenCrew and contact them by email [email protected]
