Tag Archives: partially sighted sailing

Ahoy Shipmates! A Video from visa-gb!

A video about blind and partially sighted sailing from visa-gb!
News, , , , , , ,

Ahoy Shipmates and a very happy new year to you all.

It’s great to have seen off 2020 with a size 12 sailing boot in the stern quarters.  Our faces now turned to windward as we await nursey to arrive in full sail with hypodermic pointed at our quivering buttocks, ah the pain and the pleasure!  But before we drift off into the arms of carry on nursing your attention is required.

Way back in the dim and distant days of yesteryear you’ll recall rumours of daring-do on the high seas as team Visa took on the Hollywood big wigs and shot an adventure fit for the big screen – well my hearties that moment is nearly upon us and the first cut is, as they say, in the can.  As this is the first cut and the audio described version is still at the studio we’ll give you the heads up on the action.  Please read below, to set the scene or you can jump to the video Here:  Quick link to the video 

Setting the Scene

With your freshly brewed cuppa and a newly opened packet of digestives, the king of biscuits as voted in 2020, you should sink into your favourite chair, put your feet on the cat and snuggle down as we set the scene.

Our story begins with the tinkling of halyards, sound of the sea, and the music begins.  Our boat, a 45’ Jeanneau sailing yacht with a large cockpit, two steering wheels and enough bunks to sleep ten,  was kindly loaned by to us by UKSA.  We are moored, starboard side too, at Town Quay marina in Southampton.

Town Quay is located to the East side of pier where you would catch the Red Jet to Cowes and about 100 metres from the Red Funnel port.  Once you leave Town Quay you are in Southampton water, which on the two days of filming was unremittingly grey with only the occasion squall to keep us honest.

As you leave the Quay you would expect to pass the huge cruise liners that start their world journeys in normal times.  Anyway back to the music and this heralds the arrival of Anil and Nathalie, Anil is self-guiding himself along the pontoon and Nathalie has the arm of Jane, one of our splendid volunteers.  As they reach the boat canes are folded and they climb aboard to join up with their crewmates Karen, Lorraine, Lofty and Vijay along with volunteers Jane, Bruce and Tim.

Once onboard the trip begins and the visually impaired crew make the boat ready for departure,  engine started, lines off and we are away out into Southampton water.  During the journey the crew hoist the sails, steer the boat, tack the boat, make a brew and do everything needed to go sailing.

With a first time sailor onboard and a busy stretch of water there are two reefs in the main and the headsail is also reefed, wind speed ranges from 8 to 18 knots.

The sea state is smooth as the wind is a north-westerly blowing offshore The voices you hear are from some of those taking part, the first is skipper Tim, then you’ll hear from Lofty, Lorraine, Nathalie, Bruce and Vijay.

We hope you enjoy this film below

We hope their words remind you of the fun of sailing and encourage you to join a trip with us in 2021 

Sailing Schedule for Visa-GB 2021

Website: https://visa-gb.org.uk/

 

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VI Sailors’ Week – Blind Week 12- 19 June 2021

VI Sailors’ Week - Blind Week 12- 19 June 2021
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VI Sailors’ Week – Blind Week!

12-19 June 2021 – Lymington

Register your interest by emailing mail@blindweeksailing.co.uk

Happy New Year and we hope that you and your families are all safe and well under the challenging circumstances we are all currently enduring!

We were very disappointed to cancel Blind Week 2020 in Falmouth and have been hoping that the New Year 2021 will allow the event to return, even if constrained by health restrictions.  In preparation for this, we have developed a preliminary Covid-19 strategy taking note of Government and RYA guidance.

Whilst the prospect of a vaccine gives cause for longer-term optimism, the extra measures that became necessary over Christmas remind us how serious the situation still is.

Although current indications are that social distancing measures and the tiered restrictions will be in place for some time during the rollout of the vaccination programme, we are nevertheless hopeful that these measures can be eased sufficiently by the summer to allow Blind Week to go ahead, albeit not necessarily in precisely its usual format.

We are therefore having to organise things a little differently this year and at this stage, we have decided not to invite detailed VI applications yet.  Instead, we are now inviting you to simply ‘register your interest’ in taking part in Blind Week 2021.  We will also be asking the Skippers to do the same.

As we are sure you will understand, currently we cannot guarantee that Blind Week will proceed, and if so, in what format and timing.  The final decision will need to be taken by Easter at the latest.

At that time and, subject to the outlook being positive, we will make direct contact with those who have registered their interest in order to move things forward at an accelerated pace, although this delayed and compressed application process will no doubt prove challenging!

At that point, we will obviously give you more details of the event and its measures to keep everyone as safe as possible.  We are very conscious of the fact that the pandemic situation may evolve to permit some, most, or all aspects of our usual Blind Week formula to work in June 2021, or that a postponement to dates later in the year may need to be explored.

We are very keen to return to those days out on the water, enjoying the freedom of the seas and the sensations of sailing – with a VI at the helm and a cuppa somewhere in the picture – which all of us have missed so much!

We, therefore, ask you to register your interest in participating in Blind Week 2021 via an emailed reply to this letter  – including your name and mobile phone number as soon as possible and no later than 15 March 2021 to mail@blindweeksailing.co.uk

This will ensure that we are then able to make direct contact in the spring with all those who have expressed an interest, at which time we will be able to provide a clearer picture of how the event will run and a speedy completion of VI application forms will be requested!

We hope you will register your interest in getting out on the water in 2021 in whatever format we can safely deliver!

With our warmest wishes for a good and hopefully an improving 2021!

Will Bridge  Blind Week Co-ordinator  &  Rosie Shorman Blind Week Administrator

Sporting Activities for the Disabled Charitable Trust:  Charity no. 1044893

31 Pacific Close, Southampton, SO14 3TX  mail@blindweeksailing.co.uk

 

Blind Sailing week video Below

RYA Website

 

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Ahoy Shipmates! A Video from visa-gb!

A video about blind and partially sighted sailing from visa-gb!
Article, , , , , , ,

Ahoy Shipmates and a very happy new year to you all.

It’s great to have seen off 2020 with a size 12 sailing boot in the stern quarters.  Our faces now turned to windward as we await nursey to arrive in full sail with hypodermic pointed at our quivering buttocks, ah the pain and the pleasure!  But before we drift off into the arms of carry on nursing your attention is required.

Way back in the dim and distant days of yesteryear you’ll recall rumours of daring-do on the high seas as team Visa took on the Hollywood big wigs and shot an adventure fit for the big screen – well my hearties that moment is nearly upon us and the first cut is, as they say, in the can.  As this is the first cut and the audio described version is still at the studio we’ll give you the heads up on the action.  Please read below, to set the scene or you can jump to the video Here:  Quick link to the video 

Setting the Scene

With your freshly brewed cuppa and a newly opened packet of digestives, the king of biscuits as voted in 2020, you should sink into your favourite chair, put your feet on the cat and snuggle down as we set the scene.

Our story begins with the tinkling of halyards, sound of the sea, and the music begins.  Our boat, a 45’ Jeanneau sailing yacht with a large cockpit, two steering wheels and enough bunks to sleep ten,  was kindly loaned by to us by UKSA.  We are moored, starboard side too, at Town Quay marina in Southampton.

Town Quay is located to the East side of pier where you would catch the Red Jet to Cowes and about 100 metres from the Red Funnel port.  Once you leave Town Quay you are in Southampton water, which on the two days of filming was unremittingly grey with only the occasion squall to keep us honest.

As you leave the Quay you would expect to pass the huge cruise liners that start their world journeys in normal times.  Anyway back to the music and this heralds the arrival of Anil and Nathalie, Anil is self-guiding himself along the pontoon and Nathalie has the arm of Jane, one of our splendid volunteers.  As they reach the boat canes are folded and they climb aboard to join up with their crewmates Karen, Lorraine, Lofty and Vijay along with volunteers Jane, Bruce and Tim.

Once onboard the trip begins and the visually impaired crew make the boat ready for departure,  engine started, lines off and we are away out into Southampton water.  During the journey the crew hoist the sails, steer the boat, tack the boat, make a brew and do everything needed to go sailing.

With a first time sailor onboard and a busy stretch of water there are two reefs in the main and the headsail is also reefed, wind speed ranges from 8 to 18 knots.

The sea state is smooth as the wind is a north-westerly blowing offshore The voices you hear are from some of those taking part, the first is skipper Tim, then you’ll hear from Lofty, Lorraine, Nathalie, Bruce and Vijay.

We hope you enjoy this film below

We hope their words remind you of the fun of sailing and encourage you to join a trip with us in 2021 

Sailing Schedule for Visa-GB 2021

Website: https://visa-gb.org.uk/

 

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E.A.S.T Sailing Taster 7-9 May

East Anglian Sailing Trust E.A.S.T Sailing Dates 2020
News, , , , ,

East Anglian Sailing Trust

providing children and adults with disabilities regular opportunities to access and enjoy sailing activities

East Anglian Sailing Trust has a taster blind & partially sighted sailing opportunity in May 2020. No previous experience is necessary. Other dates are available for those who have been with EAST before.

  • TASTER WEEKEND – Thursday evening 7th to 9th May 2020 (8th is a Bank Holiday).

A contribution of £50(£25 per night) is requested to help cover food, fuel and mooring costs.*

Sailing is on a variety of yachts from 30′ to 40′ in length.  Crew sleep on the boats.

All EAST crews are volunteers. Skippers are NOT paid for the use of their boats. EAST skippers and sighted crew are VI awareness trained.  Life jackets provided.

VI crew can attend as individuals or a group (limited numbers).  They need to be active and physically able to move on a boat. Sorry, 18 years + only.  Nor can we accommodate guide dogs.

All this happens at Suffolk Yacht Harbour, Levington near Ipswich. We can help with transport from Ipswich bus and railway stations.

Testimonial from a VI Crew – “The feeling of sheer exhilaration, total involvement and being alive was incredible. That combination of boat, sea and wind meant that just for a while I could forget that I was visually impaired, and my only regret was that I hadn’t done it sooner. I’m never happier than when at the helm with the wind in my hair and the boat trimmed perfectly!”

INTERESTED, WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Contact:     Trevor Williams           Mobile:     0787 290 7719

Email:        vicruisingrecruitment@e-a-s-t.org.uk

Visit our website www.e-a-s-t.org.uk.       EAST is a registered charity.

Our VI Cruising Chairman Simon Daws, who is VI, would be very happy to talk to anybody with questions or in need of reassurance   – Mobile: 07749 714361.

 

Dates for experienced crew who have been with  EAST before:

  • LONG WEEKEND – Friday 29th May evening to Monday 1st June.

A contribution of £75 (£25 per night) is requested to help cover food, fuel and mooring costs.*

  • SEPTEMBER WEEK CRUISE – Friday 4th September evening to Saturday 12th morning.

A contribution of £200 (£25 per night) is requested to help cover food, fuel and mooring costs.*

*EAST membership is also required at £4 per night or £30 a year.

 

 

 

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E.A.S.T Sailing WEEK 4 Sept!

East Anglian Sailing Trust E.A.S.T Sailing Dates 2020
Events, , , ,
Venue:
All this happens at Suffolk Yacht Harbour, Levington near Ipswich. We can help with transport from Ipswich bus and railway stations.
Time:
TBC - TBC
Phone:
07749 71436
Date:
04th September 2020
Cost:
A contribution of £200 (£25 per night)
Contact:
vicruisingrecruitment@e-a-s-t.org.uk


East Anglian Sailing Trust

providing children and adults with disabilities regular opportunities to access and enjoy sailing activities

  • SEPTEMBERCRUISE – Friday 4th September evening to Saturday 12th morning.

A contribution of £200 (£25 per night) is requested to help cover food, fuel and mooring costs.*

*EAST membership is also required at £4 per night or £30 a year.

Sailing is on a variety of yachts from 30′ to 40′ in length.  Crew sleep on the boats.

All EAST crews are volunteers. Skippers are NOT paid for the use of their boats. EAST skippers and sighted crew are VI awareness trained.  Life jackets provided.

VI crew can attend as individuals or a group (limited numbers).  They need to be active and physically able to move on a boat. Sorry, 18 years + only.  Nor can we accommodate guide dogs.

All this happens at Suffolk Yacht Harbour, Levington near Ipswich. We can help with transport from Ipswich bus and railway stations.

Testimonial from a VI Crew – “The feeling of sheer exhilaration, total involvement and being alive was incredible. That combination of boat, sea and wind meant that just for a while I could forget that I was visually impaired, and my only regret was that I hadn’t done it sooner. I’m never happier than when at the helm with the wind in my hair and the boat trimmed perfectly!”

INTERESTED, WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Contact:     Trevor Williams           Mobile:     0787 290 7719

Email:  vicruisingrecruitment@e-a-s-t.org.uk

Visit our website www.e-a-s-t.org.uk.       EAST is a registered charity.

Our VI Cruising Chairman Simon Daws, who is VI, would be very happy to talk to anybody with questions or in need of reassurance   – Mobile: 07749 714361.

 

 

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