A charity worker from Barry has taken on a new role to promote the work of Sailability and encourage even more sailing clubs and centres in South Wales into providing or enhancing their disabled sailing facilities.
John Cushen has become the face of Sailability in South Wales, along with fellow regional officer Paul Leyshon, with the drive to encourage all areas from potential Paralympians to fun sailors.
Cushen has a long history of working or sailing with people with disabilities for a number of years and has great knowledge and experience to share.
Debbie Blachford, RYA Sailability Manager said: “The RO’s are a vital link between the head office team and the Sailability groups around the country. They are the regional experts and work to link local disabled people with the right Sailability group in the area.”
Cushen said his main aim is to flag up the availability of the work being done by the Sailability scheme.
“I will be in touch with all the clubs to tell them what resources are available to make their clubs more accessible, while also showing the attractions of sailing to people with disability and their families,” he explained.
“It is a mix between supporting the existing clubs and the individuals from possible Paralympians to all other levels – it is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
“Some clubs are already a long way down towards fully inclusive sailing, but there is still a message to get across just as there is in the mainstream community.
“Sailing is a really good way of involving the whole family in the activity, parents or siblings can enjoy it as well and they can all become competitive or just simply enjoy going out on the water and sailing round the bay.
“I have only recently learned to sail single-handedly so I can understand the challenges.
“My day job is running a small carers charity that supports parents of people with a learning disability.
“I have been closely involved in promoting sailing for the disabled for the past year, mainly through helping with the development of sailing opportunities in Cardiff Bay and look forward to helping develop these and other sailing opportunities over the coming year.
“It has been an eye opener to see just how far sailing for the disabled has advanced since I first helped people get afloat in the 90's and great to see how the sport has truly become accessible to people of ALL abilities.”
For contact details of your local Regional Officer visit: www.rya.org.uk/AboutRYA/RYASailability/Pages/regional.aspx
Full details about the Sailability programme can be found at www.ryasailability.org.uk or you can view Sailability TV at www.ryasailability.tv
For further media information:
Hamish Stuart
RYA Wales regional communicator
Tel: 07914 873451
Email: Hamish@score-media.co.uk
www.rya.org.uk