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Farmoor Reservoir
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Site Maintained by:- |
Oxford Sailability | ||
| Oxford Sailability is affiliated to Oxford Sailing Club and provides sailing for the disabled in specially adapted boats.
They operate on a Tuesday evening from 6pm between the middle of April and the middle of October. Oxford Sailability caters for all forms of disability has three types of boat.  Challengers, for the macho guys, who generally get on to the Racing Circuit and a few times a year visit other Sailability groups, usually staying away for the week end. In 2002 Oxford Sailability member Dan Newton accepted the Shipwrights’ Trophy from HRH Princess Anne for winning the Challenger UK Championships. It was the final one of a set, which made him the 2002 English, Irish, Welsh, Scottish and overall UK Champion. Dan had suffered from cancer since the age of 15. Major surgery had removed his right knee joint which was miraculously replaced with a special jointed prosthesis which rejoined the femur and tibia. This was followed by many months of severe chemotherapy to try to destroy the cancer. But sadly the cancer had spread and after several smaller operations to remove recurring tumours in his lungs, a new tumour was discovered growing behind his heart and in front of his spine. Dan died on February 23rd 2003. For the full story Click Here.
In 2003 Oxford Sailability ran the English Nationals in August, at Oxford, and were joined by the Welsh, the Scots, (no Irish,) but people from Graffam, Rutland, Milton Keynes, and Theale. Two sailors competed in the Welsh Nationals, six at Graffam Water and six at the U.K Nationals at Largs in Scotland. Seven Helpers went with the team to Scotland, the four boys, Luke's Dad and Alison stayed on the island of Cumrae, Organised by the Clyde Cruising Club Sailability Group, accommodation included cooked breakfast, packed lunch and free ferry rides back and forth night and morning which everyone thought was great fun. For more information on the Challenger visit www.sailchallenger.com  Oxford Sailability have five Access Dinghies, a boat that is eight feet long with a heavy centre plate which stops it from capsizing, it is very light and easy to control.
At Oxford Sailability these are mostly sailed by children, but we have had weaker adults sail them here, and there is an Access Dinghy racing circuit operating round the country which we are only too happy to join in. In 2003 we took two boys to Rutland water, and in the past we have been to Woolverstone near Ipswich, and White Friars near South Cemey.
 Sailability also has The Joyce, an aluminium flat bottomed sixteen foot boat, with lee boards and a front landing craft type ramp, for people who have not the capacity to sail alone.
They spend a happy social evening enjoying the freedom of the water and the breeze. Nigel's Ark takes eight people two of whom can be in wheel chairs. See the video -Testing The Joyce.
There is also a very active social programme. The Laying Supper in November, is an opportunity for trophies to be displayed on the window sill, showing the years winnings. We remember the hayday and are a little sad when we think of Dan Newton's successes in the Challeger Class. April sees the Fitting Out Supper when we look forward to the coming season. 
Anyone wishing to join Sailability contact Pam Gee, on 01865 862386. | |||