DSA Projects 2018
As the subject matter experts on sailing for the disabled, the DSA have a number of projects lined up for the new year, all aimed at providing real sailing for people with any disability. With 25 years experience in Ocean Sailing for the disabled, 15 years in Dinghy Sailing for the disabled and 30 years of research and feedback, the DSA have an unrivaled insight and ability to successfully improve sailing for people with any disability. Below are a few of the projects we have planned for the coming year.
30 years ago I was determined to provide sailing to people with any disability... real sailing - Mike Wood, MBE, Founder of the Disabled Sailors Association
The DSA D4D Project (dinghies for disabled)
The Need
Research by the DSA showed four main reasons disabled people were not going sailing or entering the Paralympics...
- The boats used were not ideal for disabled people
- The points system used to say how disabled you are is contentious and expensive to implement
- The cost of boat ownership is very high
- There are no permanent fully accessible UK facilities for young or new disabled sailors to learn, practice or even just give sailing a try
The Method
- Loan DSA designed dinghies to Clubs and individuals that agree to use the dinghies on a regular basis
- Move the dinghies to new users if they are under used or if circumstances change
- Set up the UK's first permanent, fully accessible sailing school for the disabled
- Organise regattas and promote disabled sailing
- Introduce a simple rule to allow ALL disabilities to sail - everyone remains seated at all times
The Benefits
For Individuals - Integration, a level playing field, motivation, pride, excitement and a sense of achievement for a section of society so often left as spectators.
For Clubs - Use of boats that are attractive to disabled and able bodied alike, superb training boats, the ability to promote sailing for all at no cost.
For the UK - Regaining the World Title for best facilities, increased tourism.
For a Potential Funder - Great PR, no money spent on salaries, corporate opportunities, branding.
The Cost
The D4D Sailing Centre of Excellence UK will cost ￡100,000 to set up fully and run for a year. We will be opening with 8 dinghies, 4 DSA 152 keelboats and 4 DSA Weta Trimarans. These dinghies cost ￡10,000 each and are fully modified to maximise comfort and safety for people with any disability, without losing any of the joy and excitement of sailing. Annual running costs for the Centre will be ￡20,000. All staff are volunteers, no money is spent on salaries.
The DSA D4D Project is now at the final stage before its launch, funding. We may have the experience and necessary tools to make this project a reality, but we can not do it without your help! For information on how to get involved or show your support contact Zax Wakeman @ [email protected]
The DSA 'RoRo' Sailing Project
Mike Wood set up the 'RoRo' Sailing Project back in 1992 to provide ocean sailing facilities for disabled people. It took 3 years to do the research and form a charity, The Thomas Morley Trust (now known as the DSA), and to design, fund and build the first fully accessible yacht. Her royal highness Princess Anne honoured us by launching the first of our RoRo yachts, Verity K, in 1995. Our RoRo Catamaran, Spirit of Scott Bader, was launched in 2002. By 2012 more than 20,000 people had sailed on our beautiful yachts and now in 2017 we continue to provide real ocean sailing for over 2,000 disabled individuals each year.
Our research shows there are currently over 60,000 disabled individuals within the UK alone that would like to get involved in sailing, whether it's just for a day out with the family or to hone some skills in an exciting sport. The DSA provide the most comfortable, hands on, safe and affordable sailing for disabled people in the UK, but with only 2 yachts, currently booked 12 months in advance, there is a huge demand for the development of new vessels.
The RoRo Sailing Project costs ￡120,000 to run each year. ￡40,000 on maintenence p/yacht and ￡20,000 for a skipper and berthing on each yacht.
Both existing DSA RoRo yachts run at near capacity and are 20 years old. There is also demand from other countries for their own wheelchair accessible yachts, not just the UK. To cater to this demand a set of moulds need to be made. We already have the design for a 40' version of the RoRo Cat and the moulds for this will cost ￡980,000. With the moulds in place it would cost ￡450,000 to build each yacht.
With just one new 40' RoRo Cat we could offer real ocean sailing to an additional 1,500 disabled individuals every year! And with the moulds in place we could cater to the demand from overseas for fully wheelchair accessible yachts.
We may have the design, experience and necessary tools to make this project a reality, but we can not do it without your help! For information on how to get involved or show your support contact Zax Wakeman @ [email protected]
The DSA Apprentice Program
Every 2 years the DSA takes on an unemployed disadvantaged young person as an apprentice and trains them to get a very good job in the marine industry. The last DSA apprentice completed his 2 year apprenticeship as a RYA Certified Yacht Master with 22 additional recognised qualifications. On top of this, DSA apprentices benefit from gaining 2 years hands on experience in sailing, marine maintenence, working with different disabilities and customer service.
This program is hugely successful and costs only ￡15,000 p/year. We would love to increase the number of youths we can help each year and plan to open more apprentice positions as we expand.
If you would like to support our apprentice program contact Zax Wakeman @ [email protected]
The DSA Trans-World Expedition
There is a huge demand from disabled people to take part in a round the world voyage. The DSA have already designed a fully accessible 70' trimaran that could undertake the voyage with a solely disabled crew. The trimaran will cost ￡3,000,000 to build and support costs for the voyage will be ￡1,500,000. The DSA are currently discussing the possibility of making a documentary on the design and build of the world's first fully accessible super yacht and its voyage around the world with a solely disabled crew. The crew will make stops along the way reviewing disabled facilities and how they differ around the world. It is our hope that this will not only raise awareness about sailing as a sport for the disabled but also disabled facilities globally and how they need to be improved.
We may have the experience and necessary tools to make this project a reality, but we can not do it without your help! For information on how to get involved or show your support contact Zax Wakeman @ [email protected]
The DSA European Sailing Centre of Excellence
The DSA have been successfully running a fully accessible sailing centre in Mar de Cristal Marina, Spain for the last few years. With low cost flights and accommodation it costs less to sail here in the warm weather than traveling from Birmingham to Portsmouth to use our boats in the UK. An option for fair weather sailing during the 'not so nice' months in the UK.
The Centre costs only ￡19,000 p/year to run and we plan to increase the number of dinghies available for use there. For information on how to get involved or show your support contact Zax Wakeman @ [email protected]
How can i help?
Funding - The DSA is only possible due to the people that support us. Individuals, Grant making trusts and corporations alike have assisted the DSA over the years in the way of financial support. Sponsors benefit from great PR, no money spent on salaries, corporate opportunities and branding. To make a donation to a particular project or to the DSA as a whole, either contact Zax Wakeman @ z.c.wakeman@gmail or visit www.disabledsailing.org
Volunteering - The DSA could not operate without our fantastic team of volunteers. From young people looking to gain some hands on experience in the nautical world or caring for people with disabilities to retirees looking to use their free time supporting a good cause and doing an activity they love without the cost of doing it. If you would like to lend a hand and get involved in one of our projects please contact Zax Wakeman @ [email protected]
For more information on the DSA, Projects, Achievements, Staff and opportunities visit our website @ www.disabledsailing.org
The Thomas Morley Trust (DSA)
Registered charity no 1028993