Yachting Australia

Back:  News Australia is recognised as the world innovator in entry level and disabled sailing. In June, Australian Sailability volunteers, Neil and Barbara Anderson travelled to Greece and held a month of well-received demonstrations introducing the Greek community to Sailability.

Sailability Hellas will be a fully integrated avenue for people to experience the joys of sailing, regardless of age, ability or financial status. Such programmes are evolving throughout the world and are providing the opportunity for people with any type of disability to participate with their family and friends in recreational sailing, or to compete against others of any ability. The first container of equipment will arrive in Athens in September, with a second to Thessaloniki in early 2004.

Panayotis Tsinganos of Athens, went sailing in a little red boat

‘It’s been 15 years since my accident, which brought me a C5 quadriplegia; more than 20 since I sailed for the last time. Last 15 years with a dream: to change the attitude of the society towards disabled and to shift disabled persons’ focus from strictly looking for amenities, such as pensions or a few ramps at the side-walks, to include our right to the possibility to get and offer joy.

I learned about Sailability accidentally; someone put my email address as cc at an email addressing a third person. My reaction was instinctive: I didn’t dare even to think of sailing again with such a severe disability. I got involved to bringing the Access Dinghies to Greece. It took a lot of effort, a lot of time (and this is always in short supply) and a lot of inspiration. But these people down there in Australia really meant it. They had the know-how, they found the sponsors, got the volunteers, used my helping most efficiently and…

Today is the Sunday June 22, 2003. A brilliant day, a historical day: today I, Panayotis Tsinganos, a C5 Greek quad, did sail a red 2.3 all alone in the open sea. It’s 10 pm and the exciteness has not fainted yet; not a bit. The little boat tilting on the side, with a wind of 3 Beaufort and me controlling everything with a joystick. Miraculous!

Thank you Jackie, Chris, Neil, Barbara, thanks everyone who has helped this to come true. In the next month Sailability Hellas will be formed; nothing can stand on our way now. For life has still got a bright side.’

Sponsors - four additional sponsors are still required, each donating A$7000 each. The international marine industry has taken this project to heart and have provided sponsorship. Sponsors include: Ronstan International, RW Basham Pty Ltd, West Marine, Henri-Lloyd, Skandia Life