Hilary Lister

Hilary Lister can only move her head, but set a record in 2005 when she sailed solo across the English Channel by using a 'sip and puff' system to control the sails and steering.

Geoff Holt

In 2007, quadriplegic sailor Geoff Holt (paralysed from the chest down) become the first disabled person to sail alone around Great Britain.

Sailing for the disabled

Winning a gold medal. Crossing the oceans. Being in sole control of a boat at sea. These are things that disabled sailors can achieve, just as much as the able-bodied!
With the right equipment, it's likely you can get afloat and begin to follow a dream. Those that try sailing often speak of the new freedom it brings them.

We have a more in-depth article, No Barriers (sailing for the older generation and the disabled), which covers the basics of how and why.

See also a list of boats suitable for physically disabled people (including those raced at the Paralympic games)

The I.F.D.S.

The International Association for Disabled Sailing are the worldwide governing body for disabled sailing, including racing at national and Paralympic level (for example, the World Blind Sailing Championships).

They have a useful manual for disabled sailors which contains information for sailors and event organisers, all about how to assist disabled people to actively participate. This manual covers:

• Ideas for disabled sailors - common questions and answers
• In and out of boats - the best way to transfer safely into and out of a boat
• Cruising - dealing with long durations afloat

Other useful resources

We have a selection of photos showing disabled sailors racing and the various seating arrangements on various boats.

Sailability International provide on-the-water test reports of boats, each written a disabled person.

Charities that can get you on the water:

In addition to the disabled sailing associations in your country there are charities which offer a variety of opportunities to get afloat. We currently have information for a few countries only:

•  The Ellen MacArthur Trust - for children suffering from serious illnesses
•  Jubilee Sailing Trust - disabled sailing on Tall Ships across the oceans
•  Tideway Sailability - try disabled sailing in London
•  Gwennili Trust - try disabled sailing in the Solent
•  Disabled Sailors Association - have wheelchair-accessible yachts and also loan dinghies
•  The Andrew Cassell Foundation - assisting disabled sailors to win yacht races
•  Even Keel Project - making sailing available to all
•  Bruce Wake Trust - canal and river holidays for wheelchair users
•  Access To Sailing - sailing excusions for the disabled in California
•  Shake A Leg - sailing in Newport for those with a spinal cord injury
•  Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating - disabled sailing in Annapolis
•  Bay Area Association - disabled sailing in San Francisco Bay
•  DR Yachting - disabled sailing holidays around the Greek islands
•  Imago Maris Foundation - sea sailing for blind people from all European countries