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Click here to return to News and Events. Sailing NewsMarch 2010Members are advised of exciting new developments underway whereby it is hoped to be able to offer visually impaired people the opportunity to go sailing over the coming months. Moves are afoot to develop Blind Sailing Ireland, which in time will hopefully be accepted as part of Blind Sailing International. A recent meeting was held by Sandra Garvey Dyson, (who is a sailor who recently lost some of her vision), with the MD of Shannon Sailing in Dromineer, Co. Tipperary - on Lough Derg on the Shannon. He has identified four boats that he feels would be easy for a blind person to learn to sail or improve existing skills. She has also identified the first volunteer skipper, an American (whose wife is visually impaired and still sails) who has taught blind sailing in the US for many years. He is also willing to train other volunteer skippers and crew. Sandra also has a boat based out of Kilrush, co. Clare which would be suitable for the more adventurous sailors. This will have an experienced skipper and sighted crew as well as any VI sailors. A request for volunteers will go out on Seascapes on Radio as Sandra is to be interviewed by Marcus Connaughton for the show. It is hoped to be able to make a start around May/June time possibly one day a month to begin with. This is an activity that is suitable for all - both adults and Children - and is an activity that allows VI sailors to integrate fully with other fully sighted crew members while learning or developing new skills. If you are already an experienced sailor or a complete novice willing and interested to learn please contact info@ibsports.ie for further information. 
Photo courtesy of Blind Sailing International. |
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