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Welcome to Grafham Water Sailability

Disability should not be a barrier to achievement

Welcome to the 2026 Sailing Season...

The new Sailing season at Grafham Water Sailability starts Thursday 2 April (weather permitting!). We look forward to welcoming new and existing sailors and volunteers (experience not necessary), for fun and social afternoons. If you are interested in finding out more either just come along (between 12.30 and 2.30) and find out what we do, or contact us at [email protected] to find out more.

Hope to see you soon!

Exciting News

Many congratulations to Kirsten Pollock, an experienced GWS sailor, who has just taken part in the 80th 2025 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race as a crew member on the MWF* Kayle.

The team finished in 37th place across the whole field of 128 mixed-fleet racing and 8th in PHS Div 1 (Performance Handcap System) and we are all hugely proud of Kirsten's part in this fantastic achievement.

Well done Kirsten!

*MWF = Making Waves Foundation, MWF Kayle is known for inclusive offshore racing, designed to be accessible and inclusive for everyone

Who We Are and What We Do

A friendly, inclusive, sailing club for adults of all ages with a range of different disabilities.

We are an enthusiastic group of sailors who, with the help of our fantastic volunteers enjoy relaxed and leisurely group or solo sailing, and competitive sailing. All at your own pace with as much or as little assistance as you need. We have a Clubhouse with refreshments, indoor and outdoor seating, a changing area and toilet. You can also borrow waterproofs and lifejackets.

Interested?: We welcome new members, you don't need to have any sailing experience, email: [email protected] for further information or to arrange a visit and a free trial sail on a Thursday afternoon (April to October only and subject to weather/covid restrictions). New volunteers are also very welcome.

Meet Marcia

I was an athlete, in fact, I was a high jumper and then I ended up as a long-distance runner, which is quite a leap from one to the other.

However, when I ended up injured and in a wheelchair, I needed something to replace it, and one day I met Judi Figgures who was the founder of Grafham Water Sailability.

Judi was great and she encouraged me to come and try sailing, and after my first outing on the Challenger I was hooked, and that was it.

Sailing is a great sport, it really is, there's always a boat out there somewhere that will suit you, no matter what your disability.

It's great because you can go out there on the water, and you can forget all about your disability. All your cares go behind you.

Meet Sarah

A massive stroke means that my left hand doesn't work very well and sailing on my own wasn't an option. However, a winch has now been adapted for me so that I can use both hands on the tiller and still be able to use the joy stick to get the mainsheet in. I can now sail solo on days when there is a reasonable amount of wind and join in with other sailors. I am hoping that at some stage I will get to race and that would be great.

When I'm in the boat I can be independent, which I can't be when I'm not in it. Its lovely and it makes me happy.

Our boats

Our boats: 12 Challenger trimarans, 2 Hobie Mirage trimarans for individual or buddied sailing, a Drascombe longboat (crewed) for small groups, safety boat, coaching rib.

Challengers are specifically designed for disabled sailors, with safety in mind, while at the same time they can provide an exhilarating experience.

We have a hoist and specially trained staff to assist people who find it hard to get in and out of the boats.

"Sailing sets me free" (a GWS sailor)

Sailing Challengers

You don't need any previous sailing experience to join us. When you start sailing with us, you will have an experienced and knowledgeable sailing buddy sitting alongside you, teaching you how to sail. Once you feel confident, have mastered the basics, and been assessed as having the necessary skills, you will be able to sail solo. There is no pressure to do this. Some sailors will always sail with a buddy, or be more suited to group or hobie cat sailing.

Group Sailing

We have a Drascombe long boat which seats up to 6 people (including carers) and 2 experienced crew. This is used by individuals and groups who can experience the pleasure of being out on the water but for whom Challengers or Hobie Cats may not be appropriate.

Hobie Cats

Hobie Cats as shown in the photo above are designed for two people sailing in tandem, an experienced buddy sits in the back seat, while the sailor is at the front. This enables the sailor to participate in sailing the boat.

Competitive Sailing

Some of our more experienced sailors love the thrill of racing and going to regattas to compete. The club has trailers that can be borrowed for towing boats to competitions. We are hoping to provide a programme of race coaching in 2024. This is not for everyone and you don't have to join in if you don't want to.

Safety and teaching boats

We have two safety/teaching boats. At least one (and usually both) are on the water on Thursday afternoons. They are crewed by qualified safety boat staff. All sailors have radios to enable them to contact the safety boats or the Beachmaster if they need to.

Events 2024

Grafham Water Sailability was unable to hold a Regatta this year, but hopefully we will organise an event in 2025.

Many members and volunteers will be coming to the Christmas Lunch in December.

We also plan to organise a programme of training over the winter months.

Volunteering

We have a fantastic team of willing volunteers, who help with everything from rigging, launching and retrieving the boats to maintenance and repairs. We also have volunteers who organise refreshments, clean the clubhouse and arrange social events both in and out of season. Volunteers who want to help in running the club or who have relevant sailing qualifications are very welcome too.

GWS was delighted when, in August 2022, one or our longest serving volunteers was awarded an RYA Community Award for Lifetime Commitment. We are thrilled to announce that another of our amazing volunteers has received a similar Award in 2023.

Additionally, we cannot thank enough the local Rotary clubs and their members who provide us with excellent support throughout the sailing season.

We welcome new volunteers. If you would like to come along and give us a hand, you don't need any particular skills apart from enthusiasm, we would very much like to meet you.

GWS Volunteer Application Form 2025

GWS Facilities

We have a great clubhouse where sailors gather after sailing on Thursday afternoons to grab tea, coffee and doughnuts while they chat over who got wettest (!) or who caught the biggest gust or wind. There is a changing area which is big enough to take a wheelchair, and a toilet suitable for all. On warm days, it is lovely to sit out on the terrace to watch all the activity out on the water.

Costs

Cost for 2025: Individual membership £40 per year (no other sailing costs unless you take part in a Regatta), Group membership £80. Volunteers join as Associate Members £2 per year.

All Associate Members must have a current DBS check (within the last three years). This can be arranged for you through the RYA at no cost to yourself.

Information for Sailors

In this section you will find more information about sailing with us. In the interests of safety, all sailors and volunteers are expected to be aware of the Club's Safety & Operating Procedures. SOME DOCUMENTS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED

GWS Membership Application 2025

Signal Flags (PDF)

Grafham Water Sailability Policies

Click to find the following GWS Policies:

GWS Equal Opportunities Policy (PDF)

GWS Dog Policy (PDF)

SOME POLICIES CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED

Rotary Clubs

We get a huge amount of generous support from local Rotary Clubs for which we are extremely grateful. The Clubs have a rota, so every Thursday you will find a different group of friendly volunteers helping us out.

We are delighted that two generous donations from Rotary Clubs have allowed us to replace one of our old wooden picnic tables. The new table is made from recycled plastic and is maintenance free. It has seating for four plus an extended top to allow wheelchair access. We hope to be able to buy another table next year.

RYA Affiliation

GWS benefits from affiliation with the RYA which offers advice and support not only for Sailability clubs, but also in encouraging people with disabilities to get out on the water and discover the thrill of sailing. You might like to have a look at the website: rya.org.uk/start boating/sailability for further information.

Gallery

GWS Sailing Sept 2023 Fun Regatta

Keeping an eye on the sailing!

Boarding the Drascombe

Challenger on the water

Norman receiving award from the Princess Royal

GWS Sailing Sept 2023

Requesting Your Support

Since it was founded in 2005, Grafham Water Sailability's success in helping adults with disabilities in the community has been made possible thanks to people like you. We are a charity which receives no funding from statutory bodies. The Club obtains funding through the efforts of its own members and our Rotary supporters, from organisations and individuals. Grateful thanks to all those who have, and who continue to, support us.

With your generous contribution, no matter how great or small, we are able to make a difference, whether it is providing fuel for the safety boats, replacing old sailing equipment, or providing waterproof clothing.

We are grateful for any help you can give.

Thank you to all who have so generously supported GWS, both financially and in many other ways, without you the Club would be unable to continue.

GWS Gift Aid Declaration Form multiple donations (PDF)