Cowes Sailability Club has announced that it will be offering free boating excursions during Cowes Week for Island residents with physical disabilities, learning difficulties and debilitating medical conditions.
The hour-long trips will take passengers out into the Solent in a wheelchair-accessible motor catamaran.
Cowes Sailability Club Commodore, Patrick de Peyer says:
“Often, people with disabilities are unable to really appreciate large events like Cowes Week because of the crowds and the lack of accessible facilities.
“Cowes Sailability Club aims to change this by making it possible for disabled people and their families or carers to experience the thrill of a world-class sailing regatta from the water.”
Cowes Sailability Club would be pleased to hear from any island businesses that might be interested in sponsoring one of the days on the water or providing other financial assistance. The club will operate 4 trips daily, for up to 10 passengers at a time, for the 5 day period from 8th – 12th August 2016.
The trips will take place aboard Wetwheels Solent, a 9m catamaran that can accommodate up to 3 wheelchair users at any one time. The vessel has been made available to Cowes Sailability Club for Cowes Week by the Wetwheels Solent CIC, through the generous support of the quadriplegic yachtsman Geoff Holt MBE DL.
Places on Wetwheels Solent during Cowes Week must be booked in advance and are likely to be filled quickly. Booking forms are available from [email protected] or can be requested via the club website www.cowessailability.co.uk.
