RYA Sailability Scotland is a recognised Scottish charity and is responsible for the development of opportunities for people with a disability to enjoy sailing and other on-water activities.

The year 2006 saw RYASS going into a holding pattern as a new committee came to terms with the task ahead and much of the years activity has been based on re-establishing the core aims of the organisation as well as coming to terms with the implications of the Charity and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act and the requirements of the new Scottish Charity regulator.

On the water, the Challenger Traveller series again provided the opportunity for clubs to advertise their involvement though the overall entry was down on 2005 and there were no new sailors. The hard core of regular competitors and their ever faithful helpers enjoyed a good season albeit one that had been stretched from April to October in order to accommodate the UK Championships at Largs. The participants enjoyed or endured the usual variety of conditions with days being lost to too much wind (Bardowie), even more wind (Largs), whilst at Fort William racing was abandoned due to a lack of wind in favour of basking in the sun and finishing off a cask of ale well it was the middle of October!! Did I mention that it snowed at Loch Venachar?

The Scottish Open Challenger Championship was held at Strathclyde Loch in June. Although there were eleven Scottish sailors present the entry from outside of the host nation was again poor. A lack of funds was again cited as one of the reasons though with more events in England on the calendar there is less incentive to venture north. The UK Championships at Largs though saw a significant English entry and they took most of the prizes though they lost out on the social side with the last Englishman being chased out of the bar (sorry going to bed!) well before the end!!!

On the more positive side membership of RYASS increased with Able2Sail and Tay Sail Training Association becoming members for the first time and Loch Venachar and St Mary Loch rejoining the fold. Unfortunately, Largs Challenger Group remains dormant and Cowal Sailability appears to have gone the same way.

The work of RYASS and its member groups is voluntary and no core funding is available in support of this. Therefore it is necessary to continue to recruit and train new volunteers and to seek funding opportunities. Unless we are successful in this we run the risk of failing in our prime aim of being able to broaden the opportunities available for sailing and other waterborne activities, as the only opportunities will be competitive.

There is however some hope. RYASS has entered into a partnership agreement with the Royal Highland Yacht Club to provide opportunities for young persons with a disability and those from a disadvantaged background to have the opportunity to take to the water. The agreement is to run for three years commencing in April 2007 and will provide up to six events a year based at clubs on the Western Seaboard. RHYC is providing the bulk of the funding for this with additional funding from RYASS. The success of this programme will be dependent on the commitment of trained volunteers and qualified personnel from the host clubs. Details of the programme will be announced in early 2007.

RYASS will continue to offer Disability Awareness Training with both introduction and two-day courses being run at clubs and centres across the country. During the season it is expected to undertake demonstrations and hold taster sessions at interested clubs with emphasis on those who are accredited RYA Foundation Sites. It is hoped that these will include periods spent on all aspects of volunteer recruitment and training and compliance with Disability Discrimination legislation.

Working with individuals with a limitation to their activity or Persons with Restricted Mobility can be hard work and requires commitment. It can also be very rewarding. Sailability Scotland does not employ any fund-raisers not does it pay salaried officials. The management team comprises dedicated volunteers who give of their time freely. More help is needed to ensure the work progresses and there are many more opportunities available across Scotland for disabled people to enjoy the freedom of being on the water.

Further information on how you can become involved or where to sail, is available from the RYA Scotland office in Edinburgh, telephone 0131 317 7388 or email sailability@ryascotland.org.uk