KATHRYN Stephens has been blind since a car accident in 1992.
She had always liked the idea of sailing, so when she heard that Port Macquarie West Rotary Club was starting a Sailability group, she decided to join.
“The motto of Sailability is ‘freedom on the water’ and that’s exactly what it is,” Kathryn said.
“It is magic being out on the water and being able to hear the sound of the water lapping.”
The Port Macquarie group is a branch of Sailability NSW Inc. whose mission is to offer people with varying abilities training and support on the water.
Beginning with two borrowed sailing vessels and a handful of volunteers in 2012, Kathryn Stephens has been with them since the beginning.
“I like the idea of being able to zoom up and down the river and it’s really good fun.
“We have at least 120 participant sailors, plus skippers and lots of land jobs, [and] a large group of volunteers who make it all run like clockwork.
“I’ve seen incredible growth in the club since the days when we had to launch the boats off the beach and climb in, [which meant] anyone with a physical disability couldn’t sail.
“Over time we have installed a floating pontoon and we have ended up with an amazing community facility.
Kathryn has competed in the Port Stephens Cup on Grahamstown Dam; the NSW Hansa State Titles and Parasailing Championships out of Middle Harbour Yacht Club; the Asia Pacifics and the Nationals on the Gold Coast; and the Hansa International Worlds on Pittwater in Sydney.
Her competition partner Jason Elwes is a paraplegic and a member of the Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie Club.
Sailability currently operates Hansa 303 Access sailing boats and three rigid-hulled inflatable support boats, with a workforce of 60 volunteers
Rotary West still supports Sailability, and member Julie Constable has been involved since the beginning.
While not a sailor, she has worked in disability services and is part of the team that keeps things running smoothly each week.
“We train a lot of carers here to support their clients while they are sailing,” she said.
Sailability operates most Wednesdays from September to May, at McInherney Park.
To volunteer or become a sailor go to sailabilitypm.com.au.
By Pauline CAIN
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