Marathon events

[ericatcse]

I like many others used to enjoy attending events in my own district (North) and the Midlands,  Unfortunately I am now excluded  due to the amount of walking required. As an example some fellow club members attended a recent event, they walked 11 miles during the day and didn't go back for the second day. In my case I am unable to walk any great distance and am unable to walk fast enough for long enough to keep up with the fleet  due to the length of unrestricted access allowed on the bank to the skippers.

I am saddened that I am excluded because of  my disability. Why is there not a limit on the size of the area open to competing skippers for example 2 metres for each of the skippers in a fleet.

Could the MYA and affiliated clubs be in contravention of the Disability, Discrimination legislation?

[Derek Priestley]

Steve,

 

I read your post & feel your pain!!

I had to stop racing Marbleheads & 10rs for the very reason that I can't keep up with them!  Several of us would have to stop racing Vane A class but for the kindness of other sailors within the fleet who catch our boats & lift them our for us as we hobble down the bank after them!

But, I believe that our sport is fully inclusive and there's something for everyone.  

Slower classes, lakes & clubs where walking is restricted, etc  I'm sure that you couls find a way to keep sailing!!

 

Good luck & best wishes

 

Derek

[Darin Ballington]

I agree with both posts above, and each class and district should consider it skippers when compiling the calendar. It is important that we try for the best racing, but this encompasses a number of elements, none of which work if there are only 2 or 3 entries due to the venue.

When building the national calendar, we try to mix the venues and the times to give people a fair crack at sailing at all levels, some venues are great sailing but don't suit those who are less nimble, others work for the less nimble, are restricted on wind direction and ultimate sailing but give a more social event.

The key to a successful sailing calendar is a blend that gets the best participation over a season.

Might be worth asking your local district councillor if you can help give a different view on the calendar when compiling next time.

Darin

[Downbytheriver]

I have some flesh in this discussion too - I’m lucky in that my home club has a fixed control position. 
 

I’ve only sailed at Fleetwood once but it was one of the best days ever - full length of the pond with 6 metres. However I had to sit out the last two races as my legs were done - my mobility is now worse so sadly I won’t be going back there (worse yet that includes the 2023 nationals). Please also note that underfoot conditions can make a big difference too. 
 

I’m open to suggestion as to suitable venues where I can stay in one place (for preference in a chair). I’m certainly not saying that events shouldn’t be held where I can’t cope, just that I’d like to know in advance! I’ve managed ok at Broads, Two Islands, Dartmoor, Dovercourt and just about at Poole Park. 
 

it’s a great sport for the disabled in the right place! 

Edited November 24, 2022 by Downbytheriver

[stevevw]

1 hour ago, Downbytheriver said:

I’m open to suggestion as to suitable venues where I can stay in one place (for preference in a chair). I’m certainly not saying that events shouldn’t be held where I can’t cope, just that I’d like to know in advance! I’ve managed ok at Broads, Two Islands, Dartmoor, Dovercourt and just about at Poole Park. 
 

 

Lee Valley also sail 6m year round.

 

I am still able to walk the bank but in some cases would prefere a fairly fixed control area. What would be even better would be those walking the bank to walk behind those that are static. Far too often I see the walkers blocking the view of those that choose to stay in one place, to me it is like the annoying people under aking on the motorway.

[Martin Tigg]

Unfortunately non of us are getting any younger. With age come experience but the poor old body lets us down eventually. Not many of us will play football again. It’s the way of things. Do what we can while we can and when we can’t accept we have to do something else. Sail a slower class. DF 65’s  or  lasers. Please enjoy what you can and remember the alternative to what you can do now is not a good option. 

[Derek Priestley]

Raced Lasers on Sunday at Fleetwood, nice day but lightish southerly wind across the lake, so we had to set a figure of 8 course to get beats in.  

We did 16 races between 10.30 and 3 pm with 30mins lunch break.  

All 8 sailors were still standing / walking at the end!!

[Downbytheriver]

So, if the calendar takes this into consideration as stated above, can someone tell me how we are supposed to know which events are suitable for the less able of us? Are we supposed to know already? It seems to me there are various criteria to consider (fixed control position, short walking required, good underfoot, access etc) that would make a venue suitable or otherwise for differing abilities. It would be wonderful to have a list of clubs that run events and their suitability - could this be made up from say a questionnaire? 
 

Or do people not really care?

Edited November 30, 2022 by Downbytheriver

[Downbytheriver]

On 30/11/2022 at 15:28, Downbytheriver said:

So, if the calendar takes this into consideration as stated above, can someone tell me how we are supposed to know which events are suitable for the less able of us? Are we supposed to know already? It seems to me there are various criteria to consider (fixed control position, short walking required, good underfoot, access etc) that would make a venue suitable or otherwise for differing abilities. It would be wonderful to have a list of clubs that run events and their suitability - could this be made up from say a questionnaire? 
 

Or do people not really care?

I guess not

[Mike Ewart]

I would think if you dont know the site then using the contacts given in an NOR you can enquire of the race officer or failing that the club secretary or race officer will I am sure give you the required information, there are a number of clubs where walking is minimal

[Graham Elliott]

As most, I have been thinking about this subject quite a lot over the past week or so, and like most have had a problem with the answer.

Our sport should be fully inclusive but the problem with the sport is that it relies so much on vision, be it a mark rounding or close Port/Starboard crossing or even just watching the pressure in the jib to allow fast sailing. Vision is obviously improved with distance and this is why we enjoy venues that allow skippers to walk the bank as to say.

This then gives us a problem of how we become more inclusive but still keep the quality sailing, basically it is impossible to have both so the only answer is, for clubs that are suitable to try and run a few events where skippers are asked to use tighter restrictions on walking.

Partially sighted, again this is near impossible to cater for in our sport, unfortunately.

When you want to level up our sport and go deeper into it you really do come across some interesting things like, is it correct that the skipper that stands at 5' tall should not be able to use a step to stand on for at least the startline to put them at the same height of a 6'7 inch skipper?

Sometimes you just have to accept that some sports you just have to adopt a different approach as you get older, instead of sailing the fastest 10r you may have to sail the lovely slower class but I think you should still love the sport with change.