Sailability is a program at the Canberra Yacht Club offering an additional level of support, an established network of volunteers and equipment to assist people of all-abilities to get into sailing.
It is an international program first introduced to the CYC in 2017.
Sailability CYC is co-located with all other sailing activities and is an integral part of our community and operations.
There are 20 sessions in the 2022-23 sailing season calendar.
If an invoice or receipt is required for NDIS please contact the office.
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If you wish to experience “Freedom on the Water”, sailing sessions are conducted on Sunday mornings from 10am to 12.15pm, in 45 minute sessions, from October to April.
Sessions run at 10am, 10.45 and 11.30.
Bookings are essential and preferably need to be made by the Wednesday prior to the Sunday session. Seven spots are available per session. Dedicated places are allocated at some sessions for new sailors to ‘come and try’.
To book a session call us on (02) 6273 4777 or contact the CYC office by email.
EMAIL US
When booking ensure that the contact details provided enable us to contact you by phone at short notice on the day of the session if needed. Please advise if hoisting into the boats is required and of any special techniques that need to be used.
Two pairs, one enclosed
(no sandals or thongs)
for the water (aqua booties or old sneakers are great) and one dry pair for on land.
Shorts or track pants are fine over swimmers.
T-shirts, woollen jumper, rain jacket, lycra rash vest.
Students are required to wear a hat at all times outside, baseball caps are the best. Sunscreen is provided. Glasses retainers are advised.
You will get wet!
Bring morning tea and lunch. The CSCC has a fish and chip shop and provides a basic lunch order service- details are provided on booking. Please bring cash for lunch orders or snack/soft drink machine.
Bring your own water bottle. Water bottles can be carried on the boats and can be refilled at any time.
All Sailability sessions are weather dependent.
The CYC and the Sailability organisers
on the day reserve the right to call off sessions at short notice if required. If the forecast
indicates that the weather is clearly going to be adverse on a Sunday we will attempt to
notify participants that the session has been called off in advance by 3pm on the Friday.
Sessions may also be called off on the Sunday morning or even part way through a session
due to sudden adverse weather.
At all times we are concerned with the safety of our
participants and volunteers as a priority.
The boats used by Sailability are designed to be stable and easy to sail. They can be sailed solo or by a team of two. The twin rudders are operated by joystick and boats can be fitted with electric servo assist for the sail winches and steering. The CYC has a fleet of Hansa 203 and 303 boats, a Liberty and a Skud available.
Sailing can offer beginners and experienced sailors lots of fun – for recreation or competitive sport. Hansa design features allow total novices of any ability to sail with little tuition, almost regardless of the conditions. More experienced sailors enjoy the lively response and fun of close one-design class racing.
Instructors adapt their teaching methods to suit individuals of all-abilities.
Sailing activities are supported by an onshore group of volunteer assistants and by dedicated power safety boats.
Equipment to assist those with limited mobility to get into and out of boats is always available.
Modified docking areas are fully accessible.
There are affordable options to participate. Invoices for NDIS can be arranged. Carers are welcome to participate and try sailing too.
Events are open for people of all-abilities to compete. Sailability sailors can participate in CYC club racing on Wednesday evenings during daylight savings and in the summer Sunday afternoon racing. Racing events go all the way to state, national and international titles!
Volunteers are essential to making the sport accessible and there are many different ways you can become involved, including roles that don’t require any prior sailing experience.
CYC Sailability welcomes new volunteers and training will be offered in a variety of roles. Roles for volunteers may include: rigging boats, welcoming sailors and carers, dock hands helping get sailors into boats, skippers for two person boats, safety boat drivers and crew, and administration of daily operations. Some of the other volunteer opportunities with Sailability include: fundraising, media and public relations, social activities organiser.
Those wishing to help and volunteer for the Sailability Program at the CYC must have a current ACT Working with Vulnerable People Card. This can be arranged on-line and is FREE for those volunteering for this activity with Sailability CYC.
To volunteer please contact the CYC office.
EMAIL USOr call us on (02) 6273 4777
Please get in touch and let us know how we can help you out.