Peterborough Sailability receives RYA Accreditation 

Peterborough Sailability has recently been accredited by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) as a Recognised Training Centre.

The centre, which has been operating since 2006 at Ferry Meadows in Nene Park, offers disabled people living in and around Peterborough the opportunity to go sailing and to enjoy the sense of freedom this brings.

Deena Brooks has been appointed principal, and will be responsible for training programmes. 

Deena says: “This accreditation recognises the serious and continuing efforts we are making to give to as many disabled people in the Peterborough area as possible the opportunity to go out in a sailing boat, and learn how to sail independently. It also enables us develop the sailing skills of our volunteer helpers.

“We are very proud that RYA have placed their trust in us to run this new Training Centre. We will be training our own helpers and disabled users, whilst able bodied sailors can use Nene Outdoors at Lakeside for sailing courses.”

Weather permitting Peterborough Sailability holds regular sailing sessions on each Tuesday and Thursday from April through to October, from 10am to 4.30pm.  

Each session lasts about 30 minutes and costs £5, which goes towards the running costs.

Bob Bailey, the centre’s head of operations, says: “We have sailors here aged from 8 to 80+ with a huge range of disabilities, who experience sailing to a level they enjoy and are comfortable with. 

“In 2014 we introduced RYA Sailability Certificate of Achievement Scheme, which enables those with a learning disability to improve their skills, achieve set tasks in sailing, and be rewarded for their achievement.

“We are privileged to be able to use Gunwade Lake at Ferry Meadows in Nene Park Peterborough for our sailing, where the location and facilities are ideal for our activities and make a great venue for a day out. We regularly take around 75 people sailing on Thursdays, and we ask visitors to make a booking so that we can plan the days. All are welcome."

For more information on Peterborough Sailability visit www.peterboroughsailability.org and to book a session call 07948 262919