September 29, 2000

Visually Impaired Sailing Event

The ICI Watercare sponsored Visually Impaired Sailing - 29th September to 1st October.

As usual, the event was well attended and enjoyed by all. Next year will be the tenth anniversary of sponsorship.

There were a couple of changes this year to the usual format. As the helpers from Wade Deacon High School were not available, arrangements were made for Lymm High School to provide the able bodied companions for the VI youngsters. We also managed to borrow a couple of Hawks from the Nelson Centre to allow more hands-on sailing for the youngsters. This added an extra dimension to the weekend and was very well received. 

The event took place in the Menai Straits and was organised jointly with Canolfan Dinas and members of the Port Dinorwic Berth Holders Association who kindly made their boats available over the weekend. We were very lucky with the weather being fine for the whole weekend and favourable winds on Sunday allowed the boats to use plenty of sail.

As usual the youngsters were transferred to their boats Friday evening and after an early breakfast on Saturday, set out with the tide working their way up through the Swellies before turning to sail down to Abermenai for the evening. The two Hawks were picked up from the Nelson Centre and the youngsters given their first opportunity to sail in the small boats under the guidance of the skipper and helper from Lymm High School. By late afternoon, the safety boats had transferred the youngsters on to the beach at Abermenai so they could stretch their legs and gather driftwood for the usual evening bonfire.

One of the talking points of the weekend was 'The Adventure of John Nightingale's Camera.' When John picked up one of the Hawks at the Nelson Centre, he managed to drop his camera into the water. Some 5 hours later whilst anchored off Abermenai Mike Walker spotted the camera floating by. A quick call to the Emergency Boat and John and his camera were re-united with no sign of any wear and tear following its adventure over 17 miles of fast flowing water. We await the pictures!

The fleet returned to Port Dinorwic with the tide on Sunday, and reached their moorings in time for lunch. The boats were cleaned and equipment stowed, before a final gathering and debrief at Canolfan Dinas.

The sponsorship provided by ICI Watercare together with the good will of the many people involved again provided the opportunity for Visually Impaired youngsters to experience a weekend under sail. In addition to learning how to sail a boat, the youngsters also learn valuable social skills, working together as a team with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Both Mike and I look forward to supporting this event again next year.

Steve Holland, Mike Walker - ICI Chlor-Chemicals

For enquiries contact the Press Office:

Craig Welsh
Telephone: 01928 511528
Fax: 01928 569459
Email: craig.welsh@ineoschlor.com