Disabled Ribbing

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by PizzaPeetso

Hey Bruce,
Good on you. Give it a try - I'm sure your mate would enjoy it (who wouldn't ).
Have a look at this site www.backuptrust.org.uk. It might give you some ideas.
Its an organisation for people who are paralysed through spinal cord injury and want to get some life back into their lives. Cheers
Peetso

I was a bouncer at the 1990 BackUp ball in Val D'Isere - we all paid to get in - even the band! The people involved then were a great bunch, and you should see what speeds some of the skiers get up to - one guy said to me - what's the worst that can happen - break a leg? Couldn't help but laugh at that!

[DM]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

Is there any organisation which does this professionally.

We've looked at this in some detail at PPT and carried out risk assessments etc. Getting disabled people into the boats and operating them safely is not an insurmountable problem with the right equipment, procedures and staff with an understanding of disability issues. The problem for any school offering this service is the range of disabilties that has to be catered for.

We recently took a gutsy young lady with only one arm through to level 2. She loved the nickname of Nelson that we gave her although this was shortened to Nellie. She excelled at driving the 4.2m 40hp tiller steered boat we use as a runabout as well as the bigger ribs.

It's a privilege to go boating with people like this.

DM

[philip]

Bruce,

Good to hear your new RIB is imminent - very excited for you.

I have just been browsing the RYA website for VHF training and noticed an item about Sailablilty and the Ginns farm clubhouse (Beaulieu River) of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club. Perhaps it would be worth contacting them to see if you could make use of their facilities

http://www.rya.org.uk/Sailability/Ne...tentID=3527689

Cheers

Phil

[The Jackeens]

Originally Posted by davidmanning

It's a privilege to go boating with people like this.

DM

Well said.

It's brill to get so many instructors coming forward with advice on this topic. Just goes to show how many helpful peeps are out there.

missus

[Colin F]

if any instructors would like my input on this, please feel free to drop me a pm. I currently dive, wakeboard, snow ski and are learning to ride an air chair at present. I have access to a lot of disability clubs/organisations including back-up, sia, british wheelchair sports federation, and many more (mostly through my previous job). I have also been involved with boats for about 14years, of which i have been in a chair for the last 12yrs. I also water ski'd with the gb team (although never quite got in) a while back. there is lots of interest from disabled people in these types of sports, which are becoming more accessible over time.

if anyone would like any info, i'd be happy to help........no charge either

regards

colin

[The Jackeens]

missus