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Honorary President- DartSailability
Potted history of Bob Scull
Retired 1996
Moved to Kingswear to relax, fly fish and sail.
Met a like minded neighbour and decided to set up a sailability group.
Found lots of other volunteers prepared to work their socks off just for the fun of it.
Can't remember what a fishing rod looks like.
Don't have time to go sailing - Would like to retire! |
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TERRY
I began sailing at the age of 17, in 1952 and had my first boat soon after. Eventually when I was married I taught my two children to sail however I have never managed to get my wife to enjoy being on the water! I first became involved with Sailability at Grafham Water in Huntingdon, near to where we lived for 30 years. Grafham had six Challengers and these fast trimarans were ideally suited to this very large reservoir. On retiring to Devon , I was introduced to John Nichols, one of the founder members of Dart Sailability, who in turn introduced me to the group in 1997. I was delighted to have the opportunity to continue with a Sailability group and especially as it meant sailing in such a wonderful location.
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MIKE DURSTON
In May 1999, our very athletic Son, aged 31, suddenly, as a result of a tragic diving accident, was permanently paralysed. i.e. a tetraplegic. We agonised how this hyperactive person would ever survive life in a wheelchair not even able to use his hands.
We heard about Sailability and volunteered more as a therapy. It gave us encouragement to see the enjoyment the disabled sailors were experiencing.
Our son came to stay about 18 months after his accident (he lives in the Cotswolds with wife & child). We took him to Dart Sailability - the gallant volunteers worked for an hour to get him sailing. Since then he has sailed regularly at Blackfriars Y.C. Sailability near Cirencester.
Thanks to Dart Sailability both on David's behalf and ours for making us realise their is a life after paralysis. |
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Mark Farries
One September I sailed from the River Exe to Noss Marina to have my boat
lifted out by the Marina and noticed the Sailability fleet alongside the
pontoon. I have been a keen sailor of 30 years and now I have a bit more
time I was keen to get involved. I then read one of Bruce's notices about
collecting boat bits in the changing room and so contacted Bob. A few
Tuesday mornings were spent helping with repairs in the winter and in the
summer I started helping with sailing instruction. Many years ago I had
qualified as a sailing instructor so that I could take scouts out on
Southampton Water. The RYA renewed my instructor qualification and I drove
up to Plas Menai in North Wales to qualify as a senior instructor. This was
quite challenging because it involved capsizing performance sailing dinghies
in November. Dart Sailability is great fun for all who get involved and
there is nothing better than getting out on the water away from the office. |
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Bruce Symes
Have had several years' good fun and made many friends thro my involvement with Sailability. I am now on the border line between being a helper and being a customer! If you have a few hours to spare and like "mucking about on the water" this is for you. |
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Nick Teage
Redundancy gave me the opportunity to come back to the area after over thirty years in Norfolk . Volunteering at Sailability gives me the excuse to get on (sometimes in) the river at least once a week with the added bonus of making some good friends. It is great to share a love of boats and the water with others. I don't know a better way of getting cold and wet in such good company. I am enjoying the opportunities that Sailability gives to learn (and get accreditation for) sailing, power boat handling and instructing. I can heartily recommend it to any potential sailor or volunteer. |
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Terri and Maddie Harding
About 3 years ago we moved to Brixham from Bristol , and after a while Derek
suggested it was a good idea to buy a boat, but only if we could find a way
of getting Maddie on to it, which is no mean feat as she can't sit by
herself and is totally wheelchair bound. Anyway, after a lot of searching on
the internet for a suitable and safe seat, we happened across the RYA and
the link to Sailability, which in turn put us in touch with Bob. I phoned
him (or emailed him, long time ago so I can't remember) he phoned back
inviting us down to look at a seat which had been left behind by a past
sailor. Unfortunately it wasn't any good for Maddie, but Bob invited Maddie
out on the NAB and she thoroughly enjoyed her jaunt up the Dart. I asked
Maddie if she wanted to go regularly and she let me know that she did, and
the rest as they say is history, weather depending each Saturday during the
sailing season we're there.
Oh, and we did eventually find a suitable seat, cost an arm and a leg, but
at least we can get Maddie out on our RIB which she also loves. |
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Paul Burns.
I have been a member of Dart sail ability ever since it first stated and have really enjoyed being on the water. I have gained a lot more confidence and have met a lot of dedicated people who really enjoy helping us to gain more confidence and fun. I am sure boat owners who see us are well impressed and really admire us all at sail ability. |
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Kirsty Stewart
Hi, I'm Kirsty Stewart, I'm 24yrs old and I have lived all my life in Brixham, Devon . As a young, fit active youngster I learnt to sail, aged ten, in the junior section of Brixham Sailing Club. I failed to progress there because I became very ill. All my energy was taken up with schoolwork.
At the age of sixteen, I became traumatically paralyzed from the waist down due to the treatment I had undergone six years previously.
My world came to a standstill. My brother and parents were all keen on water sports but it was my OT who suggested I tried Dart Sailability. It took a lot of courage the first week for me to get back into a boat with an instructor. I had to be hoisted into the Access Dingy (not very dignified, but hey, the freedom is worth it)
Soon after that I was sailing solo, I realised I could still do it. My vision is not good so I have to be warned about even large hazards on the river, and I have been known to fit whilst on the water, but thanks to all the volunteers, most Tuesdays and Saturdays you will find me in a sailing boat on the river. |
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David Edey
Introduced to Dart S by Bruce Symes, about 5 years ago. Initially, I used to help out a lot with the sailing instructing and the water based activities and maintenance. My role has now evolved with Bruce to more fundraising activities, primarily the collection and selling of boat jumble. We do 2 boat jumbles a year and continually sell whatever we can get, including scavenging out of skips!! With a young family, I don't have the time to help on the water at the moment but am active behind the scenes so to speak. |
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