Anne from Sailability at the club, organised an informative and helpful afternoon for all those interested in helping disabled sailors at the club. Nearly 20 members attended, both instructors and volunteers, keen to help and understand the boats.

Firstly Steve Lowe took us through rigging a 303, with help from Debs and Joe with their experience. The key takeaway was having the weighted daggerboard down at all times when on the water and securely locked in. There were many tips on rigging the boats. Although relatively simple there are one or two things which needed to be demonstrated.

After that there was the opportunity to sail the boats. Many of the instructors were trying them out for the first time. The steering is unusual as it is the reverse of a normal dinghy. However, most of the attendees really enjoyed their pootle around the bay.

Then one of the cobles – recently restored by Paintcraft, and Ken Twemlow, Nicki Theokritoff and Peter Benson – was taken out. The Commodore was enjoying helming amongst others.

After that it was tea and – or a beer – in the clubhouse.

We are now looking for anyone available to help at the HANSA open on Wednesday 17 May. There will be a lot to do but it will an enjoyable day. Please contact sailability@ncsc.org.uk