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Sailing regatta for people with
disabilities
17.06.14
PEOPLE with
disabilities in Inishowen and Derry are getting a
chance to ride the waves this week with a unique
regatta on the Foyle.
The regatta is being hosted in Derry by Foyle
Sailability - a voluntary organisation aimed at
providing people with disabilities an opportunity to
learn how to sail and access water based activities.
It is a cross-border initiative supported by three
local boat clubs - Lough Foyle Yacht Club, Lough
Swilly Yacht Club and Moville Boat Club.
Derry, Donegal and Limavady Councils, Foyle Port,
the Loughs Agency, Derry District Sports Council and
corporate sponsors Cable and Accessories and Fujitsu
are also on board. |
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Foyle Sailability's first Access 303
sailing dinghy which was launched at Foyle Marina,
Derry, in April 2014. |
Foyle Sailability
chairman Cathal MacElhatton said: “This is our
second time running the two-day event. We were
simply astounded by the level of interest and the
success of last year’s event.
"Through a great voluntary effort we managed to
provide 150 people with disabilities access to the
water over a two-day period and using a variety of
vessels. Since then, we have been very fortunate to
have secured our very own specialist Access 303
dinghy thanks to Ocean Youth Trust Ireland, Foyle
Port and the Loughs Agency. We named her ‘Foyle One’
and hope that this will be the first in a fleet of
disabled accessible dinghies.”
The regatta will be held tomorrow and Thursday, June
18 and June 19.
If you would like to take part, call 048 7126 6593
or email
foylesailability@gmail.com for expression of
interest forms. |
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