Sailability Round Up

from Hebe Jebes Jan/Feb 2022

24 Hours Charity Dinghy Race thank-you notes

Sailability Round Up November 2021 By Kay Rawbone

I can’t believe where the year has gone, and I would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of Sailability Hong Kong Limited to Hebe Haven Yacht Club and its members for the home provided to us in Pak Sha Wan, which continues to provide much-needed respite and accessible sailing to our sailors.

Our sailing programmes have provided respite and enjoyment for those who live alone and the feeling of isolation that brings. Moreover, they bring integration within our community for those who don’t have the opportunity or accessibility to enjoy inclusive watersports, increased communication skills when meeting new friends, mental wellness as we take to the lovely waters surrounding us in Sai Kung whilst learning a new skill. They also allow participants to enjoy much needed physical activity and gain higher self-esteem and confidence, during the challenging time we are all living through right now.

October and November 2021 activities

Jockey Club Sarah Roe School enjoyed a 12-week programme with 18 students joining on Tuesdays. This is their 10th year of sailing with us.

The Disabled Women’s Association enjoyed three days of sailing sponsored by the American Women’s Association of Hong Kong (AWA). Ladies from STEP Association joined for three days in December, again sponsored by the AWA.

Scallywag Foundation scheme provides sailing courses for two youth groups from Christian Action who have graduated and are looking forward to returning for their HKSF Levels 1 & 2 and Ebenezer School for the Blind, who have completed two sailing sessions so far.

TREATS joined their annual six-week sailing programme, culminating in an Inclusive Sailing Day for 14 youth sailors with disability sailing with a buddy. Sailor Ben was the winner this year of their fun race.

Blind Darkness Fighters had a Taster Day accompanied on the water for their first sail by our Scout Leader volunteers. This group will be joining more in 2022 as they enjoyed the experience so much.

Haven of Hope Relive Project for people in rehabilitation recovering from strokes. Many had not undertaken any outdoor activity since their illness and really enjoyed their day on the water.

光陰似箭，轉眼間一年又過去了。我謹此代表航能香港，向白沙灣遊艇會及其會員的支持表示由衷的感謝，讓我們的水手得以享用資源，讓更多人認識帆船運動。

透過航能香港的活動，不少獨居人士從中獲得滿足感；那些缺乏資源參與水上運動的人，也從航能香港的活動中慢慢融入社區，還能結識新朋友的同時提高溝通技巧；參加者不斷學習新技能時，同時也在增強心理健康。在這個充滿挑戰的時期，我們的活動能幫助參與者增強自信心。

2021年10月至11月的活動一覽：

賽馬會善樂學校逢週二舉辦航行課程，為期12週，共有18名學生參加。這是他們參與航能香港活動的第10個年頭。

香港女障協進會參加了由美國婦女會贊助為期三天的帆船活動。自強協會的成員亦在12 月參加了該項活動。

新鴻基Scallywag計劃資助基督教勵行會轄下兩個青年團體，讓他們參加帆船課程裝備自己，為重返香港帆船運動總會的一級及二級比賽做準備。目前，心光盲人院暨學校的學員已完成兩期帆船課程。

「親切」參加了一年一度為期六週的帆船活動，14名傷健青年水手各攜一名同伴參加，最後還舉辦了「多元及包容航行日」呼應活動宗旨。這一年度的勝出者是Ben。

在義工童軍領袖的陪同下，黑武士失明人體育會的成員第一次嘗試航行。預計在內年將有更多人參加，往年參加者都表示十分享受這類活動。

與基督教靈實協會合作的航行活動，為中風康復患者提供一日水上活動。許多人在生病後沒有參加任何戶外活動，透過是次活動，他們在水上度過一日美好的時光。

週六帆船活動定期舉行，繼續提供帆船訓練及康樂活動。

傷健水手每週兩次的航行培訓定期舉行，部份參加 Hansa 303賽事的選手開始裝備自己，有意挑戰 2.4mR 賽事。

Saturday Sailing continues to provide sail training and recreation on a weekly basis.

Para Sailors Training – twice weekly training continues and is now incorporating new sailors aspiring to progress from Hansa 303s to 2.4mR sailing.

Senior Sailing Programme funded by the Hong Kong Club Foundation. Training of Senior Sailor volunteers now completed with a core group of 20+ retained and supporting programmes on a regular basis. This includes supporting grass roots seniors sailing for the first time and many of our other programmes. In addition, we have found a maintenance team from this core group which is a real find for the charity.

24hr Dinghy Race – 14 boats entered the race with one of our renovated Enterprises participating for the first time. She managed a few of laps with a crew of ASD sailors with volunteer Ryan at the helm. Great job and it was good to see her on the water. Other boats were sailed by Saturday Sailors, JCSRS, TREATS with sailors from Tsui Ting Tong School, Caritas Lok Yi School, Morning Hope School, EM youth from our Scallywag Foundation Program, Golden Age Sailors – well done and thank you for the money raised for the race, and last but not least our Para Sailors and friends. A great time was had by everyone at a very well organized event.

The 3rd Race Series of the Mike Rawbone Challenge Cup commenced on 21st November. Watch this space for the winners in the next edition!

Visit to HHYC by Rabi Yim, Chairperson of Direction Association for the Handicapped making a video for Sai Kung District Council (copy for the club too) about the accessibility at HHYC for sports. Great campaigner for accessibility in HK and great promotion for the club.

Launch of our new T-shirts in memory of Mike Rawbone. Same colour – new design HK$150 Sizes: S,M,L,XL & XXL

香港會基金資助的長者航行課程的參加者已完成培訓，課程定期舉辦20多個活動以維繫連結。這是基層長者第一次參與該項課程，也是他們第一次接觸航海活動。此外，我們還在該課程的參加者中組成帆船維修隊伍，實屬驚喜。

不久前的24小時慈善小艇賽，共 14艘船參與，其中一艘便是我們的 Enterprises，這是它第一次下水。船隻由義工Ryan掌舵，與一群患有自閉症水手一同參與賽事。其他隊伍則有週六航行水手、賽馬會善樂學校、東華三院徐展堂學校、明愛樂義學校、匡智晨輝學校，新鴻基Scallywag基金和Golden Age Sailors。謝謝上述隊伍的參與，為活動籌募善款，最後也感謝傷健水手和大家的支持，當天每個人都玩得很開心。

Mike Rawbone 挑戰杯的第三場系列賽於 11 月 21 日舉行，獲獎者名單請留意下期會刊。

路向四肢傷殘人士協會主席嚴楚碧女士早前到訪白沙灣遊艇會，為西貢區議會製作有關傷健人士無障礙設施的短片，進一步推廣白沙灣遊艇會活動及地區的無障礙設施。

推出紀念Mike Rawbone的T恤，顏色與以往一樣，全新設計。售價港幣150，尺寸包括S、M、L、XL及XXL。