Sailability

Meet Kelvin!

He is very personable and very aware of his surroundings he has always loved the water and water sports. Before his accident at age 19 Kelvin surfed and had a number of boats. However, Kelvin can no longer move his arms or legs and cannot speak. Kelvin arrives to Sailability on his mobile bed with his carer. Getting out on the water is one of his highlights each week.

The volunteers at Sailability love working with people like Kelvin. Sailability offers opportunities for all people with disabilities, regardless of their level of abilities, skills or personal circumstances. To be able to spend time by the water and interacting with people most of us do not normally see in our normal social circle is actually a real privilege. I myself have learnt so much about empathy, courage and appreciating how precious life and the quality of life is.

These pictures illustrate how important teamwork is in manoeuvring our clients, who are wheelchair bound, from their mobility device and into a boat. Volunteers use the specially installed winches and hoists along with slings that are positioned under our client’s bodies to swing them safely into their waiting boat.

Barbie is Kelvin’s favourite Skipper. She definitely has a soft spot for him! She is always quick with a (sometimes unrepeatable!) joke and likes to take the boat just a little bit faster when she can see that it will make our client’s day. Even though Kelvin cannot speak, he communicates by his expressions letting us know the joy he gets when out on the water.

As we write this Sailability has closed for the season – quite timely as we would have shut down due to Covid anyway being such a high-risk group. The 2019/2020 season was the best season we have had in a while with a combination of great weather, no pesky virus, wonderful volunteers (thank you everyone) and of course our sponsors. We would like to thank Healthways, Volunteering WA for their financial support and our Club Bosuns – Robbie and Lachie we appreciate their proactive and practical support of Sailability.

Volunteers Always Needed! Sailability at of South of Perth Yacht Club takes place Wednesday mornings. We sail during the Summer Sailing Season – October to April floating around the river in our six 3.03 dinghies, an Etchel, three Red Witches and cruise with two power boats each week. We always need volunteers – even if you may only be available when we are short of Vollies (thanks Colin!) or can help get participants from boats and pack away before the afternoon sail (thanks Adrian!). Can you spare a few hours for this very worthwhile initiative of the Rotary Club of Melville and South of Perth Yacht Club? Enthusiasm and ability to get stuck in are the foremost qualifications we need! Sailing and boating skills are required for ‘On-Water’ activities. On-Shore roles can be fulfilled by willing volunteers. Be part of the team which promotes the joy of sailing as a recreation to people with disabilities. Call Liz Warman on 0419 949 006 or Mark Popham 0410 474 847 or email sailabilitysopyc@gmail.com or just pop down and have a sticky beak one Wednesday! By Carol Harper and Liz Warman

Sadly, before Christmas we lost one of our regular participants – Brian Kowald. His Mum asked that this message be communicated to all.

To everyone at Sailability it’s Maree Kowald – Brian’s mum, with a quote from Brian’s funeral service: “We’d like to thank all those who supported Brian over the years. There have been so many wonderful people. And by this measure, we can say that Brian has been truly blessed.’ We paid particular tribute to a couple of organisations including Sailability.

I’d like to thank you all for all you did for Brian.

You offered him an opportunity to express his love of water and the outdoors.

It’s my faith in Jesus that’s carried me through mourning, but I have also found comfort in knowing that despite such severe disability there were people like yourselves in his life. I’ll be forever grateful. Again – Thank you everyone. We wish you all the best. God bless.”