Frensham Pond Sailability 2007 Highlights

Very successful, enjoyable and busy sixth year - following Frensham Pond Sailability's launch in September 2001
Sailing held every Thursday and Saturday morning from 1 April to end October, plus 3 Wednesday visits by Woodlarks Summer Camp. Sailing ranged from 'therapeutic' cruising to fully competitive racing. Paralympic class 2.4mR mini-keelboat and Access 303 racing continued throughout the winter.
103 active and regular sailing members, approximately 70% attending independently, 30% through organisations. A further 250 disabled youngsters and adults sailed on single visits. Approximately 1500 'sailor sessions' on the water during the year, a 25% increase versus last year. Continuing growth in younger sailors particularly pleasing.
Organisations sailing with FPS during 2007 included Abbey Special School, Stepping Stones School, William Cobbett Junior School Unit, St Dominic's School, Ridgeway School, Gosden House School, Treloar College, Hemihelp, Hydon Hill Cheshire Home, Whitmore Vale Housing Association, Sportability, Disability Initiative, Southampton Sports Association for the Disabled and Woodlarks Summer Camp (up to 50 sailors plus helpers per visit for sailing and on-site BBQ).
An additional Access 3030(W) dinghy added to the FPS fleet, now totalling 23 boats.
Sailing highlights included:
- 5 day RYA Dinghy Sailing Part 1 & 2 course held in October - attended by 7 sailors and 12 helpers
- 8 young sailors presented with RYA Sailability Achievement Certificates
- Greatly increased Access racing interest
  - Thursday afternoons and Saturday morning training sessions
  - FPS sailors raced at 9 venues ranging from Carsington (Derbyshire) in the north-midlands to Ringwood in the south with many winning prixes for finishing in the top three positions in an event
  - FPS won the Ben Ainslie Team Trophy for the best aggregate performance over the season
- FPS Access Open in May, 2.4mR Open in June
Integration into Frensham Pond Sailing Club's mainstream sailing activities continued. 2.4mR mini keelboat racing, with a mixture of able-bodied and disabled helms, now formally part of the Club's racing programme on Saturday afternoons throughout the year. Two Access dinghies and two 2.4mR teams also sailed in the club's annual 10 Hour Race in June.
New jetty (cost £13,000) completed in July - significantly increases berthing capacity for Sailability Access and 2.4mR fleet.
Plans well advanced for a new Sailability 'Amenity' hut to be in place for the start of the 2008 sailing season - for use as a dressing, training and shelter area.
Socially very active year - Supper dance (January), FPS 'Fitting Out' supper (March), BBQ evening (August) and 'Laying Up' Supper (November)
Promotional activitis included talks to local organisations, local newspaper articles, stand at Rotary Clubs 'Kids Day Out' event. Official visit by Mayor and Mayoress of Waverley Borough Council in July
Band of enthusiastic and dedicated helpers continues to grow (now totalling over 70) but more still needed! The continued involvement in 2007 of a number of the Club's junior and youth sailors was particularly pleasing.

Plans for 2008: More of the above!! New sailing season starting Thursday 3rd April.

Frensham Pond Sailability 2007 Highlights

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