Frensham Pond Sailability (FPS) 2008 Highlights

Frensham Pond Sailability's seventh year since 'launch' in September 2001 - very successful, busy and enjoyable!
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 through the 2007-08 winter months.
98 active and regular sailing members, 66% attending independently, 34% through organisations. A further 155 disabled youngsters and adults sailed on single visits. Approximately 1460 'sailor sessions' on the water during the year.
Organisations sailing with FPS during 2008 included Abbey Special School, Stepping Stones School, Ridgeway School, Treloar College, William Cobbett Junior School Unit, Hydon Hill Cheshire Home, Whitmore Vale Housing Association, Sportability, Disability Initiative, Mencap Basingstoke, Southampton Sports Association for the Disabled and Woodlarks Summer Camp (up to 50 sailors plus helpers per visit for sailing and on-site BBQ).
Sailing achievements encourage and recognised at all levels, highlights included:
- 15 young sailors presented with RYA Sailability Achievement Certificates
- Continued development of racing interests & skills
  - Regular Thursday afternoons training sessions
  - FPS 2.4mR Open & Access Open meetings held in June & September respectively
  - FPS Access sailors raced at 12 venues ranging from Nottingham and Carsington in the north-midlands to Ringwood in the south, and in France, with many winning prizes for finishing in the top three positions in an event.
  - FPS retained the RYA Sailability Ben Ainslie National Access Team Trophy for the best aggregate performance over the season.
  - Access racing team voted Runner-Up Surrey Sports Team of the Year in Surrey 2008 Sports Awards.
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.
Significant investment in new facilities and equipment in a high expenditure year (+£33,000):
- Sailability Pavilion opened in July be Jeremy Hunt MP; provides a dressing, training and shelter facility for sailors and helpers. Cost £13,300.
- Additional Access 303 (the 'Thomas Coutts'), cost £3,800, added to the Sailability fleet, now totalling 24 boats.
- Replacement engine for Sailability safety boat ('Lionheart'). Cost £3,200.
Socially very active year - Supper dance (January), FPS 'Fitting Out' supper (March), BBQ evening (August) and 'Laying Up' Supper (October)
Promotional activitis included talks to local organisations, local newspaper articles, official visit by Mayor of Farnham Town Council in September.
Band of enthusiastic and dedicated helpers continues to grow (now totalling over 70) but more still needed!
Our very considerable thanks to our very generous supporters, donors and helpers

Plans for 2008: More of the above!! New sailing season starting Thursday 2rd April.

Frensham Pond Sailability (FPS) 2008 Highlights

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