Frensham Pond Sailability (FPS) 2009 Highlights

Frensham Pond Sailability's eight year since 'launch' in September 2001
Frensham Pond Sailing Club selected as the 'RYA 2009 Club of the Year'. FPS achievements since 2001 recognised as a major factor in the award
Sailing held every Thursday and Saturday morning from beginning of April to end October, plus 2 Wednesday visits by Woodlarks Summer Camp. Sailing ranged from 'therapeutic' cruising to fully competitive racing. Paralympic class 2.4mR racing continued through the 2008-09 winter months.
120 regular sailing members (increase of 12% vs. 2008); 68% attending independently, 32% through organisations. A further 220 disabled youngsters and adults sailed on single visits. Approximately 1720 'sailor sessions' on the water during the year (increase of 18% vs. 2008).
Organisations sailing with FPS during 2009 included Abbey Special School, Stepping Stones School, Ridgeway School, Treloar College, William Cobbett Junior School Unit, Disability Challengers, Disability Initiative, Hydon Hill Cheshire Home, Whitmore Vale Housing Association, Robinia Centre, Sportability, 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 encouraged and recognised at all levels, highlights included:
- 8 young sailors presented with RYA Sailability Achievement Certificates
- Young sailor (under 18) sessions up 31% versus previous year
- Continued development of racing interests & skills, regular Thursday race training sessions (theory and on-water)
- FPS 2.4mR Open & Access Open meetings held in June & September respectively
- FPS Access sailors and 2.4mR sailors raced at 12 venues ranging from Nottingham and Carsington in the north-midlands to Ringwood and Weymouth in the south, and participated in National and European Championships in the UK and France. We even had a representative sailing an Access dinghy in the World masters Games in Sydney, Australia. Many individual honours were gained.
- FPS won, for the third year in succession, the RYA Sailability Ben Ainslie National Access Team Trophy for the best aggregate performance over the season.
Integration into Frensham Pond Sailing Club's mainstream sailing activities continued. 2.4mR mini keelboat racing, sailed by able-bodied and disabled helms, now formally part of the Club's racing programme on Saturday afternoons throughout the year. Access dinghies and 2.4mR teams also sailed in the club's annual 10 Hour Race in June and Champion Club Regatta in September.
FPS fleet now totals 24 boats. Two new Access 2.3 dinghies purchased in 2009 to replace older boats as part of the FPS boat replacement policy. Total cost £5,800 funded by generous donations from the Lions Club of Fleet and staff of Coutts Bank, Guildford.
Socially very active year - Supper dance (January), FPS 'Fitting Out' supper (March), BBQ evening (August) and 'Laying Up' Supper (October)
FPS quarterly Newsletter 'Breaking Wind' launched in Spring 2009. Three editions produced during year. Very well received within FPS and further afield.
Band of enthusiastic and dedicated helpers continues to grow (now totalling over 80) but more still needed!
More information can be found on www.frenshampondsailability.org.uk
Our very considerable thanks to our very generous supporters, donors and helpers

Plans for 2010: More of the above!! New sailing season starting Thursday 1st April 2010.

Frensham Pond Sailability (FPS) 2009 Highlights

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