Frensham Pond Sailability (FPS) 2010 Highlights

Frensham Pond Sailability's ninth year since 'launch' in September 2001
Sailing as usual every Thursday and Saturday morning from beginning of April to end October, ranging from 'therapeutic' cruising to fully competitive racing. Paralympic class 2.4mR racing continued through the winter months.
122 regular sailing members in 2010, 66% attending independently, 34% through organisations. A further 100+ disabled youngsters and adults sailed on single visits. Approximately 1500 'sailor sessions' on the water during the year.
Organisations sailing with FPS included Abbey Special School, Stepping Stones School, Ridgeway School, Treloar College, Disability Challengers, Disability Initiative, Hydon Hill Cheshire Home, Whitmore Vale Housing Association, Springboard Project, Mencap, Southampton Sports Association for the Disabled and Woodlarks Summer Camp.
Sailing achievements continue to be encouraged and recognised at all levels:
- First Sailability sailor to gain RYA Assistant Instructor qualification
- High level of participation by students from special schools maintained
- Eight young sailors presented with RYA Sailability Achievement Certificates
- Continued development of racing interests & skills, regular Thursday race training
- FPS Access and 2.4mR Open meetings held in April & May respectively
- FPS Access sailors raced at 10 venues across the country. 9 FPS sailors participated in the Access World Championships, held at Rutland SC in JUne, with a silver medal gained in the 2.3 class. FPS sailors won the individual Acess 2.3 and 303 (solo) National Championships held in Derbyshire in September.
- For an unprecedented fourth year in succession, FPS retained the RYA Sailability Ben Ainslie National Access Team Trophy for the best aggregate performance over the season. The FPS winning team this year was all-female!!
- 3 FPS sailors competed in the 2.4mR World Championships in Holland
Integration into Frensham Pond Sailing Club's mainstream sailing activities continues successfully. 2.4mR mini keelboat racing, sailed by disabled and able-bodied 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.
Investment in the FPS fleet continued, now totalling 26 boats. Three boats purchased in 2010 at a total cost of £13k. These included a new Access 303 dinghy and second-hand Laser Stratos keelboat acquired in late summer, to provide a more stable cruising boat in stronger wind conditions than the existing Wayfarer fleet..
Another very active year socially - Supper dance (January), FPS 'Fitting Out' supper (March), BBQ evening (end July) and 'Laying Up' Supper (end October)
Further quarterly editions of the FPS Newsletter 'Breaking Wind' produced. 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

Plans for 2010: New sailing season starts on Saturday 2nd April 2011.

2011 will be FPS's 10th Anniversary year - celebratory event planned for end July 2011

A big thank you to everyone for supporting Frensham Pond Sailability during 2010!!

Frensham Pond Sailability (FPS) 2010 Highlights

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