Inclusion

The finish line is in sight for the most remarkable campaign in sailing, namely getting our sport back on to the roster for the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games. If that happens, and I sincerely believe we are in with a very strong shout, it will be the biggest shot in the arm for our sport in decades. Suddenly clubs will become alive with para sailors wanting to give it a shot, facilities will need to be upgraded, equipment will need to be bought, and coaches will need to upskill. But the results will be extraordinary and all around the world, inclusive sailing will kick-start our sport like never before. It is the fight of our lives. Not a time to take the foot off the gas. Rule 69 Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. I have to say that para sailing is high on my mind at the moment with my involvement in the development of a Youth Programme at East Cowes Sailing Club. We've been approached by a number of charitable and community organisations who want to get children with disabilities on the water, and we can do it if we plan properly. A crane is becoming the highest priority - and dredging, blooming money-for-old-rope dredging - is a major consideration. We'll get there. I know we will, and when I see an RS Venture Connect setting off from the clubhouse with a disabled athlete onboard, I'll be proud as punch. Win a gold, and I'm done…genuinely. Spending time this summer with Dani Anglada Pich, the blind sailor from Catalonia who we helped to sail single-handed around the Isle of Wight last year, was a pleasure. Dani opened our Youth Programme that has been named after him, and his sights are firmly set on the World Sailing Inclusion Championships in Portimao, Portugal at the beginning of October. Myself, and the ace photographer Tim Jeffreys, are going to support him and will be doing our bit to raise the profile as much as we can. It's an incredible championship, no question, and I'm informed by World Sailing that they will have no less than 42 countries represented. That's huge when you consider a sport like Para Dressage, a staple of the Paralympics, only had 31 countries represented this year at their World Championships. Sailing is doing outstanding things. One athlete that I was looking forward to following in Portimao was Murray MacDonald who is the reigning Intellectual Impairment (ILCA 6) World Champion, having won in Oman last year. Murray, you will remember, also runs Autism on the Water and he's had a tough year with the charity's Impala losing its rig in a race off Scotland. To compound things, Murray's backer has pulled out at the 11th hour leaving him scrambling to raise the funds to get to Portugal for the championships. It's a paltry sum of £2226 made up of Flights - £856, Accommodation - £660, and Entry fee - £690. Surely, we as a community can raise that and let him go? Email me onmagnuswheatley@yahoo.co.ukif you can help and I'll connect you with an athlete just trying to do his very best. I know some who read this who have spent that on lunch. Let's get it done. Email me. On the fund-raising front, I have good news to report in a very successful fund raise for Jaz Turner who has turned her attentions to wing foiling. It's so impressive to see what Jaz is doing now that she has sold her Round Britain conquering 'Fear' and is attempting something that I absolutely take my hat off to. Jaz has, I believe, taken flight albeit briefly as she gets to grips with being seated on a board and controlling the wing but big steps are being taken on a daily basis. She's a gutsy lady and I was delighted to personally support her as well as a number of generous individuals who all chipped in to get her the equipment she needs. That's the sailing community in a nutshell and I was bowled over by the support - as was Jaz. Any budding sailor with international ambitions knows how hard the money-raising game is. It's a tough road with a lot of rejection, closed doors, no replies, and cold shoulders. It shouldn't be that way. Supporting budding athletes, be that with time or cold hard cash, is a rewarding experience. Seeing someone you've invested in - even if that's $100 or £1000 gives you an interest that pays you dividends in the soul. You're doing the right thing and it's vital that we all do it. All of us had a leg into sailing, some more than others, and giving back to the sport that gave us so much is the right thing to do. Please help if you can. Portimao is going to be special. It could be extra special if we can get Murray on the start line. Magnus Wheatley Rule 69 Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.