DOSC Sailability

The worldwide Sailability program has activities that cover a broad spectrum, ranging from recreation, therapeutic and competitive activities, from grass-root entry level through to elite World Championships and Paralympic training.

At DOSC Sailability, we offer a structured program that includes a rotation of activities that includes sailing theory, wind awareness, knot tying, tacking skills, canoeing and of course, learning how to sail!

On sailing days, at approximately 8.30am, volunteers and sailing instructors arrive at the sailing club. After registering and signing onto relevant tasks, the team springs into action to rig boats, prepare areas for sailing and ensure drinking water and other necessary safety items are in place.

Once the Access Dinghies are rigged, they are moved and moored at the pontoon in preparation for the students.

A weekly rotation of schools on the various boats ensures that students get sailing experience in the Access Dinghies for half a session one week and a sailing session in a Bahia or Laser the following week. 

Students arrive at 10.00am, where they register and change in preparation for sailing.

The safety boat crews prepare their RIB's and move into position in preparation for the Access Dinghies and Bahia to set sail.

For the students sailing in the Access Dinghies and Bahia or Laser, they meet their allocated Assistant Sailing Instructor and are then escorted down the pontoon and assisted (where necessary) into the boats for their sail of the day.

The Bahia and Laser are rigged with the help of second group of students, who then partake in a rotation of sailing and land based activities. The RYA sailing instructors crew the rigged Bahia and Laser, then sail across to the pontoon to wait for their 'crew'.

Once teams have been organised for those sailing in the Bahia and Laser, the first rotation of students meet the Sailing Instructor and are assisted (where necessary) into the boat.

Land based activities occur in rotation, where students cover knot tying, learning the parts of the boat, wind awareness, how to rig a sail and the basics of tacking.

We also offer kayaking to students, which is included in the land based tacking schedule.

The aim is to ensure that all students cover each area on land and get equal time sailing.

At the end of the day's sailing, students disembark at the pontoon area, where they are then escorted back to the main sailing area to discuss their sailing experience with fellow students and their Assistant Instructors. All boats are then taken back to the slip area, where students are encouraged to help de-rig the boats. Life vests are rinsed off and hung to dry and all items returned to the store.

The students then change back into dry clothes and after a quick goodbye, head back to school after a successful morning of learning, sailing and fun.

During sessions, students are assessed for their Certificates of Achievement and tasks that are achieved in a consistent manner are marked off their RYA cards.

For more information regarding the days' activities please Contact Us for further information.