Welcome,my name is Robert Thurlow.

I was inspired to set up this site as an adjunct and to complement Medway Sailability Club's main site by the use of the sitebuilder setup as a means of promoting community groups.

I'm the Bosun for the Medway Sailabilty Club but don't let that put you off! I am a disabled sailor I have slight mobility problems similar

in some respects to multiple schlerosis due to a brain trauma.

I got to know about the club through Foresight which is a blind user group I build and repair computers for some of their members as a hobby.

I was originally involved with the club as a volunteer as I came from an engineering background and applied my skills in the maintainence of Able Spirit which is the clubs boat.
 About two years ago I attended a AGM and was "pressganged" as the Bosun. Well as they say in for a penny or a pound (or if you're pressed the Queens shilling!). I have taken to the post with alacrity.    

    As a sailor I'm not in the same class as Stephen Rolf or Frank

Thompson (Who compete in events with the British Blind Sail Association) but I'm willing to learn.

The club's boat is called ABLE SPIRIT. Able is a Hawk 20 day sailer with a drop keel which makes her ideally suited to sailing on the tidal Medway with its numerous shallow creeks and inlets. She is ideal for disabled sailors.

The Hawk 20 was originally commissioned by disabled MP and sailor Mr Christopher Hawkins and is constructed by Reid Marine.

The Hawk 20 is also a bird of prey and somtimes she sails in anger. We also compete in races on the Medway and further afeild. An annual event is the Medway Marathon (The Sailability Sheild) which our club has won on numerous occasions.
I have competed on two occasions and crewed with Ian Reece (Skipper and race tactician member of Hoo Ness Yacht Club), Stephen Rolf (1st Mate and visually impaired member of Upnor Sailing Club, and my mentor) and the inimitable Frank Thompson (visually impaired). Disabled crew must helm on the race so we take turns. Our main challenger in recent years and an admirableadversary is DILLY owned by Claire Gray of Tideway Sailability, based at Surrey Docks in London.

So this gives you a perspective of disabled sailing.

However, our group needs volunteers regardless of experience or ability to keep us afloat. There is a link provided to contact Medway Sailability Club.

Please come and join us?

"Boats" Bob

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