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Julia said
– ‘I embarked on my first sailing experience in a windy, cold April,
2003, following a childhood of Arthur Ransome novels and many blustery
wanderings along windswept Suffolk shorelines.
I had
always been fascinated with the water and had a burning desire to experience the
freedom, adventure and challenge of wind and water. The thrill would strike,
whether watching or reading about Yacht races of the world, or single-handed
dinghy sailing, pottering about quieter waters, escaping the stresses of life,
exposed to the elements. So taking these longings to sail in hand, I booked
myself on a ‘learn to sail’ course. Not a particularly romantic setting but my
best alternative and the largest local stretch of water, Oxford Sailing Club,
Oxford. This was also the course, where I met Ruth Marrison for the first
time. Ruth was a shy young person battling to ensure her disabilities did not
interfere with her desire to sail. Quietly determined, Ruth used every spare
moment out on the water, impressing other novices, such as myself, with her
‘rudderless sailing’ and seemingly effortless ability to ‘come along side’!
The sailing course was a wonderful
and exhilarating experience. Force 6 winds offered a wet and cold exposure to
sailing and occasionally scared the hell out of me. However, the excellent
coaching skills enabled technique and understanding to bolster my rather naive
enthusiasm. I knew I had the bug.
Since this time the pleasure of
sailing has grown stronger, learning to sail has been a skill for life and one
of the most enriching opportunities I have encountered. Having learned to sail
in Laser Pico’s, Wayfarer’s and RS Visions, I have since helmed from Cowes to
Southampton in a formula 28 and crewed on a 44ft racing yacht in the Roker
Regatta, Sunderland. While still many moons away from calling myself even
vaguely proficient, sailing has offered me confidence, fun, escapism, new
friends and physical fitness.
After
spending time watching the racing at Cowes last year, I was delighted when Ruth
asked me if I would race with her at Cowes 2006. The opportunity of racing at
Cowes is an ambition I have often dreamed of fulfilling. It has been exciting
understanding the detail and work that goes into the organization to participate
and afford to race in an event such as Cowes week. I am both excited with
anticipation and trepidation about my personal ability to support Ruth and
challenge my own skills in this race.’
Spinlock said - Spinlock are pleased to announce they
will be supporting Ruth Marrison in her 2006 sailing campaign.
Following their success in Cowes Week 2005 it is hoped that
Ruth and her crew will continue to promote deaf awareness through sailing and
encourage more deaf people to undertake sports such as sailing. Ruth has shown
that despite being profoundly deaf you can still compete at the highest level in
sport. Through her determination and hard work, Ruth has secured the support
necessary to race in at several regattas this year and Spinlock wish her and the
team every success.
The National Deaf Children’s Society said
- "The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) is pleased to sponsor Ruth and
her team of deaf sailors during Cowes Week 2006. We are obviously hoping that
the crew do really well and are wishing them the best of luck! The NDCS is the
only UK charity solely dedicated to the support of deaf children and young
people, their families, and professionals working with them and role-models like
Ruth really help raise awareness of the issues that deaf children and young
people can face. Ruth and the crew really show that deafness need not be a
barrier to achieving what you want in life."
Ruth and Katie will communicate with
each other by sign but will communicate by lip-reading to Richard and Julia.
Their aim is to promote deaf
awareness through sailing during Skandia Cowes Week 2006. Deaf awareness is.
Deafness should not get in the way of deaf people doing what they want to do.
Deafness is only another way of communicating, it doesn’t mean we are unable to
do things.
Ruth has
sailed for over 4 years under the guidance of Sail Training Principal Richard
Beardsley at Oxford Sailing Club, Oxford and has also sailed in many other
different places. Richard has worked with Ruth for the last 4 years. In that
time he has had to learn about deaf awareness and how to communicate with deaf
people.
Oxford
Sailing Club is a busy club located on Farmoor Reservoir in
Oxford. It has a regular programme of racing all year round. The club offers a
range of RYA approved sailing, powerboat and First Aid courses (and other
training by arrangement if required). We also provide boat hire facilities to
members and course participants.
Ruth, Julia, Katie
and Richard are still looking for sponsorship so if anyone would like to sponsor
them, then e-mail Ruth on
ruthmarrison@btinternet.com .
If you would like
more information than contact Oxford Sailing Club on 01865 863201 or visit the
website on
www.oxfordsailingclub.com .
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