Promoting Deaf Awareness through Sailing

Ruth Marrison who is deaf, and Richard Beardsley who is Ruth's coach, both from Oxford Sailing Club will join a team of deaf and hearing sailors taking part in Cowes Week 2009.

The team of seven will be working in partnership with 'Fire Angel' and they will be competing in the Sigma 33 fleet.

FireAngel are the UK's leading manufacturer of home safety products such as smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, including specialist systems for the hearing impaired. FireAngel are dedicated to raising awareness to the dangers of fire and carbon monoxide and strive produce market leading design focused products that ensure everyone in the UK are safe in their homes.

Ruth and coach, Richard will join 5 other crew members, in a week-long challenge to demonstrate their sailing skills and to raise awareness of what you can achieve even though you may have a hearing problem. Richard will coach the team using lip-reading to communicate with some of the team.

Ruth says: My aim through deaf sailing is to show other deaf youngsters that you can achieve what you want. I also would like to see myself as a role model to every deaf person out there. When I first learnt to sail, I felt like I could achieve something even though I am 'deaf' I found people do not judge me when I am out on the water.

Richard, coach to the sailing team says: As a coach, I’m inspired by the dedication and commitment of the deaf and hearing sailors in my team. I’ve had the privilege to teach and work with Ruth Marrison who will lead the team into one of the most exciting sailing competitions of the year. I have watched Ruth grow with confidence through her sailing, and have learnt that deafness does not need to be a barrier to achieving the things you want in life!

Robert Lyon, FireAngel's Marketing Manager says: FireAngel are delighted to be sponsoring Ruth and her team during Cowes Week 2009. Ruth is a fantastic role model for the deaf community and her team shows that deafness need not be a barrier to achieving what you want in life. We wish her the very best of luck and look forward to working together.

You can follow the progress of Ruth at http://sailing-in-silence.blogspot.com