|
DSUK crew competing in the
Sonar race in Skandia Cowes Week 2007
|
|
|
"Deaf sailing crew hope to prove their mettle"
By Hasting & St. Leonards Observer News
A crew of profoundly deaf sailors will test their nautical skills at a world-famous race week this summer.
|
|
The team from Hastings and St Leonards Sailing Club, based at the Marina, is
hoping their efforts will raise awareness of the sport for those with hearing
difficulties.
Led by helmsman, Simon Terry, 33, the group is planning to take part with the
help of an interpreter, but wants to prove deaf people have a role in the sport.
Simon is passionate about sailing and is looking forward to the challenge.
He said: "Even though we have to use an interpreter to communicate, we want to
show that sailing is a great sport and can be accessible for deaf people.
|
|
|
"Sailors are coming from all over the world to compete at Cowes Week, and I am really
looking forward to showing people what we can do.
"I'm excited that we will be taking on people who are not deaf, and I hope this will
inspire other deaf people in Hastings to give sailing a try.
"There are barriers regarding deaf people, which we hope to overcome this summer, and
it is great that we have the chance to compete at such a famous event."
Simon, who also teaches sailing at the club, says the sport is not expensive to take
up and urges anyone to give it a try.
The crew is also looking for sponsorship to help with travelling costs and mooring the
boats at Cowes, and would like to hear from any businesses who would like to join the
project.
The team is planning to take in the full weeks racing at Cowes, and
Simon says nothing
short of victory will do for the determined crew.
They would also like to promote a charity dedicated to people interested in sailing who
suffer from hearing difficulties.
If you want to sponsor the team, email Simon at
zenium07@talktalk.net
for details.
Simon Terry
Member of Hastings and St Leonards Sailing Club
|
