We facilitate sailing for people with disabilities, as well as anyone who is new to sailing, or doesn't have training with difficult craft. Having said that, we sail the Access 2.3 Sailing Dinghy, which is a keelboat with a removable weighted centreboard, requiring considerable skill to master properly. These boats have only a mainsail, with only one rope to manipulate, and they are steered using a joystick instead of a tiller, which means if you want to go left, you move the joystick left. The weighted centreboard makes them virtually impossible to tip over (though we've seen people test this to the limit). They were specifically designed for use by people with disabilities, but we have members at all levels of ability in our club, who find that the water is an equal playing field.

During the out-of-season months over the Australian winter we attempt a sailing day on the last Saturday of each month, from 10am to about 4pm, with a BBQ lunch. During the sailing season (September to April) we sail on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, with extra days schedulled by negotiation.

If you are not a member of Sailability Illawarra, it costs 5 dollars to sail, and everyone pays 2 dollars 50 for lunch. Members get to sail for free. Membership also entitles you to a regular newsletter and reciprocal membership of Illawarra Yacht Club.

This web site is still in progress. More information will be posted as it comes in, and the site will begin to look better as it progresses.

Peter Knox (President)

Jane Doran (Secretary)

Roy Parker (Treasurer)

and a small number of ordinary members.

The new Committee immediately began a funding drive, contacting local companies, service organisations and fundraising groups to pay for our own 2.3 Access Dinghies.

For our first sailing days we hired some dinghies from Sailability Dobroyd (thanks to Ed for bringing them down each time). We sent some of our volunteers off for Rescue Boat training, and things have been rolling along ever since.

We have had around 45 financial members at a peak, but we are always open to new memberships.

We now have 6 Access 2.3 Sailing Dinghies, donated by

Rotary Club of Fairy Meadow

Illawarra Master Builders Club

Dapto Leagues Club

The Tom Thumb Club

Fraternity Club

We also have use of an Access 303, courtesy of the Illawarra Yacht Club, which is bigger than the 2.3s with a jib as well as a mainsail.

The Illawarra Yacht Club also assists us with continued funding each year for administration and infrastucture costs, and maintains our sailing facilities.

The Illawarra Master Builders Club has also funded a boat trailer, and a hoist for getting people out of wheelchairs into the boats was donated by the Tom Thumb Club, Rotary Unanderra and the Inner Wheel, Wollongong.

Illawarra Quilters organised some fundraising activities to pay for our lifejackets.