When you hear the word sailor, what kind of person comes to mind?
When I first heard about a sailing week organised by the Sailing Vision Trust for visually impaired people last year, I imagined sailing as a physically demanding, highly visual, and inaccessible sport. I thought about the challenges: moving around the boat, steering it, and navigating safely. It felt impossible for someone blind like me.
But I still wanted to give it a go, and I soon discovered how wrong my first impression was.
Taking the first step into the unknown
I first came across Sailing Vision Trust through an offer by VICTA two years ago. I had no sailing experience and no idea what to expect from spending a week on a boat, but I wanted to try something adventurous.
That one week was so impactful that I went on to take part in another sailing trip the following year with the Visually Impaired Sailing Association (VISA-GB). That alone proves how much I loved it!
Life on board: learning the ropes
Both weeks were structured with a couple of visually impaired sailors, a skipper, and volunteers on each boat. On the first day, we were given an orientation to show us where everything was, and we were encouraged to physically try things out. At first, moving around the boat while it was in motion felt almost impossible.
We were also meeting people who were complete strangers but would soon become my companions for the whole week.
In the following days, we sailed to different destinations daily and got involved in every aspect of sailing: preparing and tidying up the boat, helming, tacking and jibing (turning the boat), and even cooking and washing up on board. I was surprised by how much I could do, and how quickly I started to learn new skills.
My favourite part was helming with the wind, steering the boat. I could feel the wind on my face, the boat’s movement beneath me, and learned how to steer by sensing the wind’s direction. I discovered that sailing isn’t just about sight: it’s about listening, feeling, and responding to the environment with all your senses.
Discovering new confidence and breaking barriers
What seemed terrifying at the start of the week became manageable with practice, patience, and the guidance of the sighted crew. Every day, I grew more confident in navigating the boat, tackling tasks, and trusting my abilities.
By the end of each sailing week, I felt transformed. I had gained tremendous skills, made new connections, and created unforgettable memories. Most importantly, I discovered what I’m truly capable of as a blind person.
Now, I feel inspired to continue sailing at my local club, join more events, and maybe even take part in a race if the chance arises!
How you can get involved
I recommend sailing to anyone who wants to challenge themselves. You’ll be surprised at what you can do, and you’ll enjoy every moment! Like me, you might even break down barriers you never knew you had.
If you’d like to get involved:
- Blind Sailing Week in July (Sailing Vision Trust): https://www.sailingvision.org/blind-sailing-week
- Trips throughout the year (VISA-GB): https://visa-gb.org.uk/
- Weekly dinghy sailing sessions at local clubs (RYA Sailability): https://www.rya.org.uk/start-boating/sailability
You can also sign up to hear about new sporting opportunities with VICTA here: Stay in touch with VICTA
