Website: https://www.disabledsailingassociation.org.uk/
Email: dsatorbay@gmail.com
Telephone: 01803 408886
Address: DSA, Morden House, Warren Road, Torquay Devon TQ2 5TU
The Disabled Sailing Association is a Torquay-based sailing charity, run for the disabled, by the disabled.
Our aim is, wherever possible, to give everybody, no matter what their disability, the opportunity to enjoy the experience of seagoing sailing in a safe and pleasurable environment, and to encourage them to be involved in an activity that many believe they are excluded from.
Our objective is to provide the fun and freedom of sailing at sea on one of our specially modified, modern sailing yachts for all disabled people, their family and carers.
Our trips range from local cruising of about three to four hours around Torbay, up to longer coastal and cross-channel passages, including overnight stays aboard for the more adventurous.
The Disabled Sailing Association (DSA) is an ‘RYA Sailability’ affiliated and approved organisation. We were established as a charity in 2005 by six disabled people who loved sailing at sea and wished to encourage and provide the opportunity to others with a disability to enjoy sailing.
We are a non-profit making organisation, fully reliant on external funding, donations and voluntary contributions. Today, individual membership stands at over two hundred, excluding the care centres, rehabilitation centres, respite and day centres who use our facilities regularly.
We have been able to provide sailing for all ages from 4 to 104 (!) years and through the whole range of disabilities which include blind, deaf blind, learning difficulties, chronic illness and people who are confined to their wheelchairs.
Both our current boats fully comply with the required RNLI sea safety checks and recommendations and are specially adapted for people with a range of disabilities. Wheelchair access is provided via a specially designed ramp makes them accessible for those who have very limited mobility.
Enjoying the fun and freedom of being at sea, handling the boat and the social company of working together in a small team builds confidence, friendships and social skills. As an outdoor activity it promotes a healthier lifestyle and freedom from the usual four walls.
You can join the DSA either as a Member, Associate Member or Supporter.
Any person with a disability can join and sail as a Member. They are supported on the boats by our crews who are all volunteers and Associate members. Our Supporters are people interested in the work of the DSA and help out with vital shore-based support.
Find us on Face Book @disabledsailing and Twitter @dsatorbay
Registered Charity Number 1113330