17-06-2026: Talk - Otley Sailing Club Sailability Peter Robinson
Today's meeting of the Shed was it's final meeting at the Burley Bowling Club since the Shed began over 5 years ago. As our membership has grown we now have more members than the club house can comfortably accommodate so our new home will be the Burley Community Library as from Wednesday 1st July.
A good turnout of members enjoyed a very interesting talk given by local sailing expert Peter Robinson, a regular presenter at the Shed. Peter gave us a talk about the Otley Sailing Club Sailability program which he helps support.
Peter has kindly sent us the following resume about the history and aspirations of the club.
For more than 30 years, Otley Sailing Club has been providing opportunities for people with disabilities and additional needs to experience the enjoyment and freedom of sailing.
The project was started by Norman Stephens and Derek Chapman as Otley Sail Free, along with a small group of enthusiastic volunteers within Otley Sailing Club who wanted to introduce young people with special needs to sailing in a safe and supportive environment. Over the years, the programme has evolved through several stages of development and has benefited from the support of numerous local organisations and sponsors.
Today, the project operates as RYA Sailability, part of the national scheme run by the Royal Yachting Association. Otley has developed into a recognised regional centre for disability sailing, specialising in working with children and young people from special schools across the Leeds area.
Sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the sailing season. The programme works closely with partner schools and can accommodate up to 20 participants per session, with as many as 80 young people taking part each week. Activities are led by Senior Instructors Paul Karron (Tuesdays) and Peter Robinson (Thursdays), supported by a dedicated team of volunteer sailors, safety boat crews, shore helpers, and support staff.
Unlike some larger Sailability centres, such as those operating at Rutland Water, which primarily focus on adults with physical disabilities, Otley's emphasis is on providing sailing opportunities for school-aged children and young people with a wide range of additional needs.
The success of the programme depends heavily on its volunteers and the generosity of supporters. Otley Sailing Club Sailability is always keen to welcome new volunteers and to develop partnerships with local businesses, charities, and community organisations that can help support and fund this valuable work.
By providing access to sailing, teamwork, outdoor activity, and personal achievement, Otley Sailing Club Sailability continues to enrich the lives of hundreds of young people and their families, just as it has done for more than three decades."
Many thanks to Peter for giving the members a very interesting talk and for his kind invite for members to visit the Otley Sailing Club.
Finally the Shed and its members would like to say a huge thank you to Dave, Brian and the Bowling Club Committee for allowing us to use their facilities over the past five years and for all the support they have given us to enable the shed to grow.
A good turnout of members enjoyed a very interesting talk given by local sailing expert Peter Robinson, a regular presenter at the Shed. Peter gave us a talk about the Otley Sailing Club Sailability program which he helps support.
Peter has kindly sent us the following resume about the history and aspirations of the club.
For more than 30 years, Otley Sailing Club has been providing opportunities for people with disabilities and additional needs to experience the enjoyment and freedom of sailing.
The project was started by Norman Stephens and Derek Chapman as Otley Sail Free, along with a small group of enthusiastic volunteers within Otley Sailing Club who wanted to introduce young people with special needs to sailing in a safe and supportive environment. Over the years, the programme has evolved through several stages of development and has benefited from the support of numerous local organisations and sponsors.
Today, the project operates as RYA Sailability, part of the national scheme run by the Royal Yachting Association. Otley has developed into a recognised regional centre for disability sailing, specialising in working with children and young people from special schools across the Leeds area.
Sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the sailing season. The programme works closely with partner schools and can accommodate up to 20 participants per session, with as many as 80 young people taking part each week. Activities are led by Senior Instructors Paul Karron (Tuesdays) and Peter Robinson (Thursdays), supported by a dedicated team of volunteer sailors, safety boat crews, shore helpers, and support staff.
Unlike some larger Sailability centres, such as those operating at Rutland Water, which primarily focus on adults with physical disabilities, Otley's emphasis is on providing sailing opportunities for school-aged children and young people with a wide range of additional needs.
The success of the programme depends heavily on its volunteers and the generosity of supporters. Otley Sailing Club Sailability is always keen to welcome new volunteers and to develop partnerships with local businesses, charities, and community organisations that can help support and fund this valuable work.
By providing access to sailing, teamwork, outdoor activity, and personal achievement, Otley Sailing Club Sailability continues to enrich the lives of hundreds of young people and their families, just as it has done for more than three decades."
Many thanks to Peter for giving the members a very interesting talk and for his kind invite for members to visit the Otley Sailing Club.
Finally the Shed and its members would like to say a huge thank you to Dave, Brian and the Bowling Club Committee for allowing us to use their facilities over the past five years and for all the support they have given us to enable the shed to grow.
