Sailability
Since 1991, Sailability Auckland has opened the world of sailing to children and adults with disabilities, giving them the skills, confidence, and sheer joy that come from being out on the water in a supportive, inclusive environment.
At the heart of the programme are Hansa yachts, designed by Chris Mitchell in Australia and now sailed in more than 30 countries. Built for accessibility, they feature weighted keels for exceptional stability, making them virtually uncapsizable, and can be customised to suit any sailor’s needs.
“Hansa boats are built on universal design principles, making them accessible and enjoyable for anyone, including sailors with disabilities,” says Paul Wager, Trustee of Sailability Auckland and Secretary of the NZ Hansa Class.
From Rehab to Virtual Reality
Paul knows first-hand the life-changing impact of sailing. As a paraplegic, he spent time at the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit (ASRU). In the corner of the rehab gym sat an old mechanical sailing simulator, used to help patients rebuild confidence, strength and coordination.
This sparked an idea. In Australia, a developer had created a cutting-edge virtual reality sailing simulator. If it included Hansa yachts, people in hospital, rehab, or even at home could learn to sail, without ever leaving their chair or bed.
“There are thousands of disabled sailors around the world right now,” Paul says. “Giving them a way to learn and practise in the virtual world would be hugely valuable, and for those in rehabilitation, it could provide not just skills, but motivation and confidence to get back into life.”
When Paul pitched the concept to Hansa founder Chris Mitchell at the World Championships in Australia earlier this year, the response was instant enthusiasm.
Scanning the Future
There was just one challenge: no formal design plans for the boats existed. That’s where Recon stepped in. Using advanced 3D scanning, they captured every detail of the yacht’s design.
“I was truly amazed at the accuracy of the scans and how quickly the data was compiled. The technology exceeded my expectations, I didn’t realise such precision was even possible,” says Paul.
With this data, the hope is that Hansa yachts will soon be part of VR sailing simulation, making the sport more accessible than ever.
A First Taste of Freedom
For Paul, the true measure of success is moments like this one: a young sailor with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, with severely limited movement in both arms and legs, came to try sailing. The team adapted a sip-and-puff steering system and even mounted his ventilator on the back of the boat. After his first solo sail, he turned to Paul and said:
“My whole life, my mum has been beside me. This is the first thing I’ve ever done on my own, and I was in complete control.”
That’s the power of Sailability Auckland. If you’d like to help more sailors experience that same freedom, you can donate [HERE].