Australian Sailing’s OutThere Sailing program for teenagers is helping to get more Victorians experiencing sailing, especially those with greater barriers to participation. The OutThere Sailing program is aimed at 12- 17-year old’s who have never experienced sailing and windsurfing before or might have tried these sports when they were younger.

During the Easter school holidays a group of 16 teenagers from South-east Melbourne experienced sailing through an OutThere Sailing experience, many for the first time at Albert Park Lake. The group is part of the Le Mana (Empower) Pasifika Project run by the Centre for Multi-Cultural Youth. The ‘Le Mana’ project helps to build connected communities and a sense of belonging through different activities such as sailing.

Paora Te Paki the Pasifika Youth Worker for the City of Casey who attended the OutThere Sailing session said "Dante, one of the teenagers who tried sailing for the first time said “It was really fun, surprisingly fun as I had never done sailing before, the windier it got the easier it was as I got used to the boat”. David another sailing participant said “ I was terrified as this was my first time sailing but it was lots of fun as the adrenaline made it fun."

Australian Sailing Victorian office also teamed up with Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria to offer an OutThere Sailing Experience on the last Saturday of the Easter School holidays to seven teens and 2 pre-teens who were blind or have low vision. The introduction to sailing many for the first time was a great experience as qualified Australian Sailing instructors took them for one to one coaching out on the water, in the Hansa all abilities dinghies, with 3 participants building up the confidence to have a go on the faster Pacers as well. 

All the participants enjoyed the day, and the parents were really pleased that their kids were able to participate in something so different from their usual activities.

Lilly, who is totally blind, said that she really enjoyed experiencing the different sounds and the way the boat moved, and Bianca, who has low vision, commented that she wanted to have a go in the Pacer because 'there is a higher chance of falling in'.

One participant's mum said "it's so exciting to have all these new opportunities for the kids to try. James has never had the chance to join in a sport like sailing before. He had a great time and would love to try it again."  

It was a fantastic day all around and all the families are interested in doing more sailing in the future.

Allie Douglas Project Co-ordinator Teens Program for Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria said of the day.

"BSRV works to support people who are blind or have low vision to enjoy the same sport and recreation opportunities as everyone else. By extending Out There Sailing to teens who are blind or have low vision, Australian Sailing has given these young people a really positive experience of sailing. The participants enjoyed the session so much they are all interested in doing it again."   

"I want to thank Australian Sailing for giving young people who are blind or have low vision this amazing opportunity to experience sailing, and particularly to thank the instructors who were so integral to the success of the day. All the instructors were really enthusiastic during the communication and guiding training we did last week and their enthusiasm extended to the session on Saturday when they did a great job engaging with the participants." 

Background Information:

The OutThere Sailing program aimed at 12-17 years old helps teenagers experience sailing, windsurfing and stand up paddle boarding often for the first time is funded by Vic Health with the aim to get more young Victorians active through the Growing Participation in Sport program. Created for 12-17 year olds who want to try sailing in a non-competitive, social and fun setting. OutThere Sailing is the perfect way to have fun on the water without any long term commitment!

Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria (BSRV) enhances the lives of people throughout Victoria who are blind, or vision impaired through sport and recreation. Since their establishment in 1977 they have evolved into a small but thriving charity, which is setting the benchmark for blind sport and recreation in Australia. Supporting more than 1,200 members, BSRV encourage people with no or low vision of all ages and backgrounds to lead more healthy and active lifestyles.

 For more information:

• OutThere Sailing - Australian Sailing - Discover Sailing
• Recreational sports for people with vision loss - Blind Sports
• Le Mana Pasifika - Centre For Multicultural Youth
• Growing participation in sport - VicHealth