The Disabled Sailors
Association

Our vision & mission.

A message from Mike Wood MBE

The DSA's achievements.

Our charitable work explained.

Our aim is to give everybody — no matter their disability or how complex their needs — the opportunity to enjoy the experience of seagoing sailing, in a safe and pleasurable environment, and to be involved in an activity from which many believe themselves excluded.

Every year, around 1,000 disabled people sail one of our boats and during the last 30 years, over 50,000 people have sailed with the DSA. The DSA's facilities allow anyone with a disability to sail, either on our specially designed boats or boats built and adapted for an individual which provide accessible controls to enable independent sailing.

The DSA attracts people from across the UK — individuals, sailing clubs and 33 other charities and organisations, including social services, to enable their users the opportunity to sail.

Although all age groups sail with the DSA, children and young people are especially keen and the DSA offers the facilities and training required for various qualifications, such as the Duke of Edinburgh and RYA 'Sailability' qualifications. Family members and carers of our disabled sailors who sail with us also benefit from respite with the day's activity, promoting inclusion.

In addition to recreational sailing, the DSA offers exciting competitive opportunities, in sailing regattas and through sailing club events across the UK.

Safety is of paramount importance; the DSA has specific safety rules plus risk assessment and policies for all activities and uses the Marine Coast Guard Agency (MCA) blue book as a basis for safety.

The DSA is unique and, with the long term support of the Scott Bader resin company, relies on donations from the public and grant-making organisations to enable it to carry out its charitable work.

Our range of boats.

The DSA are the only organisation in the world able to welcome and fully support people with any disability to sail in one of our specially designed boats.

Partners & organisations that sail with us.

33 different organisations and charities use the DSA's unique facilities, spanning disability support, youth organisations, veteran charities, schools and more.

• Gwennili Trust
• Department of Health & Social Care
• Mariners of Bewl
• Elifar
• Back Up
• RNIB
• Leonard Cheshire
• Special Olympics
• Treloar's
• Headway
• Help for Heroes
• Multiple Sclerosis Society
• Lilliput Families
• Mencap
• Scouts
• Blesma
• Endeavour Fund
• Phab
• The Royal Foundation
• Whizz-Kidz
• JST
• Stroke Association
• WSWSC
• Mind
• Scope
• Blind Veterans UK
• The Poppy Factory
• Enham Trust

Our social values.

The Disabled Sailors Association promotes several key social values through its work:

Our beneficiaries.

Our work has made a profound difference to the lives of people with all disabilities. All who sail with us benefit from the experience, and so we continue to strive to reach and positively impact more people, more organisations, and therefore more lives. Our sailors, aged from 4 to 100, travel from all over the UK to sail with us. We can cater for all disabilities — learning, physical and non-visible.

Philip's story

Philip lives with chronic myofascial pain caused by joint hypermobility syndrome, alongside the lasting effects of four years of surgery for bilateral ulnar impaction syndrome. He also carries the burden of PTSD from childhood abuse. Daily tasks like dressing or brushing his hair can be a real struggle.

In August 2023, after telling his son he wanted to learn to sail and being met with scepticism, Philip searched online: "Can disabled people sail?" That search led him to discover Hilary Lister, who famously sailed using only a sip-and-puff system. Inspired, Philip then discovered the Disabled Sailors Association and headed out to sea for the first time, on the Spirit of Scott Bader.

"Life changing is the only way to describe it. We had just come out of the lock when John handed me the helm and taught me how to navigate the channel. Soon after, we were responding to a mayday call, supporting a vessel in distress. I helmed the boat the whole time. It was the most amazing experience — the motion of the ocean unlocked my spasms, helped improve mobility, and released stress throughout my body. It was easier to helm the boat than drive my van. That is when I realised I needed to be at sea."

Since that first trip, Philip has gone on to achieve sailing qualifications including his Day Skipper, and has taken part in the Round the Island Race — even winning first place with the DSA team.

"Before I found sailing, I wanted to go to Switzerland and end my life. Raising three children alone with my disability was tough. Sailing gave me participation — the most important thing of all. Everyone on board is equal, pulled together by the wind in the sails. On Spirit of Scott Bader, we are all just sailors."

Now, Philip volunteers with his local 'Sailability' club — giving back, even though he is unable to work. "On the water, I am free from my condition. Sailing has become my answer to everything in life. If someone has challenges, I tell them — have you heard about sailing?"