My name is Richard; I am 52 year old and l am raising funds for World Deaf Sailing 2024 in Lithuania in September 2024.

This is my story about me.

l always wanted to try out water sports when I was little. I tried out canoeing while l was at cub camping in Sussex.

Whilst at secondary boarding school in Brighton, there was an opportunity to try out windsurfing activity at Brighton lagoon, which I really enjoyed and found it challenging.

I have always wanted to try out Sailing and wanted to join sailing clubs, however, I always found there is communication barrier due to my deafness and found it difficult to communicate with hearing people.

So years goes by l found there is sailing groups who specialise in providing opportunities for Deaf people like myself like RONA, and Deaf Sailing UK. On finding these sailing clubs, l was so pleased to be able to join and learn all about sailing.

l have been sailing to Portsmouth, Emsworth, Poole, Hamble, Cowes and lsle of Wight as well as sailing overnight from Portsmouth to Cherbourg in France, through Storm Betty in September 2023, which was quite an experience!

l have competed in my first ever Keelboat racing in 2023 at Weymouth with Sailability for two days. This is another organisation who enables people with various disabilities to get involved in sailing.

l have completed my RYA Dingy levels one, two and three sailing courses, powerboat levels one and two and sea survival training course. These courses provided me with skills and knowledge to be able to sail and race safely.

l have a passion of sailing on Keelboat and Yachts and one day I have a dream to buy my own yacht!

Thanks for reading my story l would be very grateful if you would be able to sponsor, however much you can donate, me in my challenge to take part in the World Deaf Sailing Championships.

Mission of Deaf Sailing UK.

As individual sailors, we use our sailing experience and skills to showcase deaf people can undertake sailing as both a hobby and sport.

Sailing with accessible teams, inclusive clubs and opportunities means we each can take our skills to the next level competitively.

Showing future deaf generations they too can sail competitively.