What our Sailors Say

I sailed a couple of times as a youth and never forgot the feeling. I discovered Sailability many years later, at a time in my life when I was suffering from depression. Sailability taught me new skills, helped me build new relationships, and reminded me how to rely on others – and allow others to rely on me.

Sailability played a major part in my journey to recovery. Being on the water is the greatest tonic.

As Ratty said to Mole in The Wind in the Willows: “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

Having lost my leg in 2000 as a result of a motor vehicle accident, I stumbled into sailing through a chance meeting with the Sydney Amputees Association, who were having a Social Sail on Sydney Harbour and invited me along. I had never sailed on a yacht before.

This eventually led me to Sailability Rushcutters Bay (SRB), where I learnt to sail through SRB’s Sailor Development Program. From there, I went on to skipper SRB’s Sonars Primary Wave and Mid Wicket in the Summer and Winter Series yacht races on the Harbour, taking out a number of trophies in those series.

Having refereed Rugby League for 11 seasons prior to losing my leg, sailing with Sailability Rushcutters Bay has given me a competitive and active sport suited to my abilities – something I can truly excel in.

Sailing has always had a profoundly therapeutic effect on my mood. Many years ago, when I found that Sailability was offering sailing to disabled people, I quickly offered to volunteer as a skipper. It gives me great joy to witness the positive effect the sailing experience has on others, and to receive their gratitude and appreciation in return.

I always wanted to go sailing but never had the opportunity – until I acquired a disability at age 40. When I discovered SRB 10 years later, it was the most positive change in my life. Not only do I get to regularly enjoy the pure joy of sailing, but as a pensioner, it fills my week affordably and meaningfully.

The small club atmosphere means members quickly become friends. After years of social isolation, that sense of belonging has been life-changing. SRB truly is a club where anyone can belong – regardless of age, physical capacity, or social circumstance.

Rushcutters Bay Sailability is a community of inspired and enthusiastic friends and volunteers who enable our movement on the harbour – across the waves to the horizon – as we learn to sail. We are liberated from land-based struggles and empowered to take command: trimming the sails and working together with the wind.

The skippers are wonderful teachers – generous, professional, and dedicated – and the whole team works tirelessly to maintain a safe, supportive, and visible club environment. For my disabled partner, it is calm water in a turbulent world. We sail as often as we can and always feel safe and welcomed.

I joined Sailability in 2021 because I wanted to volunteer, support the community, and sail on our beautiful harbour. I love every minute of it – the social connection, the stories, the historical insights, the literary and etymological nuggets (yes, I’m a word nerd!).

Joining the club has changed my life for the better. I now have something meaningful to look forward to each week – something that gives back as much as I put in. I sail with kind-hearted, experienced sailors, and together we simply want to do good things.

Sailability Rushcutters Bay has made my long pent-up sailing sweet dreams come true.

A chance comment in a work “Teams” meeting about watching the Sydney-Hobart yachts come up the Derwent River in 2023, and I was thrown in the deep end.

“Do you sail, Tamara Thiessen?” piped up my then colleague, Tery Breen.

“No, but I sure want to!”

Joining Tery and Ron on a Saturday morning sail, I immediately asked, “When can I go racing?”

“What are you doing this afternoon? They need more crew.”

And off I was.

Not only was I finally on the water, but I had joined an association with incredible values. I love that Sailability enables people of different abilities to sail.

Sailing has transformed my life. In 18 months, I have learnt so much from my sailing buddies. From skipper Steve to fellow crew members Cathy, Tricia and Gaye, all have given so much of their time and experience patiently coaching me.

Today, I am still relatively inexperienced, but thanks to my Rushcutters Bay chums, I have confidence and knowledge. I know that it’s not just getting to the finishing line that counts most, but the spirit of camaraderie I have encountered at Sailability.

Now my dream is to dive in deeper – to give back, to volunteer. Every step (or nautical mile) of the way has been an euphoric journey!

I’m totally hooked, lined and sinkered!

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Cousteau

I joined Sailability Rushcutters Bay in March 2023 after always wanting to sail but never having the chance. From my very first outing, I was hooked! The social sails and friendly races taught me everything I know and sparked a real passion for life on the water.

To build on that, I joined a Women’s Sailing class with Ladies of the Sea in Kirribilli and later earned several sailing licenses overseas. I’ve always loved volunteering and working with people, and SRB has given me the perfect way to combine both.

Having moved to Sydney in 2020, SRB quickly became my lifeline and community – I truly don’t know what I would have done without them. Sailing has opened up a whole new world for me, filled with adventure, friendship, and joy.