Racing for the disabled
Read features and stories about ACF Sailing and the people who make it float
As a young naval cadet with a passion for sailing, Ian Wyllie’s life was heading for a career at sea. Like many of us with a clear vision of where we want to end up, the thought of a spanner being thrown into the works never occurs. In Ian’s case his spanner came in the … Read more
Supporters of the Andrew Cassell Foundation inspired by the late John Garlick raised over £4,400 over the weekend at an Art Show featuring nine of the Island’s artists.
Eddie has sailed with the Andrew Cassell Foundation for 3 years., He is an increasingly serious sailor, is completely blind and has a major hearing impairment. Somehow he manages to fit in full time work.
Andrew Cassell Foundation are raring to go as public health restrictions lift to permit organised sport. Thursday was the first day of suitable wind and crew availability to we had to get the Sonar Spare Part out on the Solent for a shakedown. For this shakedown Spare Part was crewed by two participants – one … Read more
Andy Cassell established the Andrew Cassell Foundation when he returned from the Atlanta Paralympics in 1996, having won a Gold Medal for sailing. He had spent a lifetime competing in able-bodied fleets before leading the first GB Paralympic sailing team and he was determined to give something back to a sport that he loved The … Read more
The Andrew Cassell Foundation enables individuals with physical disabilities and impairments to sail competitively on an equal level playing field with and against able bodied sailors, in an inclusive and equal environment in all classes. Part of this article is downloadable as a PDF briefing explaining the foundation’s special responsibility and place in the ecosystem … Read more
Steven began to learn to sail at 8 years old in a topper with the Sea Scouts. From this first experience his passion for sailing developed but the journey to becoming an inspiring sailor and race coach began after he lost his legs in 2010.
Through my school years I struggled with bullying and being reminded that I wasn’t normal,Sailing for me was my escape it was a way for me to be just like everybody else I could leave my disability on the shore.
Andy was born in 1942 without legs and deformed hips but this did not stop him becoming a top racing sailor with a career that has spanned 50 years. He died after a short illness in Cowes his home for so much of his eighty three years in 2025. He was born in Sussex but … Read more
At the time of the ‘79 Fastnet, I was spending some weekends testing new designs that Westerly Yachts were producing. That summer I had been testing the J30, the forerunner of the J29. This was a boat designed by Rod Johnson which was to be marketed as a racing yacht that could go ‘round the … Read more
Andrew Cassell Foundation (Racing for the Disabled) is a Charity in England and Wales: 1057742
Supports people with disabilities (mainly physical & sensory) to take part in yacht racing and cruising and to encourage the integration of sailors with disabilities with able bodied sailors