A week dedicated to sailing and disability
Created in 2018, the national handivoile and handivalide week grows in scope every year. With events in some fifty clubs along the French coast, FFVoile clubs are showcasing ways of sailing despite disability, both independently through handivoile, but also in mixed crews combining able-bodied and disabled people, handivalide sailing. Inclusive solutions that can be found in clubs.
Testing materials for navigation access
Matthieu Le Moual, manager of the Plougonvelin nautical center in Finistère, explains how his facility is organizing a dedicated day on June 17 on its Trez-Hir beach: "We have 2 highlights. The first in the morning with Miaggo, a company that rents out adapted equipment for outdoor activities to local authorities and individuals, such as bicycles, wheelchair crawlers, underwater scooters and SUPs with seat extensions.
On the second day, in the afternoon, we welcome the disabled public for sailing, either on the Hansa, for 2 people with an able-bodied skipper, or on a Magnum 21 trimaran with two able-bodied people and one wheelchair user. There are also giant paddles for wheelchair users and double or triple kayaks. All of this is done on outings lasting around thirty minutes."
To achieve this, the Plougonvelin nautical center welcomes individuals, and also works with partner associations and local physiotherapy centers.
Creating a year-round dynamic in clubs
On the territory, the handivoile event has existed since 2018, but the club relies on the dynamism of one of its members, Chantal Salaun. Left quadriplegic after a horse-riding accident, she came back to the club to return to catamaran sailing. The team was able to find solutions, and Chantal, who founded the Chant'all together association, continues to improve the situation, by raising awareness in the various organizations she attends.
Matthieu Le Moual concludes by emphasizing that the aim of the event goes beyond a simple day of discovery: "We show that sailing is possible, even from a beach, with the help of volunteers. We already welcome structures at certain times of the year, and are occasionally approached by private individuals in the summer. As local club coordinator, we want to instill a dynamic for welcoming disabled people to the centers all year round."
