Success achieved in Round-the-Island Race

success achieved in round-the-island race

Members of Cowes Sailability Club had the opportunity to participate in the renowned Round-the-Island sailing race in 2025, along with other people with physical and learning disabilities.  They joined the crew of Spirit of Scott Bader, a 36-foot sailing yacht owned by the Disabled Sailors’ Association.

After nine hours on the water, in largely good sailing conditions, the crew was delighted to clinch the first prize in the Bridgedeck Catamaran Cruiser class.

Tristan Woods, a young adult with autism, was one of the members of Cowes Sailability Club who took part in the race.  The whole experience was definitely a highlight of his year.  Over 800 sailing boats of all sizes took part in the circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight, and Tristan particularly liked the experience of dodging the other boats in congested parts of the course, like around the iconic Needles rocks.

“It is fantastic that Cowes Sailability Club can provide opportunities like this for its members to participate in what is one of the largest yacht races in the world,” says Roger Sutton, Commodore of Cowes Sailability Club.  “Often people with disabilities can feel excluded from big events, so occasions like this enable us to show our members that they can take part in all kinds of sailing activities and really benefit from the experience.”

Tristan’s mum Joanne believes that Tristan definitely gains mental health benefits from sailing.  “Being on the water helps to keep him calmer and makes him feel so happy.  People with autism often find it hard to focus, and I can really see how sailing with Cowes Sailability Club helps Tristan to focus on what he is doing and concentrate to learn new things.”

The opportunity for members of Cowes Sailability Club to take part in the race arose through the charity’s close relationship with the Disabled Sailors’ Association.  Cowes Sailability Club regularly charters Spirit of Scott Bader to provide its members with the opportunity to experience sailing a large catamaran.  The yacht is fully accessible and able to accommodate people who use wheelchairs.

Paul Wilks, a volunteer and trustee of Cowes Sailability Club, was invited to join the crew of Spirit of Scott Bader for the Round-the-Island Race 2025, to help support all those with disabilities.  “It was quite a day!” he recalls.  “Nine hours is a long time to be afloat, but everyone on board was really enthusiastic.  Participants had a wide range of disabilities but everyone took a turn at helming and played a part in our racing success on the day.”

He adds: “I would like to say a huge thank you to the Disabled Sailors’ Association for inviting members of Cowes Sailability Club to take part in the Round-the-Island Race.  It was a rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

Spirit of Scott Bader