All Hands on deck

Students from all over the region got the opportunity to learn the ropes of sailing last week thanks to the Making Waves Foundation and the inspirational crew aboard the foundation’s vessel Kayle.

The Making Waves Winds of Joy program is operated by a crew of skilled volunteers from Sydney and Newcastle with backgrounds in competitive and casual sailing, facilitating an unforgettable experience for students and people living with physical or intellectual disabilities.

Led by skipper Kathy Veel, the crew takes two groups of students a day out on the sea, teaching them the basics of sailing as well as valuable life lessons.

“It’s not so much about sailing,” said Ms Veel.

“It’s about the teamwork, the communication, stepping outside where you think your limits are, which are skills that (students) can then take to whatever they’re doing in life.

“It’s about changing attitudes internally and also within society’s expectations of what people with disabilities can do.”

Making Waves In Mackay

Departing from Mackay Marina, students from schools including Pioneer State High, Mackay State High, Glenella State School and Mackay District Special School were treated to two hours on the water where they had some magical encounters, including spotting whales and dolphins.

Ms Veel says two hours on the water can make a world of difference.

“What we see with the kids is when they step into the boat, they’re shy, they’re fearful, they’re reluctant to move anywhere,” she said.

“We get them to steer the boat, to help us trim the sheets, just things that they’d never get an opportunity to do, and they start to move about the boat more freely.

“From sitting huddled in their spot, they’ll be up on the bow looking out for whales and they’re very different when they get off the water.”

“For the carers, we’ll hear them say things like, ‘I never thought they could do that.’”

Patrick Borg, parent of Mackay District Special School student Conrad, said the experience was one like no other.

“It was good to give the kids a go at something they wouldn’t normally have a go at, and it was done in such a safe manner,” he said.

“(Conrad) didn’t sleep at all last night, he kept talking about the big ‘canoe.’”

Jenelle Whittaker, a classroom teacher at Mackay District Special School, says the experience was executed in an extremely safe manner.

“Often the level of safety in the things that we do is more suited to the mainstream so sometimes it doesn’t offer the higher support needs that our kids need,” Ms Whittaker said.

“Boats that are set up to cater for kids with a disability are a very rare thing, so that’s fabulous.

“As you can see, they all had a great time.”

The organisation also has programs that mentor young people to work in the marine industries and Ms Veel says there are plenty of examples of the programs starting a passion for sailing in participants.

“People have gone on to be sailors, also to work with shipwrights, and other aspects of marine work,” she said.

Starting in 1993, Making Waves has given over 55,000 people the unique opportunity to take to the seas.

Kayle and her crew will also make stops at Roslyn Bay, Southport, Brisbane, Coffs Harbour and Newcastle on her way back to Sydney, giving children all up and down the coast the experience of a sailor.

To find out more, visit makingwavesfoundation.com.au.

Students from Mackay District Special School enjoyed a day on the water last week with the inspirational volunteers from the Making Waves Foundation. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

‍Students from Mackay District Special School enjoyed a day on the water last week thanks to the Making Waves Foundation. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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