WETA's for disabled people

Please select your home edition

Edition

WETA's for disabled people

by Mike Wood on 10 Dec 2016

Best performanc with crew to ballance the boat Mike Wood

While the Paralympic world ponders the technicalities of disabled people you may be interested to know that disabled people in the UK have been sailing and racing them for over 10 years.

The UK's Disabled Sailors Association (DSA) has a small fleet of Wetas and either provides dinghy sailing free of charge to disabled people or loans boats to people who promise to use them on a regular basis.

Rod steering is very positive © Mike Wood

Rod steering is very positive © Mike Wood

It is very easy indeed to adapt the Weta and the DSA provides modifications which allow any disability to sail them, single handed or with one or two crew. The most popular 'mod' is fitting a racing seat on the centre line allowing severely disabled people to enjoy this versatile craft.

Two Wetas are kept on the Mar Menor in Southern Spain which allows all year round sailing and racing and inexpensive holidays.

Spanish National Team members try a Weta in 2011 © Mike Wood

Spanish National Team members try a Weta in 2011 © Mike Wood

Very comfortable © Mike Wood

Very comfortable © Mike Wood

Wetas will sail with and rig combination © Mike Wood

Wetas will sail with and rig combination © Mike Wood

Easy access to seat © Mike Wood

Easy access to seat © Mike Wood

If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.yachtsandyachting.com/150331

Related Articles

49er, 49erFX & Nacra 17 Junior Europeans overall
Champions crowned in Sferracavallo The 2025 Junior Europeans for the Nacra 17, 49er, and 49erFX classes came to an exciting close today at Circolo Velico Sferracavallo, following four days of high-level competition that tested both skill and strategy across varying weather conditions.
Posted on 9 Nov

2026 RORC Nelson's Cup Series Preview
Tactics, trade winds and island time For boats based in or heading to the Caribbean for February 2026, the fourth edition of the RORC Nelson's Cup Series offers the perfect balance of world-class race management, competitive racing, and laid-back Antiguan hospitality.
Posted on 9 Nov

Salcombe Yacht Club Winter Series Race 3
A lovely sunny mild day with a ferocious tide Competitors in the third race of the winter series were greeted by a lovely sunny mild day. The wind was a rather fickle westerly, the tide a ferocious 5.2 metres and there was more weed in the estuary than in Brixton on a Saturday night.
Posted on 9 Nov

Barco Brasil take the 'Sharps' lead
In the Globe40 at Reunion Island The Brazilian competitor BARCO BRASIL (Class40 151) crossed the finish line in Saint Paul Bay on Reunion Island yesterday at 05:47 UTC after 36 days, 14 hours, and 47 minutes of racing from Cape Verde in this second leg of the GLOBE40.
Posted on 9 Nov

18ft Skiff SIXT Spring Championship Race 5
World champion Yandoo team faultless in the 20-knot southerly winds 2025 JJ Giltinan world champion Yandoo team of Tom Needham, Fang Warren and Lewis Brake were faultless in the 20-knot southerly winds which swept across Sydney Harbour, as they powered their skiff to a brilliant near-all-the-way victory.
Posted on 9 Nov

50% off Vaikobi VCOLD Base Layer Top!
Vaikobi's best-selling thermal top of all time! Vaikobi's best-selling thermal top of all time! Super light hollow yarn, moisture-wicking fleece, super soft cozy feeling, won't overheat, quick-drying, UV50+.
Posted on 9 Nov

The Ultimate Cold-Weather System Has Arrived
The Zhik Performance Drysuit sets a new standard in waterproof protection Redesigned for elite performance in cold, wet conditions, the Zhik Performance Drysuit sets a new standard in waterproof protection.
Posted on 8 Nov

World Sailing elects two Vice Presidents
Dr Sophia Papamichalopoulos OLY and Corinne Migraine voted in At the 2025 World Sailing General Assembly, the final meeting of the 2025 Annual Conference in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, World Sailing Member National Authorities voted in the Vice Presidential elections.
Posted on 8 Nov

Harken Grip&Go Aluminum Winch Handle
Lightweight, fast-acting, ball bearing locking winch handle makes grinding winches easy! Lightweight and fast-acting, the Aluminum Grip&Go ball bearing locking winch handle makes grinding winches easy! Racers will manoeuvre faster and cruisers will have confidence in a reliable and easy-to-use winch handle.
Posted on 8 Nov

Cadet class grows new squadrons
Nationals attendance is also up, as more young sailors enjoy the Cadet family Cadet class sailors and families enjoyed the UK National Championships at Brixham in August, and were delighted to count 50 GBR boats in attendance, with three new clubs sending teams along, which is great to see!
Posted on 8 Nov