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

Eight-time World champion leads the line-up
For the World Match Racing Tour Final in Shenzhen The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) today announced the sixteen confirmed skippers to compete in the 2025 World Match Racing Tour Final Shenzhen Bao'an in China scheduled to take place from 6-11 January 2026.
Posted today at 5:03 am

8th Portugal Grand Prix at Vilamoura Day 1
Plenty of action on the water The 8th Portugal Grand Prix got off to an exciting start today under a flawless sunny sky. The event brought together 248 sailors and 68 coaches from all corners of the globe, competing across the ILCA 6, ILCA 7, 49er, and 49er FX classes.
Posted on 27 Nov

RYA Launches Futures Lab
To Empower Young Voices on the Water The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is launching Futures Lab - a brand-new project built with young people, for young people.
Posted on 27 Nov

Dorset sailor turns 21 in the most remote ocean
Lauren is the First Mate on board the Washington, DC yacht in the Clipper Race Dorset sailor Lauren Corn celebrated her 21st birthday while racing across the notorious Roaring Forties and helping lead a crew of 20 adventurers around the globe.
Posted on 27 Nov

iQFOiL Senior Europeans at Sferracavallo Day 4
Emma Wilson (GBR) and Nico Goyard (FRA) take the lead as the Final Series wraps up tomorrow Day 4 of the iQFOiL Senior European Championship al Circolo Velico Sferracavallo opened with cooler temperatures and a light morning breeze, keeping both sailors and race officials on their toes.
Posted on 27 Nov

The Famous Project CIC to start on Saturday
A weather window is opening up for their Jules Verne Trophy attempt The big challenge launched by Alexia Barrier and the seven women of "The Famous Project CIC" for the Jules Verne Trophy is set to begin on Saturday!
Posted on 27 Nov

Hamble Winter Series 2025 Race Week 7
Rare territory for the HWS CRO Kathryn Clark, took the CV Baldur towards Hamble Yacht Services (4V), on Sunday morning, for the seventh day of the 2025 Hamble Winter Series. In the end Kathryn chose to start near Darling Buoy (4R), just off the Hill Head shore.
Posted on 27 Nov

37 nations set for World Sailing Inclusion Champs
A total of 154 athletes, alongside coaches and support staff, have entered the landmark event World Sailing, the sport's global governing body, is celebrating a major milestone as over 150 participants representing 37 nations have registered for the inaugural World Sailing Inclusion Championships.
Posted on 27 Nov

The Colander Cup Returns
Because Sailing Doesn't Need to Cost the Earth After the huge success of last year's inaugural event, the FM Sailing Colander Cup is back for 2026 — proving once again that great sailing doesn't have to come with a big price tag.
Posted on 27 Nov

West Country Classic Series 2025
Saltash SC hosts prize-giving sponsored by Hattiers Rum Classic yacht skippers and crews, whose race achievements had scored points in The West Country Classic Series, first established in 2021, gathered at Saltash Sailing Club in November for the annual prize-giving sponsored by Hattiers Rum.
Posted on 27 Nov