Smiles on the water at the Miss Isle School of Sip-Puff Sailing

Hannah on board with coach Alasdair Boden and Safety boat driver Tony Badham © Tracey Clarke-Sullivan

The Miss Isle School of Sip-Puff Sailing has just completed another successful sailing course for a new student, with smiles and a huge sense of achievement for all involved.

The charity, which was founded by young sailor Natasha Lambert who has athetoid cerebral palsy, introduced Hannah Shelmerdine to the unique straw sailing technology pioneered by Natasha's dad Gary.

Hannah travelled, with her careers, from Bolton where she started sailing with her local Sailability group. Whilst she enjoyed her sailing there she wanted more freedom when sailing and approached the School, via its web site.

On the first day Hannah familiarised herself with the boat and the system on the River Medina, which runs inland from Cowes where the School is based. On the second day Hannah sailed the boat herself, under the watchful eye of Miss Isle School coach, Alasdair Boden.

Both days on the water were challenging and tiring, but Hannah enjoyed the whole experience and commented "Lovely to meet you Natasha. I've loved every minute, thank you so much for the opportunity. I feel privileged to have met you and to have worked with you and all of the team."

Trustee of the charity, Cherrell Catlow, was one of the safety boat crew. At the end of the course she commented "every student of the School has different needs so each sailing course requires careful planning and considerable resources. The charity is grateful to the Lambert family, sailing coaches, Phil Devereux and Alasdair Boden, all the volunteers on the water and Cowes Yacht Haven. Their work and support allows more and more people to experience the joys of Sip and Puff sailing."

For further information on the charity and getting afloat visit www.missisle.org.uk