Ocean Marina Yacht Club supports disabled sailing in Thailand
by Infinity Communications 17 Dec 2018 07:46 GMT
The new SV14 from Simonis Voogdt. Are we having fun yet? © Nautique Marketing Communications
Ocean Marina Yacht Club (OMYC) have invested in Thailand's growing disabled sailing scene with the purchase of eight SV14 boats from FarEast Yachts. With limited sailing opportunities for disabled people in Thailand, OMYC have taken the lead with the purchase of what will be the world's first SV14 fleet, expected to be delivered in January 2019, after which the fleet will be based at OMYC in Jomtien Beach, Pattaya.
"OMYC have been promoting sailing opportunities in Thailand, and have been an avid supporter of grassroots sailing for many years. Now we have taken this one step further with the purchase of eight SV14s which we will use to offer safe sailing opportunities to people with disabilities," said Mr. Scott Finsten, Harbour Master of Ocean Marina Yacht Club.
A modern two-person performance dinghy, the SV14 is designed for people with disabilities and is the result of a global collaborative design and build effort initiated by Peter Jacops, founder of Disabled Sailing Thailand, lead by Simonis Voogd Design and built by FarEast Yachts in China.
"This is an exciting development by OMYC, and I commend them and Mr. Kirati Assakul, Director of Ocean Property Co., Ltd. who initiated the idea, on their vision and desire make sailing more accessible. I will be working with the OMYC team as well as Disabled Sailing Thailand (the official para sailing body in Thailand), to kick start the class in Thailand with a view to hosting the first Thailand Open Parasailing Championship at next year's Top of the Gulf Regatta," commented Mr. William Gasson, Co-Chairman of the Top of the Gulf Regatta Organising Committee.
Representing the Thai Paralympic Committee, Ms. Narumon Subsri was present at the official announcement of the SV14 purchase during the recent OMYC Boat Show.
"While we look to the future and possibility of Thailand having an official Para Sailing Team, our immediate goals are to install the fleet at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, establish the class in Thailand, and offer sailing opportunities for people with disabilities," added Mr. Finsten.
For more information about Ocean Marina Yacht Club, visit www.oceanmarinayachtclub.com
For more information about the 2019 Top of the Gulf Regatta, visit www.topofthegulfregatta.com