Disabled Sailing Thailand takes quadriplegic girl sailing in Pattaya

Nantini Dhoowa sailing on the 25 foot Platu “Wikki” off Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Pattaya.

A group of people recently gave up their time and expense to give Nantini Dhoowa the chance to realize a dream. “Nina” is severely disabled (a quadriplegic) but nevertheless remained fully committed to going sailing. She chose not to experience a 42-foot cruising yacht will all amenities, but rather a Platu, a 25-foot racing yacht with no amenities, just a lot of ropes. This outing was the perfect way to experience sailing after she followed an intense theoretical sailing course with sailing instructor James Mutter. The Disabled Sailing Thailand volunteers are now building an SV14 accessible sailing boat which Nina and other sailors with disabilities will be able to sail through joysticks controls.

Frank Bruno the world-famous boxer, will be holding a charity evening at the Amari hotel on the 3rd of November, the profits of this charity evening will go to three designated charities of which Disabled Sailing Thailand is one, so please come support them.

Thanks go to Scott Finsten, (marina manager of Ocean Marina Yacht Club) for arranging to provide marina facilities free of charge; Peter Jacops, (Blue Peter Marine) for arranging the complicated off-water arrangements; James Mutter, (Sailquest), for providing the “on-water” arrangements Wikki Nualkahair for generously providing the Platu 25 yacht; Doug Smith and Kev Scott for modifying the boat to accept Nina’s wheelchair; Grant Atkinson, at the North sails repair loft, for modifying sails to suit the trip free of charge; Nina, for being brave and adventurous.

For more information, visit www.disabledsailingthailand.com.