The Hansa Dinghy classes were designed in Australia and specifically for the disabled sailor and proved an instant success. They have been adopted by Frensham Pond Sailability which has 15 Hansa dinghies, both two-person and single-person versions.

The two-person 303 dinghies, helmed by a volunteer ‘buddy’, are ideal for introducing newcomers to sailing. Sailors can then progress to sailing independently in the simpler 2.3 single sail boat, and then, when more experienced, revert back to the 303 but sailing it single-handedly.

 For the sailor with less mobility, there are boats with electrically powered controls to the tiller and the sail-sheets via a joystick.

 Those with a competitive streak can take part in racing which is organised both at Frensham Pond, mostly on Thursday afternoons, and around the UK during the summer season. There is also a 3-day National Championship every year, and Frensham sailors have won the Championship in both the 2.3 and 303 classes in recent years.

More information can be found on the Hansa class (UK) website: www.hansaclass.org.uk