About IDSA
The IDSA has been in existence since 1982. It is a National Organisation affiliated to the Irish Sailing Association, with responsibility for the promotion and development of sailing for people with disabilities in Ireland.
Our aim is
- To provide the necessary support for people with disabilities to sail.
- Encourage sailing as an activity, primarily for pleasure, but also to facilitate those who desire to develop their competitive potential.
- Lower the age at which people with disabilities can sail.
- Develop and foster team spirit between able bodied and those with disabilities, through leisure and competitive sailing.
Almost thirty years later, IDSA members are involved in all levels of the sport, from regular club racing, through international championships, to Paralympic campaigns.
To encourage yacht clubs and sailing clubs to provide facilities for disabled sailors to participate in the sport, the Sailforce Burgee will be awarded to clubs showing a positive and tangible commitment towards access for persons with a disability. By expanding the facilities countrywide, the IDSA will be able to accommodate larger number of potential sailors.
Unfortunately we never had a youth sailing programme, specific to children with disabilities, and as a result we didn't have a flow of new members coming through on a regular basis. To address this issue we approached the management committee of KYC with a view to getting a programme up and running.
In 2009 this dream came to fruition when a summer sailing programme for children with disabilities was set in Kinsale Yacht Club. The idea of the programme is to create a centre of excellence for children with disabilities to go sailing. They would build up their basic skills and confidence and would then progress to the mainstream children's sailing programme in the club.
The idea is not to create a ‘special' stream for the children long term but to prepare them for participating in the usual club programme and therefore, mixing with their peers who do not have disabilities, where the focus is on sailing not disability.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the IDSA, either to try out sailing or to help us introduce others to your favourite sport, please do get in touch with us. We look forward to welcoming you to the team.
To quote one disabled sailor: 'Sailing is the only sport I've ever tried which actually makes me feel less, rather than more disabled.'