I live with a spinal injury and mental health issues
About me…
I’ve been attacking this Round Britain and Ireland challenge since August 2022. Trilleen got bumped while being launched at Inverness Marina this spring and I’m waiting for a new mast. It’s incredibly frustrating, and ongoing delays mean that I now won’t complete the task in 2023. I am however determined to complete the challenge so… stand by…
I’m raising funds for the Andrew Cassell Foundation because they did so much for my rehabilitation after complications of a spinal injury left me in a nursing home for seven years, and broadly in a very dark and depressed place.
This sail is in part a way of cementing my rehabilitation, but also a way of exploring and shaping a new hope and a new future.
Learn More about where Ian and Sailing Trilleen is…
-
Waiting is part of sailing
Waiting is part of sailing. For weather, for tide through refit and during postponements of a race’s start. In all these I and every sailor, wait in eager expectation of the moment at which our vessel again cleaves the water, a growing wake behind her. These waits are mostly short, or at least have a…
-
The disability pilot for the Caledonian Canal
This guide is designed to help open up what can be one of the most accessible waterways in Britain to a wider group of users who have disabilities or other reasons for additional needs for accessible washing and access facilities.
-
Boatyard disasters
An incident during Trilleen’s recent launch has resulted in unrecoverable damage to her rig. This means I won’t be continuing my Round Britain and Ireland sail until she has a new mast in place. I’m still working through he full impact of the schedule changes and will keep you all up to date here and…
Videos from SailingTrilleen
Solo Round Britain and Ireland
Sailing solo Round Britain and Ireland is one of the biggest sailing challenges available in home waters. I’m doing with disabilities which affect my mood, mobility and continence which make it an even bigger challenge.
I’m sailing in Trilleen, my aged Vancouver 27 who is on a rehabilitation journey of her own, an 8.5m yacht with a long keel making for a stable and safe sailing platform.
Trilleen and I have planning to sail outside the waypoints for the RORC Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland race. I began in August 2023. After sailing round Ireland I broke the trip at Islay before moving to Inverness for the winter. Unfortunately a launching disaster also broke the trip when my mast was damaged early in 2023 d
I’ll also be providing disability access advice to waterside locations. Many older people stop sailing because of age acquired disability like arthritis – and young families often find navigating the waterside area with toddlers challenging. Good access benefits everyone…
Donations are via Crowdfunder which accepts all debit and credit cards. Funds raised go direct to the Andrew Cassell Foundation shortly after you give.
About the Andrew Cassell Foundation
The Andrew Cassell Foundation is a unique charity that helps disabled people reach maximum independence on the water as sailors. Using racing training, advanced coaching and skilled mentoring the Foundation enables and equips people to take up or resume sailing as a sport for life.
The Foundation makes outsize impacts on the lives and rehabilitation journeys of those who participate in its training. In my case it has been a critical part of my returning to independent living.
