And as you gaze out at the boats on the water, you can only admire the skill and ease with which their sailors control their craft, and make the very most of the gorgeous beauty spot.

When I visited Ferry Meadows, I wished I could forget about work, jump in one of the trimarans and run away to sea – or to lake, at least.

But the people who were actually manning the boats were disabled, and enjoying a few precious minutes of freedom from whatever constraints they feel in everyday life.

Eric Vitins (49), who contracted polio when he was a year old and is now in a wheelchair, said: "When I was out in the boat for the first time and the wind caught the sail, it was really quite something. It gave me a real buzz, and that's what sailing can give you. It's a good feeling."

Peterborough Sailability is a new venture, launced jointly by Rotary groups across Peterborough and the Royal Yachting Association, which aims to get disabled people out on the water, and is based on the Rutland Sailability scheme.

"We realised that open air pursuits can give a huge amount of pleasure to people of all disabilities," said the project's committee chairman James Hopgood.

"At the moment, we have people with Down's Syndrome sailing, as well as people in wheelchairs. The rest of the week they might be dependent, but when they come here they can take control, sail and be independent, even though they will have an experienced sailor with them at all times.

"We have one girl who has told us that the hour she spends on the water each Tuesday afternoon is the best hour of her week."

James added that the afternoon I went along, a man with Motor Neurone Disease – the same condition that Professor Stephen Hawking suffers from – had gone for a sail, had a picnic with his wife, and come back to ask if he could have another go as he had enjoyed it so much.

Eric, from Stanground, has taken part in almost every sport, having played disabled basketball at county level.

He said: "I hope this will be a gateway for young disabled people to enter into other disabled groups, and make them realise that there are a wide range of sports you can get involved with if you're in wheelchair.

"There are lot of crossover sports that people in wheelchairs might be better at than able-bodied people, such as archery, which needs excellent upper body strength, for example."

Bryan Rowley (72), of Thurlow Close, Wisbech, added that, although he too had been disabled by polio at a young age, meaning he has to walk with a stick, he had never let his disability get in the way of him living a full, active life.

"I learned to ride a bike before I could walk," he said. "When you are disabled and take part in sport you develop an almost 'iron man' attitude, and feel that what you've done really is a fantastic achievement, and you can push yourself to do more."

Nicola Hampshaw (34) was strolling down Bourges Boulevard one day 14 years ago when she realised couldn't breathe.

Her friend took her to hospital, where she stayed for four months, and was told she had an extremely rare form of asthma. The steroids she had to take for her problem caused severe osteoperosis, which weakened her bones.

She can now only get around on crutches or in a wheelchair.

Nicola said: "Being disabled has actually made me more confident. I realise now that the world isn't going to come to me, and if you want something you have to go out there and get it."

She has been sailing once, and said she loved the experience, and will be back again.

"I wish everything in Peterborough was as easy to access as sailing here is now," she said. "A lot of clubs and places leave a lot to be desired.

"Take Waterstone's in Bridge Street, for example, which hasn't got disabled access to the upper floor. When I raised that with them, they said they'd bring the books down to me.

"But that means I can't browse and shop like everyone else. And to me that's as offensive as a sign on the door saying 'no black people'."

The Rotary has been lent three trimarans, worth £7,000, for this season, and has put about £2,500 of its own cash into the venture, to pay for insurance and safety equipment.

But it is keen for businesses to come forward to donate cash to allow them to run more boats, and to maybe purchase a catamaran of their own.

"The more money we have, the more people we can help to feel what it's like to sail, it's as simple as that," said marketing and publicity manager Rod Sortwell.

"All contributions will be gratefully received. And anyone who wants to volunteer here on a Tuesday is more than welcome as well."

> Peterborough Sailability meets every Tuesday at Ferry Meadows' Gunwade Lake – the sailing lake – between 2pm and 6pm. Any disabled person wanting to go out on the lake is welcome. The first time on the water is free, and sessions after that cost £5. For more details, call Rod on 07720 410452.

Host of sporty activities for kids

CHILDREN and young people with disabilities are being given the chance to take part in a range of sporty activities, thanks to Peterborough City Council.

Activities in the scheme, which goes under the "ability" banner, will include basketball and football, and youngsters will be able to join an existing club after the holidays.
The Peterborough Sharks Basketball Club meets on Saturday mornings during term-time at Peterborough Regional College, where players regularly train and compete against a variety of organisations.

Many of the children who have previously attended the city council's holiday sessions have gone on to join the Sharks.

And keen footballers can train and improve their skills with the city council-run Ability Soccer programme and then choose to join Netherton United FC. Based at the Grange, in Netherton, the club welcomes all ages and abilities.

The club has specialist sessions for children and young people with disabilities, and the team enters tournaments across the county.

Two other Ability activities are cricket and netball, where the intention is to follow the examples of the football and basketball programmes.

It is hoped similar clubs can be organised so that children and young people can enjoy and play sport throughout the year.

Matt Gill, the city council's development officer for disability sports, said: "This is an excellent opportunity for children and young people with disabilities to get involved in a range of sports during the summer holidays."

A programme of summer holiday activities is available from the city council's sports development team on 01733 742540.

> More information on the Sharks basketball club is available by calling Len Fuller on 01733 757822, and for more information about Netherton United and its special sessions, call Simon Dudhill on 01733 571731.

Article by: Jemma Walton, email: jemma.walton@peterboroughtoday.co.uk.