Forgot your password?RS2H Crew
- Brad Allen
- Stuart Gray
- John Hearne
- Simon Johnson
- George Johnstone
- Cathy Josling
- Tom Murphy
- Brett Pearce
- Brett (Tinks) Pelham
- David Pescud - Skipper
- Mark Thomson
- Kirk Watson
- Lloyd Williams
- Richard Wulff
Brad Allen
Started Sailing at age 5 at Mc Crae Yacht Club on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. My father was a yachty and built my first boat – a magnificent cedar ply Northbridge junior before I could even swim or sail. Learnt to sail over many years at the McCraeYC sailing school until outgrowing the class. From there I advanced to Flying Ants and competed in National and state titles across Australia and multiple Victorian and State sailing squads. Progressed to a skiff moth with my best result 15th and 2nd Junior in the McCrae nationals in 1992. Continued to sail mixed classes such as Lightweight Sharpies and 14' skiffs through the mid 90's(The UNI years) until I was given an opportunity to sail my first keel boat a 32' Swarbrick "Take Five" at Sandringham YC as a trimmer.
Moved to Sydney a year later to work for Channel 7, joined the CYCA and sailed with some ex Victorians on Cutloose – an Adams 13 which was also my first overnight offshore ride in the 97-98 Pittwater to Coffs race. Continued to sail offshore races in Victoria on the Cavalier 37 "BOOTS." Such races included the M2H and Melbourne to Stanley races and finally completed the 2004 S2H on the same yacht with 5 of my fellow flying ant sailors(the ferals) and 3 mature crew (the philistines).
Have spent the last few years sailing in MHYC races, winning 2 annual point score series on the Holland 30' " Pinta" and joining the Mortgage Choice Rumba crew for the Sydney Southport and Coffs offshore series. Was caretaker of Wave Dancer the Radford 35' for owner Rob McConchie and Finished equal 1st points (2nd on count back) in the 2009 Audi Winter Series. Having made good contacts at CYCA in 2009 was asked if interested in helping out SWD on "the new ride" and a potential Hobart campaign. What a ride it is and how could I resist. Sailing with the SWD team has been a great opportunity and an amazing learning experience over the last 2 months. I hope I can continue to contribute to this great cause and get some results with the team on the journey.
Stuart Gray
I started sailing Mirror dinghies in Falmouth, UK when I joined the Sea Scouts. My love of the challenges and exhilaration of sailing has grown throughout my life. The highlights of my sailing career where two Atlantic deliveries as a teenager, racing across the English Channel to France 15 times and various other offshore races. Upon relocating to Australia in 2005 I have enjoyed year round sailing on Endeavour 26, Farr 40, Cookson 12 and Beneteau yachts.
My motivation to ocean race is the mental and physical challenge of working as a team to overcome the elements, whether they are heavy winds or calm waters. On Wot Eva my role is to hoist and retrieve sails and as back up to the crew working on the bow.
I only started sailing on Wot Eva in October this year and am keen to develop my skills in assisting the disabled crew to gain the maximum enjoyment and sense of achievement I am sure they will experience during the rest of our sailing campaign.
In the past I have enjoyed working with disabled people during the completion of my Duke of Edinburgh Gold award. One of the members of our team was autistic and deaf which presented particular challenges during our 50mile trek across Dartmoor. During the expedition I learnt basic sign language and began to appreciate the challenge the member faced in not only completing the tasks but in communicating his ideas and needs. I found that assisting him to achieve his goals was as rewarding as completing the award for myself.
In a recent 21 hour offshore race Wot Eva came in the top five which just goes to show that having disabled members of the team has no impact on performance or success. I look forward to the challenges ahead in this seasons campaign.
John Hearne
John has been sailing for many years and is a qualified sailmaker. He has started in 12 Sydney Hobart Races and finished 9.
This will be his 6th Syd-Hobart Race with Sailors with Disabilities. He has competed in almost every race on the eastern seaboard of Australia as well as numerous ocean races in Asia.
For this years Rolex Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race, John's responsibilities on the boat will primarily be Navigation and overall sail trim/Sail selection. He will work with David on race strategy and weather for the trip.
Simon Johnson
I have been highly involved in sailing from an early age, beginning my sailing days in Wicklow Sailing Club, and in recent years the Royal Irish Yacht Club (Dun Laoghaire). Throughout my early years I took to the seas around Ireland in numerous boats including; mirrors, lasers, laser twos, 420's and Shipman 28s.
Over a number of years I have participated in many challenging and exciting campaigns around Europe as a bowman, on boats ranging in size from 30 to 80 feet, including a Mills 43, a Shipman 72 and a RP 78. I have also completed many offshore races around Europe, most recently the Middle Sea Race on a Volvo 70 and since arriving in Australia, the Cabbage Tree Island Race on a RP 55.
The highlight of my sailing career to date was winning the Rolex Commodores' Cup in the UK, in August 2010. I was bowman on the highly successful Ker 39, ANTIX, winning the event and picking up Irish Boat of the Year.
Having recently made the move to Sydney, I am delighted to be participating in my first Sydney Hobart Yacht Race alongside the Sailors with disABILITIES crew. I look forward to the challenges that the race will bring!
George Johnstone
Started my sailing carer at the age of 8, dingy sailing on the lochs of Scotland and transitioned through dingies into yachts competing in my first offshore races in my mid to late teens. My sailing highlights include, Hornet worlds, Transchannel racing in the UK and the offshore racing in Australia including the Rolex Sydney to Hobart race. Ocean racing is not for everyone, for me it is a "peaceful sanctuary" away from the busy modern world where man and boat can push to the limits for speed, combined with a great respect for the power of mother nature.
I first sailed with SWD in the lead up to, and including the 2004 S2H, and since then have competed regularly on the boat. What makes me return again and again to the SWD program is the opportunity to sail with great people on a level playing field where sailing ability and 'mateship" are important and disability is not a consideration.
Woteva will be competing in the S2H this year not only to demonstrate that people of all abilities can partake in sport at all levels but to highlight the excellent work of SWD in creating an all the year round programs for the development of children and adults with DisAbilities
Tom Murphy
Like many people I started sailing as a kid on dinghies, in the Mediterranean sea. After moving to Australia in 2004 I started racing Lasers then a few years later I got introduced to yachting at the Sydney Amateurs Sailing Club. After a couple of years racing in Sydney harbour, I was looking for more sailing opportunities.
I first heard of Sailors with Disabilities during the 2009 Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race when I was following, with interest, their updates and events online via Twitter, then later I watched the documentary on SBS "Disable Bodied Sailors". I went to read more about the organisation on how I could join the crew and help with the organisation.
I later found out that SwD have had hearing impaired crewmen in the past. Being hearing impaired presents extra challenges, notably when it comes to communication. People like to joke that being deaf is actually an advantage as you don't get to hear the over enthusiasm from the back of the boat !
Nevertheless, I started sailing with SwD in early 2010 during the Wednesday twilights then the Winter series. Using a combination of hand signs for communication with the crew when the wind is deafening, I quickly integrated with the very welcoming team.
I got my first offshore race opportunity during the 2010 Sydney Gold Coast race. The first night surfing down waves in pitch black with strong loud wind was an exciting adventure.
On top of the racing program, the Try Sail days which involves taking out disabled kids sailing, provides a lot of fun and satisfaction introducing kids to the activity we love.
What keeps me going back offshore is the unique sensations of being on the water, your disability and any life issues stay onshore and you get to enjoy spectacular sights of the ocean and laugh with a friendly crew.
Brett Pearce
Although born with Spina Bifida, Brett does not have a lot of the problems associated with the condition and has full use of his arms and legs despite his parents being told he would never walk when he was born. He joined SWD and started sailing in 2001 after a lifestyle change prompted by medical tests revealed damage to his Kidneys.
Sailing has become a passion for Brett and he very much enjoys being out on the water. After a number of years racing with SWD, Brett and his wife Karen bought their own yacht in 2006 which they race competitively throughout the year including Two divisional wins in the Audi CYCA Winter Series in 2007/2009 and Two Divisional wins in the Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta in 2009/2010 including taking home the major prize in 2009. Along with this he races in the offshore races with SWD and other yachts including crewing in the Rolex China Sea Race this year on an Archambault A40RC which placed 3rd in division. Brett holds certificates for Sea Safety Survival and Radio Operators and will be making his 4th trip to Hobart in 2010.
Brett (Tinks) Pelham
My first real introduction to sailing came from my Grandfather when he invited me out on "The Gypsy" a yacht that he had crewed for 50 years. They sailed up and down the Derwent River and even took her as far as Wine Glass Bay. I was hooked, so when the opportunity came my way I purchased a Sabot with my paper run money and raced it out of Lindisfarne Sailing Club. That was it for me I loved this sport and wanted to experience all I could. From there I always yearned to sail on yachts and throughout my sailing career I have achieved this.
Some of the more memorable moments in sailing have been:
* Learning how to sail the sabot * Competing in my first Rolex Sydney to Hobart in 2001 and sailing up the Derwent River my home town. * Meeting my wife at Hamilton Island Race Week * David Pescud letting me helm Kayle across the finishing line in the 2007 Rolex Sydney to Hobart
To me off shore yacht racing is a whole adventure. From the very start when you are chosen to crew on a yacht to the end when you are sitting in a bar drinking and reminiscing about the race. Or in the middle of the night when the breeze is howling and you are on the foredeck thinking what on earth am I doing here it is still fun.
This year, on Wot Eva my role is not clearly defined but I guess I will live on the foredeck, changing sails in the middle of the night or day, packing spinnakers, helping at the mast or being let back in the cockpit to trim.
Although I do not carry a disability myself, the "Sailors with disABILITIES" program has given me the opportunity to help and watch people sail a yacht with the determination to be the best. In last year's Rolex Sydney to Hobart I worked on the foredeck with a double amputee. He basically worked the mid bow of the yacht. No matter what the conditions were he was always there backing me up and nothing was ever too much trouble. During that race I had the opportunity to work with a blind guy who was the mainsail trimmer. During a quiet time I ask him how he knows when to ease the main if the breeze is increasing and basically he told me that he feels the heel of the yacht or he hears the water running past the toe rail of the yacht. That is truly amazing. These people are amazing and they are often more dedicated and more determined than an able bodied sailor.
David Pescud
David Pescud, captain of the Sailors With disAbilities yacht, is an interesting guy. He's one part, Old Man Of The Sea, one part, blunt instrument. He's a man used to winning against the odds.
He can't read or write and left school at 15. Yet he retired a multi-millionaire in his early 40s to devote his life to his first love, sailing.
More particularly, to devote himself to creating the opportunity for disabled people, especially kids, to learn to sail.
The SBS documentary, "disAble Bodied Sailors" follows David on his search for a disabled crew to take part in the one race that every sailor wants to win; the Rolex Sydney to Hobart.
David captained a disabled crew in the notorious 1998 Rolex Sydney to Hobart. In this race of the 115 yachts that started the race only 44 crossed the finish line. Fifty-five sailors had to be airlifted injured from distressed yachts. Five boats sank. Six men died. And, what happened to David's boat of disable-bodied sailors? It won its class.
In the post mortem of the race all of David's safety requirements and rules were adopted as standard fro blue water racing.
David's a man on a mission. To show that disabled people can take their place alongside the able-bodied, "ABs" as he calls them, and have their abilities acknowledged ahead of their disabilities.
"Sailing is the great equaliser. When the chips are down in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart, everyone's a cripple. In the pitch dark of a moonless night, everyone's blind. In a howling storm, everyone's deaf. When the boat's deck is riding at 90 degrees to the water no-one can walk, everyone scuttles around on their bum."
Mark Thomson
First up, no I was not involved in the 1998 Telstra Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race. That year I was sailing my dinghy (an NS14) on Lake Burley Griffin.
My first real introduction to sailing came when I started to sail on an open 30ft yacht (Kalori) that was owned by the high school that I went to (Pittwater High). I sailed on this yacht while at school. After leaving school I moved on to Dragons, Etchells, Laser's, NS14's etc.
Some of my more memorable moments in sailing have been:
* Racing a dinghy (NS14) that I designed and built. The first time I launched her gave me a real feel of achievement and satisfaction. * My first Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race in 2001 with David Pescud of "Sailors with disabilities" and his crippled crew. It is 10 years on and I am still on the same program. * Helping some good friends win an Audi Q5 in the Sydney Harbour Regatta 2009 * The first time I took the role of "delivery skipper" from Hobart to Sydney. One does not know what it is like to take on the responsibility of someone else's million dollar boat and the lives of the crew onboard until you do it yourself.
I think offshore yacht racing is a big journey. The journey starts months before the race with long term planning and preparation. When the preparation is done, the next step of the journey involves the start line and the butterflies in one's stomach. Stage three is the race which consolidates months of preparation and simply getting offshore. For most crew the journey ends when after finishing the race they make like bar flies and soak up lots of alcohol. For some like me, there is another part of the journey that involves returning the yacht to her original home port…It's the whole journey, not just the race.
This year, like most years, my role on Wot Eva is not clearly defined. I do not have the role of navigator, trimmer, mast man or other defined position. I will be doing some helming. When not helming I could get bounced around the yacht, i.e. I may help the foredeck or pack spinnakers or trim sails or do a spell on the grinders. What is clear, is that I have to be able to slot into all positions when called upon.
Just a note about the "Sailors with disABILITIES" program. Although I do not carry a disability myself, I turned on the program up late 2001 and have been here ever since. I did my first Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race with a crew that was predominately disabled. Some of the things that I have witnessed since being on the program have been; I have watched a man with one arm prepare a meal for sixteen while at sea many times over with little assistance, I have witnessed other people asking a blind man where stuff is on a the boat, I have seen men with no legs climb into the top bunk while the boat has been inconveniently heeled, etc. These people are tough without being angry, they are positive in character, and more than abled. Next year I will be shacking up a woman who is an incomplete paraplegic. This woman has travelled the world and given lots to others around the world. Abled/disabled, there is a difference, but one is not above the other.
Kirk Watson
Member Kirk Watson is virtually addicted to sailing. He sailed up and down the East Coast of Australia as a child and has owned and sailed his own boats most of his adult life. Kirk is visually impaired; his sight has been affected by the degenerative disease Retinitis Pigmentosa. Kirk's guide dog Tiller helps him get around (yes that is like a Tiller on a boat) and she loves sailing too.
Kirk was introduced to the Sailors with disABILITIES organisation by Mark Thompson, who knew Kirk would really enjoy sailing with the crew. Mark was right and Kirk has done many miles with the boat, including four 'Hobarts'.
"The attitude on the boat is great, the focus is on sailing the boat and it really is about what you can do. When I'm out sailing I feel like my disability is left on the shore, as being on boat is a familiar place and moving around becomes second nature," says Kirk.
"Through Sailors with disABILITIES I've had the opportunity to sail with a lot of different sailors, and to learn from their experiences."
Kirk also helps out on kids days, when he can. This is always fun and inspiring. "It's good to see the kids have such a great time, to see their interest in sailing develop."
Of course Tiller is always popular with kid and adults, because on the boat she is off duty and gets to run around free, but she always keeps a watchful eye on Kirk. When preparing for the last 'Hobart' Kirk volunteered to be the swimmer in the man overboard practice drill. Tiller whined and howled from the moment he jumped overboard until he was safely back on the boat.
Lloyd Williams
Put simply, since starting with SWD this year each and every time I get out onto the water is a highlight. There are too many great moments to mention, such as perfect spinnaker runs at night in clear moonlight through to kids Try Sail days in the summer. Freshest in my mind is that of the recent Cabbage Tree Island race with a fast spinnaker run all the way North to the island followed by a thrilling 11 hour duel with another TP52 yacht all the way back to Sydney.
I have two motivations to do ocean racing: for enjoyment and for the challenge. I can usually be found on the foredeck, with my main role on Wot Eva to being that of mastman - getting drenched on the foredeck during an exciting race makes me feel very much alive, and the completion of every ocean race gives me an immense sense of achievement and satisfaction.
After having done harbour sailing on a classic yacht for three years, I started with SWD with a few Try Sail days at the beginning of this year. Since then I have tried to be involved with SWD every chance that I get, whether it be twilights, harbour racing during the winter, and ocean races. Aside from racing, I very much enjoy participating in volunteer Try Sail days whenever possible - nothing beats seeing the joy on kids' faces while sailing out on Sydney harbour (as I am sure all the wonderful personalities within SWD would agree).
SWD has had a big impact on me this year in that it has changed my way of thinking about life, and what I thought it was possible for me to do, and not just in relation to sailing. I originally thought that I wouldn't be able to progress further with my sailing career due to my hearing disability - I have since joined the sport of ocean racing and I love every minute of it.
Richard Wulff
I started sailing when I was about 5 years old with my family in the Hawkesbury river. By the age of 13 I was given the opportunity to race sabots in Queensland.
My sailing highlights include winning Airlie Beach Race Week with a crew that had never sailed together before, made up of family and friends with everyone sailing just for the fun of it.
I find ocean racing is a natural attraction for me. I enjoy having the opportunity of taking our training, abilities, equipment and boat to it's limit.I am a trimmer on Wot Eva and I quite enjoying training and coaching other crew members on my role so all crew members have the same abilities as I do. It is this sharing of knowledge and skills that ensures the boat is going as fast as possible at all times. Sailing with SWD posses different challenges for me every time we leave to dock because we need to think quickly about manoeuvres and communication to ensure we are capitalising on our crews strengths and managing any weaknesses.