DoSomething Day: Volunteer sailing program helps get people with a disability onto the water

ON DoSomething Day it’s time to emulate the volunteers who make our suburbs great - such as those who got Alyse Saxby to sail, despite her disability.

• DoSomething Day’s official website
• DoSomething near you
• Sandra Sully backs DoSomething Day
• Your Local Club

WATCHING Alyse Saxby deftly sail her small boat across the water, you can see she was born for it.

But the two-time gold medallist at the Special Olympics, who has an intellectual disability, may not have had her chance to shine if it were not for a group of volunteers sailors who donate their skills and time for a great cause.

DoSomething Day on June 15 is a national day to celebrate such volunteering in all its forms.

Launched by NewsLocal newspapers, the DoSomething charity and Your Local Club, it urges everybody to do something positive.

At age 15, ten years ago, Saxby got her start in sailing through the Integrated disAbled Sailing, The Royal Motor Yacht Club and Sailabilty programs offered to students at Pittwater High School.

Alyse Saxby at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. Picture: Braden Fastier

The program encourages students with mental and physical disabilities to learn to sail, recreationally and, in Saxby’s case, competitively.

The moment she floated out onto the water, her coach Bob Hamilton knew she had a gift.

“You can see her eyes glisten whenever sailing is mentioned,” the 70-year-old veteran said.

“When she first went out, she did so well, she had a natural instinct for it,”

“She is in control of the boat, she is the skipper, seeing her develop from when she first went out until now — it’s been truly amazing.

“Some people would say that that’s a lot to put on someone like Alyse, but she has done it every time.”

Alyse Saxby, 26, has learnt to sail despite her disability. Picture: Braden Fastier

Defying expectations is another natural gift of Saxby, with Hamilton recalling the first time she sailed the challenging 420 craft, which can easily capsize.

“When she first went out, she was with a very competent sailor chap, and she did so well, we wanted to see if she could handle the changes, and she stood up and hoisted the spinnaker, I didn’t think it was possible. I was too busy sitting in my boat crying as she was sailing, I was so emotional.”

Volunteers said Alyse Saxby was a natural on the water Picture: Braden Fastier

Saxby has continued to achieve the impossible, with two gold medals and a silver medal from three Special Olympic Games; she has travelled the world thanks to her skill and passion for sailing.

“I love being on the water,” she said.

There have been plenty of volunteers who have helped the 25-year-old along the way.

From yacht clubs offering space to dock, sailors lending their boats often, and the amazing fundraising efforts to get her to three Olympics in Greece, China and Los Angeles.

“The volunteers, they are something else,” Hamilton said.

“They don’t get any money, that’s for sure, but they delight in seeing the sailors perform. Our success as sailors has been in great part due to their efforts.”

To get involved in DoSomething Day simply do a good deed on the day or volunteer in your community and post a photo sharing your efforts with the hashtags #dosomethingday or #giveyourbest

For more information, go to dosomethingday.com.au