Stay ActiveA-Z of activities - S
Sailing
Andrew Previté competed at the 2004 Open World Championships in Sweden in the 2.4mR Class
Whether just messing about in boats, exploring the coastline or competing as a solo or crew sailor, sailing has a lot to offer. Sailability (a charity within the Royal Yacht Association) offers information on where to sail, a directory of equipment and training for people with disabilities who want to take to the water.
- Royal Yachting Association
- www.rya.org.uk
- Sailability
- www.rya.org.uk/sailability
- Sailability Scotland
- www.ryascotland.org.uk/sailabilitysct
Scuba Diving
Diving offers the opportunity to enter another world. Clubs offer courses for new divers to try out the sport and learn diving techniques and equipment handling. Usually these courses take place in the safer environment of a swimming pool. As safety issues are very important in diving, people with certain conditions will need a medical certificate to be eligible to dive. These are assessed by medical referees from the UK Sport Diving Medical Committee.
- British Sub Aqua Club
- www.bsac.com
- Professional Association of Diving Instructors
- www.padi.com
- Scuba Trust
- www.scubatrust.org.uk
Shooting
Although the UK has tough controls on firearms and the police strictly control the issuing of firearms or shotgun certificates, shooting remains a popular sport in the UK. Different disciplines within the sport include clay pigeon shooting, game shooting, and target shooting with air rifles. Because of the nature of the sport, training and safety issues are maintained to a very high level. Most gun clubs have club guns that newcomers can use for ‘have a go’ sessions before deciding to take things further with a course of lessons.
- British Shooting Sports Council
- www.bssc.org.uk
- Disabled Shooters Group
- www.disabledsg.co.uk
- Disability Target Shooting Great Britain
- www.dtsgb.org.uk
Skiing
Laeti and Julien Favre. Picture courtesy of Oxygene Ski School
People enjoy skiing for many different reasons - the adrenaline from careering down the side of a mountain, the thrill of learning new skills or improving technique or just enjoying the scenery or the après-ski. Most ski resorts have a ski school for people of different levels of ability. Some resorts offer adapted equipment, such as the mono-ski and the bi-ski, which can allow access to the slopes for people with disabilities.
- Ski Club of Great Britain
- www.skiclub.co.uk
- Disability Snowsport UK
- www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk
Sledge Hockey
Sledge hockey is a seated version of ice hockey. Players use specially designed sledges with ice hockey skates bolted to a seat with an extension to support the feet. Players propel themselves over the ice with two metal sticks edged with teeth at one end and shaped into a hockey blade at the other in order to hit the puck. The rules of the game are the same as in ice hockey – so players also need to wear body armour and padding.
- British Sledge Hockey Association (BSHA)
- www.bsha.co.uk
Swimming
Whether enjoying a dip at your local pool or joining a club to swim competitively, the appeal of swimming is obvious. In terms of MS, swimming has many benefits. Water can provide support and cooling which can allow people the opportunity to exercise in a way that might not be possible on land. The Amateur Swimming Association is actively working to encourage its member clubs to be aware of the needs of swimmers with disabilities and to improve access to both facilities and competitions.
Aquafit is a water-based exercise class suitable for any level of fitness.
- Amateur Swimming Association
- www.britishswimming.org
If you've got a new sport you would like to include, groups you have joined or tips you'd like to pass on email the MS Trust's Information Team or ring us on 01462 476700.
