Join Us - VISA-GB

How to get involved

It all sounds great so how do I join? We’re glad you asked! Nothing could be simpler, we are looking for people to join us both on and off the water and all you have to do is follow this link that takes to our contact page, fill in the details and you’re in! Link:https://visa-gb.org.uk/contact/

You don’t have to love sailing! Help Needed

We know not everyone likes being on a boat, so if that’s you we’d like you to get you involved with Visa in other ways. You might be a budding writer or editor? We want people who’d like to be involved with writing blogs, updating web content and social media and doesn’t all have to be about sailing but we’d like it to be about the wider visually impaired community, sports, social, educational and the occasional bit of nonsense.

We will be running some social events, we’re going to be at boat shows and other meetings and presentations, so we need people with event management skills, marketing and PR and why not a bit of cake baking and biscuit making – all gratefully received.

Just want to be a friend, we love it! The more mates we have the better, don’t be shy come and join us as we’re sure you’ll meet like minded people, make friends and enjoy our company on the web, via facebook and face to face.

Your Ideas

What’s the best cure for sea sickness? Sitting under a tree!

At Visa-gb we know a lot of our friends don’t have the easiest time so we think a forum to discuss and consider any idea to make life on and off the water easier. It might sharing some of the wonderful recipes we use on the boat trips, it could a tip on the best way to travel to different locations. Maybe you’ve learnt a great tip for meeting new friends.

What our sailors thought

I have to say… Visa GB without groups like yours, opportunities like this would never be possible. Thank you so much on behalf of all the vi’s and blind people whose lives you have enhanced through providing sailing opportunities.

I have to say the 1-day sailing experience and sleeping on board with Tim, Jenny & Malika was both rewarding and entertaining.

I learnt a lot which now has gone to the depth of my brain, which means I can’t remember what Tim thought of me on the day lol. Joking aside, he did ask me if I knew the bird on the Buoy, I looked confused at him and said no.. He then went on to tell me that anyone would think I did as I was getting “very… not his word” close
to it, lol.

Thank you both Tim and Jenny, you did an amazing job, I can’t believe I took the boat out of Port and actually managed to sail with what little wind there actually was on Saturday.

Jenny for someone who has been dropped in at the deep end, you swam your way to success in my book. You were brilliant. I can’t wait to sail with you both again. The only thing I did find hard…

Was the bed, it was like a slab of concrete lol, I don’t normally struggle as I have plenty of fat, but I did struggle, maybe you get used to it after a few days.

Malika, thank you for your positivity, you would never think that you are completely blind. I enjoyed that chats we had on board.

Charles, was brilliant, up for a laugh and joined in with the banta, thankfully I had backup and we picked on Tim, he he. Thank you for coming onboard and sailing with us Tim. You were great fun and a pleasure to spend time with. All in all an incredible time. Thank you everyone involved with Visa.

Andrew Windsor

This video interview was made by Anita Davies, a first time visually impaired sailor, following a weeks sailing with Visa-gb in Milford Haven. Anita interviewed another novice, Martin Griffiths, who in his own words was very nervous about the idea of sailing, this is what he said:

First time sailing and what it means

“My first sailing trip with VISA GB was to Majorca and it was also my first experience of spending a week on a yacht. I had heard great reports of VISA GB from my visually impaired friends and when a space came up unexpectedly for the MaJorca trip I only hesitated for a moment. Gosh, a whole week on a boat with complete strangers doing something completely new to me. I am so glad that I only hesitated for a moment as the whole week was fabulous. What is not to like? Fresh air, great company and new friends, fabulous scenery and learning to sail. The visually impaired crew were a mixed group of all ages and back grounds and the skipper and first mate gave clear instructions and encouraged all to take part as much or as little as we wanted whilst keeping us safe. Since being diagnosed with Rod and Cone dystrophy 15years ago leaving me with no central vision but a good awareness of shapes, I have been keen to keep pushing out of my comfort zone. Sailing with VISA GB was more than a great, fun holiday, it was inspiring and confidence boosting.” Dee J 2019

First sail with Visa-gb

“I will start by saying that I am registered totally blind, I am 52 years old and love the challenge. The reason why I like sailing with Visa is because you are valued as yourself. We all get a chance to have a go at all aspects of sailing, and no matter how good or bad you are you are never judged or look down upon by anyone. We all have a good laugh and it is a good way to make new friends as well as learning new skills. Because we are a mixed bunch of people and all come from different backgrounds we can learn from each other, we all have different ways of learning and different speeds at which we learn, so anyone and everyone can take part.” Nathalie W 2020.

Why I like sailing with Visa-gb

“This has been the best weeks sailing with visually impaired sailors I’ve ever had”

David Hadaway, mate onboard Visa’s boat at Blind Week 2018

Best Visually Impaired Sailing Experience Ever

“A Very Different sailing organisation that will empower you to take part in a challenging and thrilling sail .And you can make friends for life”

Lofty

“Sailing is fun!
It’s all that you expect it to be.
Sailing with VISA-GB
is that bit more.”

Bruce

“I was a volunteer on a VisaGB sailing trip to Dartmouth in August 2013.
It was an incredible experience.
As a group of sighted and visually impaired sailors we empowered each other. It was a privilege to be part of a team of people who enabled each other to grow, achieve and develop in both skills and confidence.
New friendships and memories were made. It was five days of exhilaration, hard work and laughter. I loved it!”