About Sailability Tokyo
We want everyone to enjoy the water, regardless of age, disability or experience. We promote sailing with the Hansa (Access Dinghy).
Sailability Tokyo promotes sailing with the Hansa (Access Dinghy). Age, disability and experience do not matter. Everyone can enjoy the water.
We hold regular events in Tokyo. We welcome anyone who wants to try sailing for the first time, and people who would like to help with our activities.
About Sailability
Sailability is a club activity for enjoying the sea and lakes on the Access Dinghy, a boat with a universal design.
It started in the UK in the 1980s. The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) led the effort so that people with disabilities could enjoy sailing too. In 1991 it spread to Australia and joined the “sailing that anyone can do” movement built around the Access Dinghy.
Chris Mitchell, the designer of the Access Dinghy, called for “Sailing for Everyone”. Under this idea, the activity has spread around the world, including Australia, the UK, the USA, France, the Netherlands, China, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Japan. In 2013 the Access Dinghy was renamed the “Hansa” and became the Hansa class.
Why the Hansa is safe
- A weighted keel: The Hansa has a centerboard with lead ballast at the bottom. Fixed all the way down, it works as a keel. The Hansa is a keelboat, not a dinghy.
- It rights itself: Like a seesaw, the more the boat heels, the stronger the keel pulls it back upright. When the wind pushes the boat over, less wind hits the sail, so the boat stays stable even in strong wind.
- Easy reefing: A roller-furling system lets you make the sail smaller with a simple turn.
Three safety rules
- Always wear a life jacket
- Always lower the keel all the way and lock it with the pin
- Make the sail smaller (reef) to match each sailor’s condition and ability
Summarized from TELLTALE September 2019 Volume 19 and the Sailability Tokyo activity manual