Wheelchairs on Water - the Wheelyboat project

To support disabled sailing for wheelchair users at Castle Semple Loch Gryffe Valley Rotary purchased a special powered Wheelyboat to enabled those in wheelchairs to get out onto the water.


WHEELCHAIRS ON WATER

Gryffe Valley Rotary has worked in recent years with Muirshiel Country Park to develop sailing for the disabled on Castle Semple Loch. Providing a hoist to lift sailors from a wheelchair into a boat helped Castle Semple to gain Centre of Excellence status under the RYA Sailability Scheme (the first in Scotland). Last year, a specially adapted dinghy for disabled sailors was procured, which was formally handed over by the Princess Royal. All the feedback from disabled children and adults who have been able to get out of their wheelchairs onto the water has been extremely positive an experience that the able-bodied can take for granted.

We recognised that there remains a group of disabled people who are unable to leave their wheelchairs and are thus unable to get out in a boat. The solution is a special motor launch with a ramp - a Wheelyboat - which enables wheelchairs to move directly onto the boat and hence onto the water. Gryffe Valley Rotary has worked hard with the support of The Wheelyboat Trust to assemble from a range of sources the not inconsiderable funds necessary to purchase such a boat, complete with outboard engine and launching trolley.
 

The boat was launched by Olympic sailor Shirley Robertson and is now in regular use. Groups wishing to take advantage of this facility should contact Clyde Muirsheil Park at castle Semple Loch or the Rotary Club.

(ALL fields required)

Your email address will not be displayed, once the comment has been approved.

To reduce spam, http:// and www. are not allowed.

'What We Do' Main Pages:

The 2023-24 Gryffe Valley Rotary competition for Young Chef was sponsored by the Fox and Hounds, Houston, the venue of the club's meetings.

Young Chefs from Gryffe High, St Benedict’s High and St Columba’s School met in Gryffe High on the 29th November to compete in the first stage of this Rotary GB and I competition

more  
2023/4 Club competition

The first round of this national competition was held in St Columba’s School, Kilmacolm on Monday 27th November. Seven teams competed, four in the Intermediate age category and three in the Senior category

more  

Climate Change series- eminent speakers from around the UK in the months leading up to and following the COP26 summit in Glasgow in November 2021

more  
Young Writer - Gryffe Valley winners at District and National
2022-23 event now underway!!

Despite Covid the club has maintained its competitions and projects with local schools Hundreds have taken part and enjoyed some success at local, District and National levels!

more  

PLEASE USE THIS QR CODE TO MAKE A DONATION TO CURRENT ROTARY PROJECTS AND CAUSES.

more  

Long distance walking route - the length of the Gryffe Valley from the source of the river near Loch Thom to Linwood

more  

To encourage walking in the local environment, we are promoting local walking groups, publishing local walking routes and creating the Gryffe Valley Way, a walking route the length of the River Gryffe.

more  

The club has now spent more than £278,000 since its formation in 1995.

more  

To support disabled sailing for wheelchair users at Castle Semple Loch Gryffe Valley Rotary purchased a special powered Wheelyboat to enabled those in wheelchairs to get out onto the water.

more  
Getting ready for the Climbzone!

The club organises outings for groups of Renfrewshire Young Carers, with activities followed by a meal and drink. Some years we visited Xscape at Braehead, Hillington for the electric go-karts, and then Castle Semple Loch

more