A new word has been added to the dictionary, “sailbility” (sailing-ability), referred to in Japan as “serability.” The term refers to disabled persons' ability to sail.

Regardless of whether one is disabled, elderly, or simply lacking in sailing knowledge, there is now an easy way to start your enjoyment of the bounding main--specially made dingies that can accommodate anybody.

The boats are called “access dingies,” and are used for teaching purposes. They are specially designed to accommodate disabled or elderly people.

Sea lovers around Ise Bay in Mie Prefecture came up with the idea to provide access dingies for the handicapped 5 years ago, and formed an “Access Dingy Committee,” which has been going strong ever since.

Thanks to their work, it has now gotten to the point that disabled sailors are taking part in dingy races around the bay on their own, under the enthusiastic slogan “Now we play to win!”

Born to sail ! Disabled compete in dingy race (Photo: Haruki Kato)

The idea to create a Serabirity organization in Mie Prefecture was originally floated at the Nagano Special Olympics in 2005. Donations were collected in Mie to buy access dingies to be utilized by people with disabilities.

Following that, the Ise Bay Sports Center Marina (in Tsu, a seaside town in Mie where a National Sports Festival is held) was approached, to obtain permission for the use their facilities for the “Tsu Serability” group.

Kyoko Sakamoto, who enthusiastically supported the group, pushed for the establishment of a certified organization to back the project.

At first Ms Sakamoto was at a loss as to how to organize the project because she was a printing company owner and had never been in a sailing boat, but with a little effort, she came up with a good team of supporters with a wealth of sailing experience.

The Ise Bay Sports Center lent strong support as a base for the new group and soon they were attracting many disabled and elderly people who wanted to learn how to sail.

Last year’s teaching program was held every weekend from April through November. Disabled people who were hesitant at first gradually began to awaken to the joys of the sea, and worked hard to improve to the level where they could take part in races both within and outside Mie Prefecture.

Today participants include a 50 year old man who became paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident, and a sight impaired gentleman who receives instructions by wireless radio on what moves to make in a race.

According to the Japan Access Class Association, the word “sail-bility” (Serabirity) was originally coined in the United Kingdom. In Australia too, access dingy sailing is a popular pastime for the disabled and is referred to as a “barrier free” sport.

"Serabirity Japan" was established in Osaka in 2001. Mie Prefecture has three Serability group locations – Ise, Tsu, and Kawage, all of which cooperate.

The boatyard at the Ise Bay Marina Sports Center where six Serability boats are stored waiting for the start of the season. (Photo: Haruki Kato)

The access dingy cannot easily be overturned. This has lead it to be used by a variety of disabled persons, who need to sit in various positions in order to sail the craft. This means a wide range of people, including the elderly can enjoy sailing.

The Tsu Serability group is supported by The Nippon Foundation, which helped with the purchase of access dingies so that the disabled can enjoy their sailing lessons in the spacious “classroom” of Ise Bay.

On practice days for the disabled, a large volunteer support staff is required, including sailing coaches, stand-by rescue craft, and other personnel, but everyone pitches in to create an enjoyable atmosphere for the participants in this picturesque location.

A celebration of the widening serabirity circle of sailing friends and sea lovers in Tsu, Mie Prefecture (Photo: Haruki Kato)

Ms Sakamoto, who had never stepped on a sailboat before helping to organize the Tsu disabled sailing group, now enjoys the occasional spin around Ise Bay in an access dingy.

Today, she and her associates are planning to celebrate the five years of their program by organizing their dream of a national sailing event in Tsu in the near future.

(This article is based on an original story by Haruki Kato)