'Making Magical Memories'
Quietly our sport is doing great things for the disadvantaged...
I make, and will continue to make, no secret of the fact that sailing is a power for good and my support of disabled sailing in all its forms, knows no bounds. The great news is that in the last few years, by raising issues front and centre and using this platform for good, things have changed. The Paralympic bid is strong, or as racing sailors might say ‘super-strong,’ and there’s huge hope there that the IPC will give disabled sailing the biggest boost ever in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032.
But on a daily basis I am reminded of incredible works that go on largely un-noticed by dedicated individuals up and down the country to give those who have had few advantages in life the chance to experience what we all rather take for granted. I’m certain that it is the same in other sports, and all credit to those that encourage, but sailing for me has a magical quality of shared inclusivity that tends to lead to extraordinary outcomes of joy, happiness, self-worth, belief and camaraderie.
Last weekend, in glorious sunshine on the Solent (it’s always sunny in Cowes), my good friend Murray MacDonald, the current Intellectual Impairment World Champion at the 2025 World Sailing Inclusion Games, hosted a group of autistic families for four days that he described as “making magical memories” on the Isle of Wight.
Autism On The Water (AOTW) provides free of charge sailing for people with autism and their families across both Scotland and the South Coast. It’s been commented on as a unique charity of its kind, with no plans or structures other than simply getting out on the water whether sailing or just simply motoring around. All credit to them. I like that.
While the Isle of Wight festival roared loudly up the river, autistic families from the Island were heading to Pontoon View Bar at the Cowes Yacht Haven to be greeted by Murray, now a well established and respected sailor in his own right, and taking them on their little adventure. Hot temperatures were on the cards but this didn’t stop Murray welcoming a total of 26 people - all of whom, apart from two families, had never accessed AOTW.
Murray told me: “We hadn’t used the boat for a while since our first open day and I was determined to get it out and used, so I jumped on a last minute Caledonian Sleeper from Helensburgh, got to Cowes, camped on the boat and spent perhaps the most happiest days I’ve ever had in Cowes - 26 people, all families with autistic individuals made life changing memories, and although we did just trips up the River Medina as I was managing the boat on my own during the day, they still got so much enjoyment out of it, taking in new surroundings and also connecting with their community and of course getting to drive the boat even if they did try and steer it right at a Red Funnel Ferry!”
The AOTW South Coast base has been heavily supported by Cowes Town Waterfront Trust who have provided AOTW with a free pontoon berth at Cowes Yacht Haven to operate their Community Sailing programs and Murray paid tribute to Daniel Jehan who has been their “rock.”
“Dan’s generosity and incredible support has been truly the real magic behind the success of all this, he’s been absolutely fantastic to work with and I honestly from a personal perspective cannot thank him and also the team at Cowes Yacht Haven enough - they are a incredible team and always go out of their way to help”.
Two VIP Guests were welcomed aboard for a special evening trip with AOTW - Anna-Louise Felstead and her autistic son Freddie were given a very special voyage in recognition of gratitude to Anna-Louise who had raised £4,000 for AOTW through the auctioning of paintings she had painted herself during the recent Grand Prix in Monaco.
“Anna-Louise’s generosity in raising this money for us has been a huge boost to us, we only met her at our event in May when she booked her slot 1 hour before it began, she has then become a dear friend and it’s been truly amazing to follow her work and of course having Freddie on the boat as we headed for Osborne Bay in the sunshine was just magic”.
Murray also praised the amazing staff at Pontoon View Bar after this sail - he explained “when we got back, Freddie really wanted a snack, so we got him some chips, but unfortunately, they brought out spicy ones and they had just closed the kitchen, he got a little stressed with this, but in a true act of amazing kindness, Maisie who is one of the managers took them back and swapped them for normal ones, it’s great to see hospitality establishments being so Autism aware”.
Murray also makes new friends from doing these trips, one of which was Laura and her son Bruce, they became friends instantly and Murray took them for an unofficial trip up to the Folly where they enjoyed a Hot Chocolate together and Murray also praised the staff at the Folly for attending to what Bruce needed to make him comfortable. “Laura and Bruce are for sure friends for life” he said.
So what next for AOTW? Murray’s currently on his way home to Helensburgh and then up to Oban to take part in the Round Mull Race with his closest friend Lee, then it’s the charity regatta taking place from Craobh and Crinan with 10 boats entered and approx. 30 autistic families expected for free of charge boat trips, then it’s back to Cowes to take part in the 200th Cowes Week.
As for Murray himself, he’s looking forward to getting back in his 2.4 and continuing his journey to one day compete in the 2.4 worlds, he also will be returning to the World Sailing Inclusion World Championships this year in Portugal and is delighted that his wife Kirsty will be coming to support him - “Kirsty has been my rock and an incredible person, I’m away a lot and I’m so grateful she gives me the freedom to go off and do what I do, so to have her in Portugal whilst I’m racing will be great”.
Originally, Murray had planned to race the 2.4 at this event but due to not enough interest from other 2.4s, Murray will be trying to retain the Intellectual Impairment title once again sailing the ILCA 6 “it’s not a boat I like, but there’s two reasons, one because the 2.4 class aren’t supporting the event which is very sad to see and two, my dear friend Hannah Stodel is really working all hours round the clock to promote this event and especially the Intellectual/Cognitive impairment category, so I want to support her as much as I can by making this work”.
You see, it’s not all about gilded professionals and Trumpian CEO’s sucking up airtime. Sailing is a wonderful sport that can do so much. If you can, please support Autism on the Water this summer and give kids and families the chance to experience our sport. The link is below:
www.autismonthewater.org.uk/donate
Magnus Wheatley