Stories from Hobart Winds of Joy 2020

Winds of Joy is again making waves in the lives of young people in Hobart and Tasmania

21 February 2020

By Skipper Kathy 

The weather has blessed us in Hobart this year with sunshine, gentle sea breezes, and our really special Hobart volunteers firing on all four cylinders. We began with a solid crew training session which focused on setting up and packing down the boat; ensuring that our new crew is familiar with Kayle and the relevant procedures.

The mild sunny weather meant that our schools who did our in-dock program due to bad weather last year got out on the water under sail this year. We have taken over 200 students and their carers sailing, and there are some amazing stories, especially from those who have been out with us in previous years.

Dominic who attends the Southern Support School has sailed in three Winds of Joy programs over the years. Before this, he'd never been on a boat before, but from his response, his parents have realized that the place where Dom is happiest and most peaceful is on a boat! They have moved to an area in Hobart where he will be able to work in the boating industry and have arranged a family sailing holiday in the Whitsundays - all because of the impression and change our program made on him.

Sometimes with non-verbal students it can be hard to gauge the impact of a Winds of Joy sail. Chelsea from Southern Support School came on board clinging to a carer on either side of her, and was pulling at her hair, expressing extreme anxiety, which is part of her life. After an hour or so on the River Derwent, she was calmly sitting in the cockpit by herself with a gentle smile on her face. This, according to her carers, was an "awesome transformation".

Thank you Skipper Kathy for sharing just two of the fabulous stories coming about through the Hobart Winds of Joy Campaign 2020

Thank you to the Derwent Sailing Squadron for their continual support of this campaign by hosting us at their marina and providing our yacht Kayle with 2 months of free berthing

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