Sailing is one of very few sports in which having a physical disability does not have to be a disadvantage and it is the mission of the Even Keel Project to spread the word (and get people out on the water).

The Even Keel Project operates six beautiful Artemis 20 racing
keelboats – the same design as used by record-breaking quadriplegic solo sailor, Hilary Lister.

Designed by Simon Rogers along America’s Cup yacht lines,
these boats are highly adaptable for teaching, training and racing by
both disabled and able-bodied sailors.

At last Friday’s first-ever UK Open Day, held in Cowes in association with partners Artemis Investment Management and UKSA, the Managing Director of The Even Keel Project, David Rutter,  outlined the Project’s plans for 2010, including:

• Showcasing the Artemis 20 at the IFDS Disabled World Sailing
  Championships at Medemblik, Netherlands in July
• The
  launch of the Artemis Even Keel Challenge that is being raced over
  three days during Cowes Week 2010
• The establishment of Even Keel Project centres of excellence in Boston
  Mass (USA), Rotterdam and in Poland.
• The signing of a long-term agreement with UKSA in Cowes, Isle of Wight, as The Even Keel Project’s UK base.

Dave Rutter thanked the Project’s supporters and his team, saying:

“We have achieved so much during the brief time we have been afloat. Trying to get new ideas and projects established is never easy during the best of times let alone while a recession has been in full flow, so for the project to have achieved so much in 2009 can only be down to the generosity and faith of our sponsors and hard work from all our staff. “

Try Sailing

The project’s ‘Try Sailing’ season, starts on Thursday 15th April and has been created for disabled groups and individuals who would like to try sailing in a performance keelboat. UKSA is currently taking bookings for Thursday, Friday and Saturday sessions, with promising individuals also having the chance to compete in the Artemis Even Keel Challenge at Cowes Week.

Simon Davies, Director of Youth Development at UKSA, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be getting involved and to be hosting this inspirational project in the UK. Sailing is one of only a few sports where having a physical disability does not have to be a disadvantage. We are delighted to have been able to offer hundreds of sailors access to the water at UKSA through our adaptive sailing programme and that this project will allow us to help hundreds more.”

The Project is especially grateful to its title sponsor, Artemis, for its continued support. Artemis is a dedicated active investment management house, specialising in investments and asset management for retail investors and segregated institutional investment management.

Additional support is always appreciated and donations to the Project are gratefully accepted.

www.theevenkeel.com
www.uksa.org