Background & Novice Sailor Profiles
...A fleet of six Artemis 20 keelboats, each helmed by a qualified UKSA skipper and crewed by one amateur disabled sailor will undertake one of two races each (six boats per race), competing in the first rounds of the Artemis Even Keel Challenge on Sunday 1st August. The top three sailors from each race then go through to the finals on Monday 2nd August to compete for the inaugural Artemis Even Keel Challenge Trophy in what is set to be a highly competitive Pro-Am finale as some hotshot skippers guest helm.

Steve White, Brian Thompson, Nick Rogers, Simon Clay and James Grant are in place together with legendary Cowes sailor and sailmaker, Paralympian Andy Cassell.

The Artemis Even Keel Challenge Novice Sailors:

ADAM ALLEN, 38, Cowes, Isle of Wight
Having been born and brought up with boats and then studying yacht design in Cornwall it was clear that Adam would always work in the sailing industry. He became a sail-training skipper for The Ocean Youth Club, The Sea Cadet Association and The Jubilee Sailing Trust – a role he thoroughly enjoyed.
Ten years ago Adam was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease meaning the discs in his back are progressively failing. Adam has had many high-risk spinal operations including the insertion of two artificial discs. His movement is limited and even walking is extremely painful. 
Sailing gives Adam the great escape he needs. He can forget about the constant pain and just concentrate on the wind and the waves.

ANDREW FARROW, 45, Devizes, Wiltshire
Andrew was paralysed from the chest down in a car accident in 2006 and found the adjustment from a very active life to being wheelchair-bound extremely hard with the ripple effect meaning he had to sell his business and could no longer be the main carer of his two children.
Finding a way to get out on the water was hugely liberating and Andrew can now realise the dream of a lifetime and become a better sailor. Dealing with his own adversities has lead Andrew to a new role coaching people about to face a sudden and dramatic change in their lives due to redundancy, illness or disability. http://www.liveyourpotential.net/

MICHAEL FOALE

As an Isle of Wight resident for many years surrounded by the sea & sailing Michael had never been given the chance to try sailing for himself until the arrival of the Even Keel Project. Michael now enjoys time on the water & has the opportunity to sail with his son who works currently at UKSA

MARK HAUGHEY, 40, Ireland

Having sustained serious injuries in a driving accident at the age of 20, Mark tried many other sports but finds that sailing is the only way that he feels truly independent. His first attempt in the Artemis 20 was very physically challenging. However, on realising and accepting that this would be the case throughout his life, he bought one.

Mark always assumed that his work would offer up the physical and social release he longed for but sailing the Artemis 20 is actually fulfilling him.

SUE HILL, 33, Totland, Isle of Wight

Sue has had Fibromyalgia for 8 years causing restricted mobility, pain in all her joints and extreme fatigue at different levels of severity for all this time.

Sue comes from a family of sailors and hopes that through the Even Keel programme she will be able to sail independently, improve her confidence and learn enough skills to eventually beat her family at their own game!

TERENCE HENLEY HUNTER, 47, Ryde, Isle of Wight

Terence was a self employed builder & maintenance contractor up until about 3 years ago.  He endured an injury of 2 prolapsed discs in his lower spine. This, in turn, compressed the spinal cord and damaged the nerves to my legs. It took 6 months to explore, diagnose and operate.

During the following year Terence went through intense physiotherapy & hydrotherapy while trying to reconstruct his life and business. With the support of his wife and family and the drive to succeed Terence moved on and recently finished restoring a Mirror dinghy. He came to participate in the Even Keel Project via Sailability and is now enjoying the sailing he only dreamt of previously.

TREVOR HUTCHINSON

 A sailor for many years, Trevor now has Parkinson's & this has driven him to experience sailing in the format the Even Keel Project can offer instead of staying ashore & watching others glide past

NATASHA LAMBERT, 13, Isle of Wight

Natasha is 13 years old and has Athertoid Cerebral Palsy affecting all her limbs, but it doesn't stop her love for having a go at anything! She has really enjoyed the sailing she has been doing this last year with the Even Keel Project; thrilling at the speed and being close to the water.  In fact she loves anything to do with the water and recently she's been to the Maldives and snorkled with sharks!

Natasha loves travelling and says her perfect holiday would involve travelling abroad to sail and swim. Natasha has also been climbing and abseiling in the Lake District, and does lots of walking. She has just completed a sponsored walk up Tennyson Down for charity and raised over £2,000 for a walking aid like the one she uses.

At present, Natasha needs assistance in the Artemis 20 but is hoping in the future she will be able to helm a boat unaided with the use of a sip/ puff system like Hilary Lister.

JAMES & CHRISTINE LOOSEMORE – brother & sister

Both James & Christina have a form of  Cerebral Palsy, the introduction to sailing through the even keel project has provided a fantastic base for their personal development and given the whole family some fantastic time on the water, their instant grasp of sailing has inspired many others to become involved and with their natural ability shining through we have not only entered them into Cowes week but provided them the chance to partake in the RYA Multi-class regatta to be held in Rutland this year
 
CRAIG ROSE

Craig suffered a stroke during his early 20's & his life changed forever. As an energetic active young man sport was a large part of his life and the effects of his stroke took this lifestyle away overnight. Through his amazing strength of character and determination Craig has always looked for the positives in his situation and the opportunity to once again partake in a sporting activity has

CLAIRE STEEPLES, 33, Wickham, Hampshire

Claire has severe learning and communication difficulties having sustained brain damage at birth.  Claire is the first young person in Hampshire to move out of a Care Home and be part of the Government's Personalized Social Care Reform Scheme and Claire has a team of Personal Assistants who lend their support for 24 hours a day.

Now she has greater independence, the focus of Claire's life is what she CAN do, rather than what she cannot do. Her enthusiasm and will to succeed is what drives her and The Even Keel Project is a hugely positive step. Claire can often be spotted out on the Solent giving her Instructors high 5's!