Last updated at 11:46, Thursday, 28 February 2013

A MEMBER of the British Blind Sailing team has sailed the length of Windermere, single handed, to raise funds for the crew’s volunteers. RACHEL HERMOLLE talks to Lucy Hodges, who is registered blind, about her One Lake One Day challenge

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SAILING the length of England’s largest lake single-handed is no mean feat.

But for 37-year-old Lucy Hodges, who is registered blind, the challenge was even greater.

Last Thursday, the British Blind Sailing commodore, took to the helm, in an attempt to navigate the 21 miles up and down Windermere to raise money to help cover the sighted volunteers’ costs to travel to Japan, to compete in the Blind Sailing World Championships in May.

Born with nystagmus, which causes involuntary movement of the eyes, Lucy is unable to see obstacles or even where Windermere’s shoreline is but under the watchful eye of sighted sailor, Ian Shirra, she managed to sail the length of the lake in just five hours.

She explains: “Nystagmus is made worse by tiredness, stress and pressure, so I am extremely proud of myself for managing to complete the challenge.

“We set off from Royal Windermere at 10.30am and headed south through Bowness. The wind was very tricky and in my mind I was wondering if I would make it but with strong words from sighted volunteers Ian and Jonny I was soon in the south lake where the conditions improved.

“A few guests saw me capsizing twice into the icy cold water but I was quickly back in control and made it to the very south of the lake by 12.30.

“It was then a great run back and it was at this point I thought I could definitely do it, as I had done the hardest part. The time the sighted guys put in, to help me around the obstructions, was so valuable and I shed a little tear as we landed at 16.30 to be greeted with a bottle to pop and a bunch of flowers.”

The IFDS Blind Sailing World and International Championships take place from May 24 to June 1 and the team are planning to send 14 blind sailors and six sighted volunteers to Japan to compete in the event.

Transport and accommodation for the six volunteers, is expected to cost around £30,000, and Lucy is hoping that the money she raises will go towards paying for their flights.

She said: “I came up with the idea of One Lake One Day as a way of saying thank you to the volunteers.

“Before I started sailing I was very shy and quiet and found it hard to communicate with people. Sailing has built up my confidence and putting it on my CV has helped me to get a good job with revenue and customs, whereas before I struggled to get even get a Saturday job.

“Flights to Japan cost £600 each so it would be great to raise the full amount which is £3,600. So far I have managed to raise just over £1,000, which will be a big help towards their flights.”

Lucy frequently travels from her home in South End to train with Ark Sailing Club in Windermere, so it made sense for her to complete the challenge in the Lake District.

She said “I decided to complete my challenge on Windermere as it is the biggest lake in England and it is the home of most of our volunteers and a key part of our training.”

Ian from Ark Sailing, in Windermere regularly runs training sessions from his base at the Langdale Chase Hotel and has volunteered with British Blind Sailing for over 20 years.

He said: “It is brill that Lucy decided to do the challenge. “Sailing the length of Windermere would be a long way for anyone but on a cold day in a single handler when you are visually impaired is especially challenging.

“I had every confidence in her. I knew she would do it.”

Ian hopes Lucy’s latest achievement will be the first of many. He explains: “Last year we came second overall in the world championships, and were narrowly beaten by New Zealand. This year we are hoping to steal the trophy.”

• For more information about blind sailing, visit: www.blindsailing.net or to donate, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/onelakeoneday

First published at 15:36, Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk