Just like every other skipper in the gruelling Sydney to Hobart ocean yacht race, Kirk Watson knows his boat. He knows the weather charts. He knows his crew’s strengths. On-board his boat, Sailors with disABILITIES, the focus is squarely on what each person does well.
Sailors with disABILITIES (SWD) is a non-profit organisation using sailing to build confidence and self-esteem of participants learning the thrill of sailing in a team environment.
Half of Kirk’s crew for the prestigious race have a disability, ranging from a double leg amputee to a 19 year-old girl with spina bifida and one crew member legally blind since the second Bali bombings.
Kirk Watson and his guide dog Tiller on the water.
Kirk is vision impaired himself, he’s been affected by the degenerative disease Retinitis Pigmentosa. He has a guide dog (aptly named Tiller) and uses JAWS assistive technology in his role with Sydney’s debt management team.
Kirk knows teamwork is teamwork, whether it’s in the office or battling Bass Strait. Both team environments work best when there’s respect, support and recognition of each other’s strengths and abilities.
Kirk has been sailing competitively for more than 20 years, with 15 year’s offshore ocean racing experience.
“To skipper the SWD boat in a race like the Sydney to Hobart is a big honour and a big responsibility,” said Kirk.
“So much work goes into getting ready for a race like this. There’s a lot of work preparing the boat and the crew. There’s no difference in how we prepare and what other crews are doing.
“People on the boat need to know all the manoeuvres and we need to be focussed – just like everybody else in the race.”
Kirk likens the difference between inshore sailing on a harbour or bay and ocean racing to running in a 100 metre sprint and then lining up for a marathon.
“Ocean races are measured in days. You’ve just got to pace yourself,” said Kirk.
“We sail through the night, so the crew eat and sleep in shifts. Conditions can vary greatly offshore as well. Depending where you are you could have no wind or 55 knot gusts.
“The big ocean races are a serious competition. Some of the boats are just amazing and each crew has trained hard just to get to the start line.
“The sunrises and sunsets during the Sydney to Hobart are incredible. I always look forward to rounding the southern coast of Tasmania and heading up to Constitution Dock.”
Kirk is a gifted sailor and a fierce competitor, but sailing for SWD allows him to share his passion for boats with young people with a disability and help them learn more about themselves.
“Each year more than 3 000 kids with a disability get an introduction to sailing through the SWD programs. It shows them how to work as a team and use each other’s strengths to achieve a great result. And sailing is pretty good fun!
“I love sailing and if I can help some of these kids find out they love it too, then I’m happy. Whether it’s a try sailing day, competing with my wife in our own boat or taking on the toughest ocean race in Australia, I just enjoy being out on the water.”
“It makes you feel like you can do anything.”
The Sydney to Hobart Yacht race begins on Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day. Competing boats sail 628 nautical miles to the finish line off Hobart’s historic Battery Point.
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Originally Posted by SLOWBOAT
“The crew had a really good race strategy which saw us in a bit closer to the Tasmanian coast where, in comparison to boats a bit further out, we were reasonably protected.
“Safety is always our number one priority.
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