Welcome to Sailing

CSSC (Civil Service Sports Council) Sports and Leisure through the Civil Service Sailing Association (CSSA) arrange an annual Inter Departmental Offshore Regatta (IDOR) in which HASSRA sponsors and enters one or more chartered yachts to compete on an individual boat basis against other yachts from other government departments and CSSA recognised clubs.

IDOR is a recognised National Competition.

• Crews typically consist of 8 per yacht, namely Skipper, Mate, Helm, Navigator, Foredeck Crew and Cockpit Crew. Applications from specialists such as expert Spinnaker handlers are particular welcome.
• Neil Wood is the HASSRA National Sailing Team Manager and always aims to select a balanced crew, factoring in if at all possible a 50-50 mixed gender crew, also taking into account if possible such considerations as geographical spread and DWP / DH departmental representation - but with overall safety considerations paramount.
• Each year at least one novice is selected for each boat, and, in principle, as many applicants as possible are selected for each HASSRA entry each year who have not taken part in IDOR before.
• Following IDOR in 2008, event organiser Pete Shuttleworth wrote:

HASSRA normally sponsors two boats to enter the weeks racing and whilst there is a core crew for safety reasons, the remaining members tend to have little or no experience. Talking to them on the Sunday evening when we are waiting to board the boats you can catch an edge of nervousness and apprehension, probably thinking what on earth made them take up an offer for a place on the boat. Chat to them at the end of the week and you see a completely different person. Confident, amazed at their different experiences and often in awe of the knowledge and leadership shown by their skippers. They leave as different people and with memories that will last a life time. The IDOR is our Olympics. Some are winners but everyone is a participant and I am sure they have that feeling of pride with what they have achieved. As Civil Servants, we are so lucky to have organisations like the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC), the Civil Service Sailing Association (CSSA) and in DWP HASSRA to provide us with those “moments” in life.

• For other sailing opportunities, see the Civil Service Sailing Association website including details of membership. Membership is free to holders of two CSSC shares.

http://members.madasafish.com/~csorc

• The CSSA have a number of divisional clubs, including dinghy sailing at Netley Cliff, Littleton Sailing Club and in the Bolton area. There are also CSSA yachts based on the East, South and North West coasts.
• The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) provide sailing opportunities for disabled people – see the RYA website. I should be pleased to discuss these in the event of any uncertainties or anxieties.

RYA Sailability link: www.rya.org.uk/AboutRYA/RYASailability/

• The RYA also operate a comprehensive shore-based and practical programme of learning and development via recognised RYA training establishments – again see the RYA website for details and to make contact. (The CSSA is a recognised RYA training establishment and run practical courses from Competent Crew to Yachtmaster Offshore).

RYA homepage link: www.rya.org.uk/

Enjoy getting on the water!

Neil Wood

Sailing Team Manager

Contact us:

Neil Wood

Jobcentre Plus Transformation Team

Ground Floor, Corunna House

39 Cadogan Street

Glasgow G2 7SS

Courier Address: Glasgow Transformation Scotland

Telephone: 0141 249 3832

Mobile: 07971 994011

E-mail: Neil.Wood3@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk