Special spinnaker powering Sydney to Hobart bid

A trio of intrepid sailors was treated to a trip on Moreton Bay on South-East Queensland’s only double-hander entrant into this year’s Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Jayden, Ray and Lucy, who attend the Endeavour Foundation’s Learning and Lifestyle Hub in Bowen Hills, joined skippers Rohan Wood and Mark Hipgrave for a special send-off ahead of Mister Lucky’s voyage to Sydney recently.

Jayden is vision impaired - with only five per cent of his vision remaining - but he loves exploring life on the water during weekly Sailabilty sessions.

“I love to feel the wind in my hair and it’s very peaceful. It’s a different feeling than being on the land,” Jayden says.

Show of support

Mister Lucky will brave the breezes between Sydney and Hobart boosted by a special A5 racing spinnaker displaying the design of disability service provider Endeavour Foundation.

The sail’s sponsor wishes to remain anonymous.

“As Brisbane’s only double-handed yacht sailors in the big event, we’re so proud to be supporting Endeavour Foundation – an organisation that supports so many people … a little like this sail,” Rohan says.

“The sail is there to support us whenever and however we need it, giving us so much more freedom and opportunity.

“It was great to have Jayden, Ray and Lucy down on the dock with us as we did our final checks.

“It was great to answer their questions and share the passion for this great sport.”

Believe in yourself

Jayden says others with different abilities should “just go for gold!”

“If you can believe it, you can achieve it,” he says.

“Having opportunities to go out and explore and be part of the community is what inclusion looks like, this is what friendship looks like, and this is what makes the world a better place.”

Jayden has been accessing Endeavour Foundation services for more than 10 years, and says “the support workers, they treat me like family”.

Bowen Hills site manager Marissa Nankivell is passionate about ensuring each client has ongoing access to inclusive opportunities.

“Even today, Jayden is heading off to ride a jet boat on the Gold Coast,” Marissa says.

“He’ll enjoy a bus ride down and back with his friends and make a really big day of it.

“This is just all part of ensuring our clients have the same opportunities as the next person, and can enjoy life to the full.”