Special sailors take to the lake

(By Guilhem Denis – Bond University Journalism student)

Every Wednesday on Lake Orr, the Special Olympics Queensland sailing team is busy preparing for the World Summer Games of 2011 in Athens.

Sonja Gilmore and Belinda Hill are both part of the Australian team.

They are training four days per week here at Varsity Lakes but also at The Southport School and the Southport Yacht Club.

Belinda Hill has been sailing for more than 10 years and has already represented Australia three times.

“I’ve always been fond of water games. I used to do swimming before,” she said.

The head coach for Queensland Chris Ruston said he is very pleased with their progress so far.

Sailing consultant Barry Coates said they are highly competitive and successful.

“They won many medals and are well known in the sailing community,” he said.

Special Olympics is a worldwide organization for people with intellectual disabilities.

Mr Coates said they were looking for volunteers with some affinity with water to start a program for junior sailors. (Learn more about that in the audio file)