As of: February 8, 2024, 7:00 p.m
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Andreas Hein (r.) and Gerrit Abendschön accompany the “Special Sailing” project as skippers.
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On the Mediterranean, the “Special Sailing” association overcomes barriers and makes sailing possible for people with special needs.
Andreas Hein from Breitbrunn and Gerrit Abendschön (both 64) from Gilching, who set sail three times last year, are also there.
Breitbrunn – Most recently, four ships were available to the participants in Croatia, including a catamaran.
There is space for two skippers, six people with disabilities and two supervisors on board the spacious 50-foot boats.
“40 participants, including 24 people to be looked after, eight volunteer companions and eight skippers from 'Special Sailing' on three sailing yachts and a catamaran, this is the largest flotilla we have ever launched,” says the one near Ingolstadt resident association with.
This is sometimes a big challenge for the helpers if, for example, there are strong people among the participants who cannot go into the cabin on their own.
The sailing week requires a lot of dedication, says Hein.
“Afterwards we are pretty exhausted, but also incredibly happy.”
Hein reverently leafs through a preciously bound book in which the freelance photographer captured the approximately 100 nautical miles from the port of departure to the marina in Split in black and white photos.
The pictures speak for themselves, such as the one of “Captain David” at the steering wheel.
His handicap is lost in the liberated laughter.
Or that of Max, “the strategist on board,” who concentrates on planning routes.
And there is “Princess Miri”, who happily holds up the figure eight knot that she patiently tied into the line into the camera.
“Otherwise there will be no dinner,” they had jokingly threatened her.
The stories sound light and lively, but the skippers first had to learn to deal with the high demands of looking after people with physical disabilities.
It's not enough to navigate the ships, says Hein.
Of the 81 “Special Sailing” club members, almost 20 are active as skippers or supervisors.
They are planning an exhibition in the Kurparkschlösschen in Herrsching for June to draw attention to their work.
The founding of the inclusive sailing project
The non-profit association “Special Sailing” was founded in 2016 by the ambitious hobby sailors Peter Landisch and Klaus Bortenschlager.
They had previously gained experience in Europe's largest inclusive social-educational sailing project, the “Peace Fleet Mirno More” (translated: “Peaceful Sea”), which took traumatized young people on sailing trips after the Balkan War.
Gerrit Abendschön, former owner of an advertising agency, has been on board since 2017 and has been chairman of the association since the beginning of 2022.
Andreas Hein has been actively supporting the club since 2021.
“Special Sailing” organizes sailing trips for people with special needs several times a year.
The club contributes around 20,000 euros per year for all sailing trips in order to make the costs affordable.
Skippers and supervisors work on a voluntary basis.
“Special Sailing” is financed through membership fees, donations and sponsorship.
More information about the project is available online at specialsailing.de.
By Michele Kirner
By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Starnberg newsletter.
You can find even more current news from the Starnberg district at Merkur.de/Starnberg.