More than 40 volunteers were up bright and early at McInherney Park ensuring the nine sail boats and three recovery boats were up to scratch before sailing begins on September 19.

Moira Mcgrath, secretary for Sailability Port Macquarie said the whole team was ready to get back on the water.

“We are all very excited about the upcoming sailing season and as long as the weather holds up we are expecting our biggest season yet,” Ms Mcgrath said.

“We have had some changes and are delighted that our volunteers numbers are increasing this year and especially as that is including some younger members.

“What is staying the same though is the big family feeling that everyone in the community has grown to know as Sailability.”

Ms Mcgrath said all the volunteers are refreshed after having a relaxing winter holiday.

“We are all refreshed and ready to jump back into the swing of things,” she said.

“This season we will have people of all ages come and sail with us from Kempsey, out past Wauchope and down from the Camden Haven as well as from Port Macquarie.

“We have also put in a development application for a new storage shed an amenities block which is currently before council. So lots of things are happening.”

Wayne Evans, vice president of the group said that despite some changes in the team everyone always has a great time.

“Our volunteers, myself included love spend their time helping those who have a disability access the water, and while people say we do a great thing for the community, to be honest us as volunteers get as much out of the experience as those we take on the water,” Mr Evans said.

“We have people from nine to 94 years of age who have all types of disabilities and problems and when we take them out we see the joy on their faces and it makes what we do worth it.”

The official sailing season for Sailability begins on September 19 and will run until May 2019.

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