Matthew James: Why everyone should try being a sailor (and how you can join a Deaf-friendly trip!)

Think arran knit jumpers in the 60’s, and tinkering about on a yacht in a boatyard that is out of the water more than it is in.

I have a picture of me, my twin sister and brother watching my father work on his yacht. That’s black and white, and the sight of it never fails to trigger strong scents of varnish, hemp and Dunlop dingy rubber.

They are vivid memories that sooth me even today. I was barely five then, and not yet deaf.

Fast forward, aged 16 on the famous Sir Francis Drake, a 70ft ketch I sailed some 400 miles we sailed from Hollyhead to Dublin, to Rossilare then to Scilly Islands, and homebound to Southampton. A young crew of 12 of which half were deaf and the other half hearing.

The underlying aim? To use sailing activities to generate, amongst many things, increased confidence, communication, confidence and leadership skills between deaf and hearing young people. The outcome is deaf people feeling empowered, knowing they can do it all on board a big boat.

In short, it was a both a journey and an experience of a lifetime.

I have since travelled extensively around the world, but that particular week is ingrained into my head and my emotions. Dusk porpoise sightings and holding onto a towed rope as they jumped right beside you. Learning how it takes a full minute for the warmth of the morning sunrise to reach your face once it appears on the horizon.

But more importantly for me, even today in my daily life and career I might reflect on that week for a variety of reasons – to seek strength, serenity and for insights into my personal values that I carry with me daily.

Sailing is well known for having many health benefits. One is the essential requirement that you learn to communicate well with others and work together as a team, united in keeping the boat moving and afloat!

The communication on a boat isn’t about shouting loudly at each other over the wind, but learning to use signs and signals in a calm efficient way.

Looking back at that sailing trip, one of my main memories is that during that week the entire six hearing crew were sea sick at times, whilst we deaf people enjoyed larger than normal bacon and egg breakfasts! Quite why this was the case I do not know but ‘Deafgain’ is what it is called these days.

I have since sailed now and again on my father’s yacht. But only very recently in my early 50s have I reflected more deeply on my own life’s little crucibles – key moments, good and not so good, that I feel have shaped me, who I am, over time.

Professionally, I am employed by the NHS as a senior manager) and in my place of work we can take five days off on voluntary leave. Living in North Shields literally beside the River Tyne I have collaborated again with Ocean Youth Trust (North) – a different name but the same organisation back then that took the Sir Francis Drake out to Scilly Isles in my youth.

The OYTN (here’s their Facebook page) are a northern branch based down my road. Last year I proposed they work with me to encourage and enable more deaf young people to have the opportunity to sail for the first time.   

In July 2018, I coordinated a crew of 12 to join the ‘Taeping’, a 60ft single mast clipper that’s circumnavigated the world four times, to sail from Whitehaven to the Isle of Man over five days. The crew was a mix of deaf and hearing young people and adults. Just like my experiences back in my youth, I could see the incredible experiences they had through sailing.

What has struck me though is how hard it was to find enough youths who are deaf, or have a family connection with deafness, to sign up to becoming a crew member. I am unsure but believe the mainstreaming of deaf education as had an impact on this because back in my days you had to compete for a place on board.

Having experienced sailing and its hidden benefits in breaking down communication barriers and empowering both deaf youths and hearing youths too, I am determined that these sailing opportunities are not missed. They are significant moments that can set a positive compass bearing, optimism and confidence, into the deaf person’s life, if not there and then, but certainly at some point in their future.

GOOD NEWS for Deaf and hearing youth, volunteering adults and BSL interpreters: We have two voyages lined up on the James Cook yacht: 24 to 26 May and 12 to 14 July (both from Friday 6pm to Sunday 4pm).

No experience is needed and the trips are overseen by staff and volunteers form Ocean Youth Trust (North). Each voyage has 12 places and we aim to fill them with 8 youths and four adults.

We will give priority to deaf youths and those who have a connection with deafness (CODA, or had a deaf sibling). We are seeing two adults who can volunteer as a communicator or BSL interpreter (who will go free). Places are £130 per person per voyage.

For more information contact Matthew James (deafmediator@hotmail.com or see the Facebook group.