Sea without barriers at Ostend at Anchor

The aim of the association "Zeezien" is to make it possible for everyone to be on the water. To give people with physical or mental disabilities the opportunity to change their horizons. For people with disabilities, wheelchair users and less mobile people in particular, it is not even possible to sail on the North Sea. 

Since 2015, Zeezien has had a good collaboration with the British Wet Wheels, which is making the crossing again this year. This organization is a leader in sailing for people with a disability. During Ostend at Anchor, four free sailings are organized daily for organizations and associations that work for people with a disability. When the weather is nice, sailing takes place at sea, when the sea is too turbulent, sailing takes place in the harbor.

With this project they want to arouse curiosity in people with disabilities and inspire them. Participants can leave their disability at the jetty and become a member of the Wet Wheels crew. The target audience is wheelchair users, people with reduced mobility and people with sensory and mental disabilities. 

They receive their guests with an information stand on the fishing quay, where the general public can also ask questions about sailing for people with a disability. Between two sailings it is possible to visit the boat, so you get a perfect picture of how everything works on board an accessible vessel.

Safety is paramount. Active participants are given a short briefing, wheelchairs are fixed on the deck and it is compulsory to wear a lifebelt. The attraction of sailing at sea is great, sailing gives space, literally and figuratively speaking. The power catamaran adds speed and strengthens the powerful feeling that is present on the water.

Ann,  Hubert’s wife, is godmother of the project. This initiative is only possible thanks to the support of the Flemish government, the City of Ostend and Ostend at Anchor.

The following organizations are sailing along: Dyade, Godtschalk Sailors' House, Briek, Villa Vip, Ithaka.

At the moment there are still a few places available. For information you can send an email to  zeezien@telenet.be