He started sailing in his 30s and is a member of Lough Swilly Yacht club in Donegal. A keen cruiser, Ken circumnavigated Ireland on “Kind of Blue”, Garry Crothers’ Ovni, as part of an effort to raise awareness of Sailability throughout Ireland.
Ken has taken part in many challenges over the years, some of which he says have been “life changing”. He was asked to help out when Bob Harper (former Sailability Co-Ordinator) brought a group of volunteers from Belfast Lough Sailability to Derry-Londonderry for the first ever Sailability event on the River Foyle. Many of the volunteers stayed with Foyle Sailability and Ken eventually became secretary and the club went from strength to strength.
Commenting on his new post, Ken said: “As someone who has been involved with Sailability for quite a few years now, I enjoy helping when I can and I’m a firm believer in giving those with disabilities the opportunity to get on the water.
“I understand that for a lot of our sailors, just being on the water is stimulation enough, but there are also others who have the skills, drive and abilities to become very competent and competitive sailors too. I am delighted to have been appointed Sailability Co-Ordinator and I’m proud to continue my support of RYA Northern Ireland as I believe it to be one of the most respected organisations locally and throughout the world.
“I am looking forward to helping to give more disabled people – both young and old – the opportunity to enjoy our great sport.”
Congratulating Ken on his new role, RYA Northern Ireland’s Chief Operating Officer Richard Honeyford said: “Ken has been an excellent advocate and ambassador for Sailability in Northern Ireland for many years. His enthusiasm for our sport is infectious and I am looking forward to seeing him continue on his journey to making our sport even more accessible to people of all abilities right across Northern Ireland.”
