“It was great to be learning something new again and the fact that it was competitive was brilliant – I had forgotten how much I love to win.” Joe, Royal Marines

The main aims of the initiative are achieved by utilising volunteer racing sailors from all three services and the civilian community to sail alongside the injured servicemen in regattas that are held predominantly around the UK. In the main, the regattas we are trying to enter have a series of inshore races with an additional social calendar throughout the event. These inshore races allow for rotation of injured crew so that their rehabilitation programmes can be continued and their rehab goals met.

Equally the boats we use have been carefully selected to offer a good range of competition in a reasonably sized class, and they are definitely not adapted or modified in any way.

“This is a fantastic initiative and one that I’m really proud to lend my support to. Most of these boys have never set foot on a boat before, let alone raced at this level and to see the difference it can make to them, the confidence it gives them back is amazing.”
Andy Beadsworth, Olympic and Americas Cup Sailor

“I never thought it would be like this; competitive, tactical, technical and a sport where team work is essential. I am still shaking from the adrenalin rush. I’ve got fireworks going off in my head.”
Chris, 2 YORKS Regt

ACTIVITY SUMMARY 2008/9

“The fact that Toe in the Water’s emphasis is on rehabilitation and re-inspiring our injured servicemen is great. Their vision to use competitive sailing in this way is exemplary as is the way in which they work in partnership with other organisations without duplicating existing frameworks. We are proud to support their work and hope to deliver fruitful long term relationships, maybe even resulting in encouraging some of the injured servicemen into paralympic sailing.”
Rod Carr, Chief Executive
Royal Yachting Association

Since entering its first regatta in August 2008 (Skandia Cowes Week), it has had just one simple aim – to re-inspire injured servicemen to see beyond their traumatic injuries by using competitive sailing as an extension of their rehabilitation programmes by the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) Headley Court. Sadly we now have the highest number of injured personnel since the Falklands War but thankfully the swell of public support has never been greater.

Following on from the success of Cowes Week 2008, Toe in the Water has entered a number of events during 2008/9, using a variety of boats, enabling servicemen with a huge range of injuries to be inspired by racing.

Racing Results		Breakdown of injured servicemen who have taken part in Toe in the Water events		Breakdown of able-bodied volunteers who have taken part in Toe in the Water events

“Competitive spirit and team work is required of Royal Marine Commandos on operations. Toe in the Water inspires the same grit and determination whilst racing. I have seen first hand injured servicemen regain their drive and competitive edge, and remember who they are and who they can be.”
Captain Will Mackenzie-Green, Royal Marines

2010 RACING PROGRAMME

The Racing programme for next year is currently under development and will be announced in January 2010.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ANY OF THESE EVENTS OR HOW TO HELP TOE IN THE WATER COMPETE IN ANY OF THE EVENTS LISTED ABOVE PLEASE EMAIL INFO@TOEINTHEWATER.ORG OR CHECK OUT THE ‘GET INVOLVED’ SECTION OF THE WEBSITE