Active Nation are delighted to announce that HRH The Princess Royal, president of the Royal Yachting Association and Patron of RYA Sailability, will be visiting Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC) on Monday 20th June 2011 to officially name a new Paralympic sailing class Sonar Keelboat.

The purchase of the boat to support the RYA Sailability scheme run at the centre has been made possible through funding from Aiming High and the charity Active Nation, and will offer people with disabilities the opportunity to discover the joy of sailing.

Since RYA Sailability at SWAC was launched in June 2009, the scheme has grown from strength to strength, each year welcoming new supporters with a wide range of needs. Twenty five supporters are currently attending the programme and all of them are progressing through the sport of sailing, developing new skills and experiencing huge pleasure through being active.

David Drew, Active Nation Outdoor Facilities Manager, commented: "we have been extremely fortunate and successful with funding which has enabled us to purchase new and specific equipment for the supporters, including access dinghies, a sonar keel boat, a crew lift hoist, a pontoon extension and funding which has highly subsidised the programme itself".

Sailability continues to grow at SWAC and sessions for 2011 are already up and running and introducing new young people and adults with disabilities to the sport of sailing.

Strong partnerships have been developed through the Sailability programme with Mencap, Hampshire Autistic Society, Hamble Valley Rotary Club, Aiming High and Flagstaff Trust.

The event will also mark the start of a week of celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the venue. The week will feature a wide range of events and activities including sailing club races, schools' water treasure hunts and Sailability sessions.