The man who made sailing for everyone

More than 30 years ago, Chris Mitchell had an idea that would change the face of Para sailing forever.

Living in Singapore at the time, he saw an opportunity to introduce more Asian people to the sport. But there was a problem – the boats being used for beginners, particularly the Optimist, were unstable, capsizable, and impractical for a region where many people were traditionally non-swimmers.

Chris imagined something different—a boat that was stable, easy to handle, and truly inclusive. He designed a small, multi-purpose sailboat with a ballasted keel for stability, joystick steering, and a seated sailing position. It was the perfect introduction to sailing.

But the established sailing community in Singapore wasn’t interested. The sport was controlled by a traditional middle-class sailing culture, and they weren’t willing to embrace something new. Disappointed but undeterred, Chris moved back to Australia.

His timing couldn’t have been better.

Back in Australia, a new initiative was gaining momentum—Sailability, a global movement dedicated to making sailing accessible to people with disabilities. Chris quickly realized that his boat, originally designed for a new generation of sailors, was actually perfect for people with disabilities.

It was the beginning of something special. His boats allowed people who had never dreamed of sailing before to take to the water with confidence, safety, and independence. The Access Dinghy (later renamed Hansa) became a symbol of inclusion.

It wasn’t just about disabled sailing; it was about Sailing for Everyone.

For Chris, inclusion wasn’t about separating disabled sailors into their own programs—it was about bringing everyone together. “Why should disabled sailors be put in separate categories?” he asked. “Most of them don’t want that. They just want to sail alongside everyone else.” That philosophy became the foundation of Hansa Sailing.

In 2001, an email arrived that changed everything. It was from Mr. Ishi, the founder of an organization in Japan dedicated to improving infrastructure for the country’s aging population. He and his team had seen Chris’ boats in action—and they were astonished. They told him his boats were the finest example of Universal Design (UD) they had ever seen.

Chris and his wife Jackie had never heard of Universal Design before, so they did some research. What they discovered was groundbreaking. Their work wasn’t just about accessible sailing—it was part of a global movement for social justice and community welfare.

Their boats weren’t just helping disabled sailors—they were breaking down barriers for people of all ages and abilities. A year later, in 2002, Chris was invited to present his work at the UN Conference on Aging.

From a simple idea in Singapore to a global movement, Chris Mitchell’s vision has transformed sailing. His boats have given thousands of people around the world the chance to sail, compete, and experience freedom on the water.

And yet, for Chris, it was never about recognition or awards—it was always about one thing: making sailing truly accessible to everyone. Because in his eyes, sailing isn’t just for the few—it’s for everyone.

Source: World Sailing