Importance of Participation of People with Physical Disabilities in Sailing as a Recreational Activity

Bavljenje rekreacijskim i regatnim jedrenjem ima dugu tradiciju diljem svijeta, a u novije vrijeme jedrenje sve više postaje pristupačno i osobama s invaliditetom. Cilj istraživanja bio je dobiti uvid u motivacijske činitelje za odabir jedrenja kao slobodne sportske aktivnosti te utvrditi dobrobiti i učinke jedrenja u životu sudionika. Sudionici istraživanja bili su domaći i inozemni rekreativni jedriličari s tjelesnim invaliditetom te sportaši jedriličari s iskustvom jedrenja u klasi prilagođenoj osobama s tjelesnim invaliditetom (N=12). Podaci su prikupljeni metodom individualnog strukturiranog intervjua. Rezultati kvalitativne analize pokazuju da su na obje skupine sudionika istraživanja pri odabiru jedrenja kao slobodne aktivnosti najviše djelovali poticaji iz okoline, a tek onda osobna želja za bavljenjem tjelesnom aktivnošću. Nakon uključivanja sudionika istraživanja u jedriličarske aktivnosti i redovitog bavljenja jedrenjem, njihova osobna motivacija za jedrenjem raste, što pridonosi nastavku njihovog bavljenja ovim sportom. U učinke i dobrobiti bavljenja jedrenjem sudionici istraživanja ubrajaju poboljšanje njihovog tjelesnog i psihičkog zdravlja, razvoj mentalnih sposobnosti i praktičnih vještina te stvaranje povoljnijih okolnosti za njihovu bolju socijalnu adaptaciju i integraciju. Ove komponente ujedno predstavljaju dodatni poticaj sudionicima za nastavak bavljenja jedrenjem. Sudionici istraživanja ističu važnost promoviranja jedrenja kao slobodne aktivnosti koja je značajna za poboljšanje tjelesne aktivnosti i općeg zdravlja za sve osobe, pa time i za osobe s tjelesnim invaliditetom. Osim toga, aktivno bavljenje jedrenjem sudionicima istraživanja donosi mogućnost širenja socijalne mreže, upoznavanje s prirodom i morem, podizanje osjećaja samopouzdanja, kompetentnosti i slobode.Engaging in recreational and regatta sailing has a long tradition throughout the world, and increasingly become accessible to persons with disabilities. The aim of this study was to gain insight the motivation for sailing as a leisure activity and to determine the benefits and positive effects of the sailing. Participants were the domestic and international recreational sailors with physical disabilities, and sailors athletes with experience of sailing in the class adapted for the people with disabilities (N=12). Data were collected by using structured individual interview. The results of qualitative analysis indicate that both groups of participants have chosen sailing as their leisure activity, stimulated primarily by their environment, and then by personal desire to improve their physical condition. However, after the start-up and active engagement in regular sailing activities, personal motivation of participants was increased, and that encouraged them to continue with sailing. Improvement of physical and psychological health, development of their mental capacities and practical skills, better conditions for their social adaptation and integration, participants recognized as their benefits and positive effects achieved from sailing. These components are also their important motives to continue with practicing sailing. Participants of the study emphasized the importance of promoting sailing as a leisure activity that improves physical condition and health, and as an activity which is available to all people and to the people with disability as well. Furthermore, participation in sailing brings to the participants the possibility to expand their social network, to explore the nature and the sea, and increases feelings of confidence, competence and freedom