I am an experienced sailor, sailing since I was 13 years old taking any opportunity that came my way. My path from where I first started to where I am today has been anything but smooth. Filled with many potholes, one-way signs and dead ends there have been endless barriers along the way. Despite this I always found a way to keep sailing. If people are being kind they call me determined but the truth, is I am just incredibly stubborn. From the first day I caught the bug there was no way I could ever give it up.
I have sailed a variety of boats but due to my progressive condition, and now being a full-time wheelchair-user, I now compete as a para-athlete. I sail adapted boats where I can control everything from a seated position. I have been lucky enough to represent GBR multiple time internationally most recently winning a silver and bronze medal at the last two RS Venture Connect World championships respectively.
I have always had a passion for the sea, being drawn to it no matter what. Ever since first learning to sail I have loved spending time on the water, never wanting to come back to land. I am commencing a new chapter, where I will continue to compete internationally in dinghies, while also pursuing my dreams of more ambitious adventures.
No matter what is thrown at me I am unstoppable, willing to take on any challenge both on and off the water. I do not let my disability define me or hold me back, instead I use it to drive me on to go further.
Experience
- Topper
- Laser 4.7
- Farr 3.7
- Fireball
- Laser 2000
- Dart 15
- 420
- 4mR
- Sonar
- Skud
- Hansa 303
- RS Venture Connect
Skills
- Mechanical Engineering Degree-1st
- Boat rigging and tuning
- Tactics and decision making
- Building and repairing boats
- Adapting boats
- Adaptive Windsurfing
- Adaptive Paddleboarding
- Public Speaking
Rya Qualifications
- Pb2
- First aid
- Dinghy instructor
- Day skipper theory
- Race Coach Level 2
Results
- Laser 4.7 Qualifier series 2014- First female
- Fireball Nationals 2016 – 24th overall, 3rd in silver fleet
- Fireball Nationals series ranked in top 10 in all races during 2016-2017
- 420 Nationals 2018- 11th
- 4mR 2019 worlds- 64th overall, best result 17th
- 4mR 2019 French cup- 5th
- 4mR 2022 Europeans- 17th overall, best result of 14th
- 4mR UK Inland Nationals 2022 – 3rd
- Cowes Week 2022, Sonar- 8th overall, best result 4th
- Skud Nationals 2022- 2nd overall, best result 1st
- RS Venture Connect World Championships 2022- 11th overall, best result 1st
- Cowes Week 2023, Sonar- 4th overall, best result 2nd
- RS Venture Connect World Championships 2023- 2nd
- 4mR UK Inland Nationals 2023- 4th
- Skud Nationals 2023- 2nd
- Barcolana Regatta 2023, Hansa 303 Single- 2nd
- One Sport Challenge Sail GP Cadiz 2023, RS Venture Connect- 2nd
- Hansa French Cup 2024, Hansa 303 Double-7th
- Swiss Cup 2024, RS Venture Connect- 1st
- Hansa Nationals 2024, 303 single- 2nd
- Para Nordic Champs 2024, RS Venture Connect- 1st
- Hansa UK 303 single traveller series 2024- 2nd
- RSVC worlds 2024- 3rd inclusive category, 5th overall
- SF3200, hair of the dog, helm and pit work
- SF3300, Lord of the dance and fast track for various races.
- Redeye, SF3600, nav and tactician
- Prima 42, main trimmer
- Delivery Gosport- Brighton, Hustler 30
- Contessa 32 Nationals 2023- Coh Karek
- First solo night passage- November 2024
Other Interests and Achievements
- Home built Farr 3.7 2016
- Sports scholar 2018-2020
- University of Sussex, ‘US Girls Can’ mentor 2018-2019
- Set up Newhaven and Seaford Sailability 2019
- TAP (True Athlete Project) Mentee 2019
- Shortlisted by Sussex Sports awards 2019 for Disabled Sports Personality of The Year
- Brighton Half Marathon 2019- First female wheelchair athlete to ever complete this
- Boat life video- episode 5 2021
- Andrew Simpson foundation ambassador 2022
- RYA family volunteer award 2022
- Brand ambassador for RYA sailability and mentor for younger sailors 2022/2023
- Magenta project mentee 2022/2023
- Andrew Simpson Performance Academy sail scholar 2022/2023
- Crufts Finalist- Hero Dog of the Year 2024
- Competed the South Downs Way in Mountain Trike raising £12000 for Newhaven and Seaford Sailability-2024
- Helped set up and run first women’s clinic held in the RS Venture Connect in Norway- 2024
- UK representative on Para World Sailing Committee- 2025-2029
Testimonials
Jazz is a seriously impressive individual, I am in awe of her tenacity and resolve in the face of various challenges and barriers which would lead most people to quit. I admire her, she is not someone to be underestimated.
I have been moved by Jazz’s story and the resilience she has shown, never giving up. I can’t imagine what it is she has to go through and she does it with her head held high, undaunted and driven to achieve her dreams.