Stride Forward crew prepare for Cowes Week with on-water training by Olympian Stuart Childerley
by Alice Driscoll 17 Jul 06:37 NZST
2-8 August 2025
Stride Forward's pre-Cowes training - Stuart Childerley on Stride Forward © Paul Wyeth /
www.pwpictures.com
Training crew for a competitive racing event such as Cowes Week is never easy - but even more so when many have not sailed before and almost everyone on board has a life-changing injury.
But this is what Stuart Childerley faces as the helm of the Stride Forward entry in a Sun fast 3200 at Cowes this year, with the added pressure that he is only just getting back on the water having been seriously injured in a road bike accident in 2021.
Stride Forward is a national charity that offers mentoring programmes and support for people who have suffered serious physical trauma leading to disability. This year, the charity is entering Cowes Week to raise awareness of its mission, which is to 'give the gift of the ordinary' to those who have undergone life-changing injuries.
On board was crew member Jim Goldsby, who was an incredibly fit and an accomplished skier, when a cycling accident in 2020 caused him to lose his right leg. Through Stride Forward, Jim was introduced to sailing, a hobby which he now loves.
He says: "As one of the more experienced sailors on the training session, it soon became apparent that with everyone's varying injuries, we needed to work out roles on board that would suit everyone's physical abilities. Stuart was able to see what could be achieved despite physical impairments and could coach us in the procedures to effectively tack and gybe in a variety of conditions."
As a project director at VolkerRail, Jim admits he likes to be in control and leading people. He was given the position of pit manager, a vital role to ensure that everything ran smoothly on board. "It was important that everybody was included and had a part to play on board and was valued for their input. Stuart was excellent at outlining the processes we had to follow," said Jim. "In particular what stood out was how Stuart remained calm and in control, and how this reflected on the crew. I'm now really excited about racing at Cowes and can't wait for it to start."
Stride Forward's founder, Holly King, who will also be on board for some of the races, says the support the charity has received from the marine industry has been outstanding.
Cowes-based clothing company TOIO has kitted out all the Stride Forward crew with branded T-Shirts and caps, and will be retailing an exclusive range of Stride Forward clothing throughout Cowes Week with all profits going to support the charity. The window display at the TOIO Corner House shop in Cowes will also be displaying Stride Forward merchandise.
On the water, the Stride Forward crew will be protected from the sun using Intego Pro Sun protection and Henri-Lloyd foul weather clothing with Spinlock lifejackets. Holly King says "We've also had fantastic support from the UKSA, Haven KJ, Grapefruit Graphics, Harken, North Sails, and Lewmar, as well as Cowes Harbour Commission, and LV Yachting, all of whom have given us incredible support and encouragement to take part in Cowes Week and helped us to raise awareness of supporting those with life-changing injuries." The Cowes Week entry and charity has also been supported by HK Physio Limited, PLG Architects, Finders and Leigh Day.
As well as taking part in the racing at Cowes Week, Stride Forward is holding a launch party at the Royal Ocean Racing Club and a drinks reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron. The charity relies on donations to find, train and support the team of volunteer mentors to support those living with life-changing injuries. Holly explains: "In the early days [after injury], there's a clear roadmap of medical care, rehabilitation and legal support. But what happens when that structured support ends? People are then left facing emotional and practical challenges of life after serious injury with little or no help. This is where Stride Forward steps in."
Stride Forward's mission - Giving the Gift of the Ordinary - supports mentees to reclaim their confidence, independence, and purpose in a way that feels accessible, empowering, and real. Through a structured 1:1 mentoring programme, alongside specialist career advice and financial literacy sessions, Stride Forward offers a compassionate bridge between the clinical world and everyday life.
By entering Cowes Week Holly is keen for people to see Stride Forward in action and, in addition to financial support, to find people who can become a volunteer mentor. She explains, "We're working with a wide range of individuals who need support to navigate returning to work, or using their transferrable skills in new roles, leaning into new hobbies or interests, and helping with vocational support and financial training. Our mentees currently range from a sheep farmer to a wedding planner, a building maintenance manager, a computer programmer and even an executive in international finance company. It really doesn't matter what their backgrounds or interests are, we are here to enable and support them to achieve a joyful and fulfilled life."