A NEW £100,000 project to get more people on the beach and in the water, has opened — endorsed by Isle of Wight stars of the Olympic Games and the Paralympics.

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Paralympic gold medal winning sailor Andy Cassell, and Olympic canoeist, Richard Jefferies, who both hail from the Isle of Wight, helped launch Sandown Town Council’s new beach accessibility project last week.

The new Changing Places facility features an accessible beach mat, as well as working with other partners on a programme of activity, "utilising the amenity and inclusive equipment", said its clerk, Richard Priest.

Paralympics sailor Andy Cassell, in wheelchair, Sandown mayor Cllr Alex Lightfoot and Olympics 2012 canoeist Richard Jefferies.Paralympics sailor Andy Cassell, in wheelchair, Sandown mayor Cllr Alex Lightfoot and Olympics 2012 canoeist Richard Jefferies. (Image: Raine Elliss)

(Image: Raine Elliss)

(Image: Raine Elliss)

Andy Cassell, of Cowes, is the British Paralympic sailor who won gold at the 1996 Summer Paralympics, where the sport made its Paralympic debut.

Richard Jefferies, who hails from Bembridge, is British sprint canoeist who competed in the 2012 Olympic Games.  

Changing Places, part of a national scheme, also features a hoist, a changing bench, grab rails, a screen and an adjustable sink — located near to the public toilets at Eastern Gardens.

The 50m beach mat is located near to it and, working with The Wave Project and the local lifeguards, is accessible for children and adult wheelchairs.

Sandown mayor, Cllr Alex Lightfoot, said: ‘‘Working with the Isle of Wight Council, we have been able to secure national grant funding to support this £100,000-plus accessibility project.

"This initiative will benefit residents and tourists alike."

Ramon Van de Velde, chief executive officer of The Wave Project, said the group is dedicated to making surfing and surf therapy as accessible as possible for all. 

"The new Changing Place facility in Sandown is a game-changer for our Adaptive Surfing programmes and for the wider community," he said.

"This initiative, along with the beach matting, will massively support our efforts to get more people on the beach and in the water — regardless of their abilities."

The launch also included the award of a Gold Standard Hygiene Award to Sandown Town Council, in partnership with Danfo, for the maintenance of their public amenities in Sandown, together with new adaptive equipment as part of The Wave Project's surf therapy programme, and the extension of accessibility initiatives from Sandown's lifeguards.