Torbay sailing charity to feature on BBC’s Escape to the Country

In summer of 2025, we were contacted by the BBC to ask if they could interview us for a future edition of the highly popular television programme, Escape to the Country.

Needless to say, we were delighted to oblige and duly attended the interview which was conducted on our lovely yacht “DSA Freedom” at our moorings in Torquay Town Dock. Our understanding of their interest in the DSA is that they wanted to portray Torbay as an inclusive community, and we were just one of the many examples across the Bay.

Some months went by and we had almost forgotten about the interview when we had a surprise email from the BBC confirming that we would be included in the programme to be broadcast on Tuesday 24 March, 2026 on BBC1 at 3:00pm. Don’t worry if you missed this as the programme will also be available on BBC iPlayer for another 30 days beyond this. 

We are very excited about this as the programme is broadcast both locally and nationwide and therefore will reach many communities and individuals who may benefit from the opportunity to sail with us. Over the years we have taken out hundreds of our disabled members, mainly from around the Bay but others who travel the length and breadth of the country to sail with us. In fact, the programme features two of our members who live in Manchester but sail with us every year when visiting Torbay.

The DSA was founded in 2005 by a couple who are both visually impaired and a group of disabled friends, all of whom were passionate about ocean sailing. They were given a small yacht for £1 and it all started from there. The offer was “safe and affordable sailing for the disabled “ – and the offer is still there 21 years later. We welcome anyone with a disability, including physical, medical or mental health related. No previous sailing experience is needed.

During this time the DSA has gone from strength to strength and now own two magnificent ocean-going yachts, a Beneteau Oceanis 38ft and a Bavaria C38. In 2023 we were fortunate to be awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service and our boats now proudly sport the KAVS crown logo on their hulls. You can spot them if you look over the railings in front of the Torquay Harbour Masters office.

We have a volunteer crew of around 65 plus additional onshore volunteers looking after administration, finances and fundraising. We sail every day (weather permitting), mainly around Torbay and the surrounding coastline and sometimes further afield to Salcombe and Plymouth. We often see dolphins, seals and other marine wildlife which a real treat.

As the name of the programme suggests, when you are out on the waves you feel like you have escaped from the big city and the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Our members have named our two boats “DSA Freedom” and “DSA Free Spirit” for that reason.

But don’t take our word for it – why not come and try it for yourself by contacting enquiries@dsadevon.org.uk. With all the turmoil going on in the world right now, making holidays abroad more uncertain and expensive, why not “Escape to the Country – with the DSA”. We would love to hear from you.

Thanks to the BBC and to Torbay Weekly for including the DSA in their media coverage – without them we would be a very well-kept secret in the Bay!

PS: One final thought, perhaps the BBC should consider making a new series called “Escape to the Coast” in which Torbay and the English Riviera would surely feature regularly.