Sailability in NSW first appeared as Sailability Gosford, formed in April 1995 using yachts sailed on Brisbane Waters. The foundation members of the first club included Denis Critchley, John Woodward, Ruth Miller, and Phil Vardy. Sailability also becomes a member of the NSW Sports Council for the Disabled.
Leisl Tesch is the Patron of Sailability NSW.In 2009 Tesch participated in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on Sailors with Disabilities. After seeing an SBS documentary about the journey, Beijing silver medallist Daniel Fitzgibbon contacted her in late 2010 and they formed a sailing partnership. Sailing the two-person SKUD 18 class with Fitzgibbon, the team had immediate success, winning gold at the ISAF Gold Cup in January 2011 and a bronze medal at the IFDS World Championships in July of that year. They won a gold medal with a race to spare at the London 2012 Paralympic sailing competition held at Weymouth and Portland. Tesch`s mother had died of cancer after her first day of racing at the games; shortly after winning the gold medal, she said it was `a beautiful way to celebrate my mum`s life to win gold on a beautiful sunny day at the Paralympic Games`.
Sailability NSW will facilitate participation in sailing and boat usage at social, recreational and competitive levels on inland, estuary and ocean water, for people with disabilities regardless of age and level of disability. There are over 15 different clubs all over NSW