We recently welcomed Enda Dodd and his twin sons, Conor and Eoin to Milford Marina on Sunday 3rd November, where they arrived on their sailing yacht, Hurricane.
After an extraordinary journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and incredible determination, we sat down with Enda, Conor, and Eoin to learn about their inspiring voyage and mission…
Sailing has truly been a transformative force for us. Conor and Eoin were diagnosed with aphasic autism when they were four, which brought significant challenges in language and social skills. Early on, we could see they had a natural inclination towards the ocean, so we introduced them to sailing when they were young.
Over time, it became a powerful means of communication and expression for them. When they couldn’t communicate through speech, they could do so by their actions.
They started out with small Mirror dinghies before moving on to 420 Dinghies. By the time they were teenagers, they had joined a sailing club and began competing in a 23ft skiff, where they placed second in their class.
Today, they’ve moved on to ocean racing, and they’re consistently ranked in the top 5 club competitions. Their most ambitious challenge yet is preparing for the Fastnet Race, a world-famous offshore competition. If they qualify, they’ll be the first non-verbal sailors with autism to helm a yacht in this race.
Hurricane is a remarkable boat built in Southampton by the Elephant Boatyard and was a dominant force in racing back in the ‘80s and ‘90s. We got Hurricane last October and have been training hard to handle her. We left Helsingborg in June and navigated through several beautiful and historically significant ports including Copenhagen, Kiel, the Frisian Islands, Amsterdam, Oostende, and Cherbourg.
From there, they sailed much of the Fastnet course through the South Coast of England, up through western Wales before reaching Milford Marina.
For Conor and Eoin, this journey has been about so much more than just sailing. They’ve explored cities, small islands, and have had the opportunity to meet people from all different walks of life, with diverse languages and cultures.
It’s been a powerful learning experience that goes far beyond just mastering the ropes and sails.
Crossing the Bristol Channel, without a doubt. It was a gruelling 14-hour journey, and we reached Milford Marina at 11pm, with only darkness around us.
We were exhausted but so grateful to be greeted warmly from the Milford Marina Team and the people here in Milford Haven have been incredible.
Valerie, my wife, and I dedicated our lives to helping Conor and Eoin overcome isolation. Over the years, we developed tools and techniques that opened doors for them and allowed them to communicate. Today, they work as software programmers and create visual teaching tools for children with autism. We’re passionate about sharing these tools with families worldwide, showing them what’s possible.
Beyond sailing, they both have other interests that bring them joy and build their skills. Eoin is an avid tennis player, and Conor often joins him to train. In turn, Eoin supports Conor with sailing, each helping the other grow and develop their unique strengths.
Conor and Eoin continue to achieve incredible things, and their journey has inspired others to see new possibilities. For us, it’s been about embracing each step and discovering unique paths for our sons. When you first receive a diagnosis, it can feel overwhelming, but as we’ve found with sailing and sports in general for Conor and Eoin, there are countless ways for children to thrive and express their strengths.
Conor and Eoin’s achievements are a testament to the potential that every child holds, and we hope their story encourages other parents to see the boundless potential in their own children.
Conor and Eoin are currently fundraising to cover the costs of participating in the Fastnet Race. Our next stop is Cork, where we’ll keep Hurricane through the winter and begin preparing for Fastnet qualifications early next year. There’s a lot ahead, but the support we’ve received has been overwhelming.
To support Conor and Eoin’s Fastnet challenge or to learn more about their story, please visit their website at www.kidsspeak.info
Milford Marina provides first class facilities and the perfect base from which to discover the Pembrokeshire Coast and beyond. Start your journey today and receive a no obligation quote instantly.
