Not everyone has access to a $100,000 yacht, but a mentor program in Port Lincoln is making sure local teenagers do.
Ben Noske just participated in his second Adelaide-Port Lincoln yacht race, competing alongside Sydney yachts like Ichi Ban, which won its fourth title.
Having the opportunity to get out on the water means a lot to Mr Noske, who lives with Kearns-Sayre syndrome, a muscular disorder.
Mr Noske says the disease is "mentally and physically tiring."
"I struggle a bit. I get tired and get headaches and stomach aches," he said.
"Getting from Adelaide to Lincoln was difficult, but I did it. It's a big deal. It's a big accomplishment for anyone to do.
Mr Noske has been a part of the mentor boat for four years, improving and learning from experienced skippers like Matt Stephens, who has sailed for almost 50 years.
The program was made possible by entrepreneur and philanthropist Peter Teakle, who donated two Sydney 32 yachts to the Port Lincoln Yacht Club.
"Both the skippers on the boats have a huge amount of patience, and we've had a number of people on board with both physical and mental disabilities, so that's been really good for them," Mr Noske said.
'It's like climbing Everest'
Matthew Stephens, skipper on the Lincoln Mentor yacht said, he was impressed with Mr Noske's commitment.
"Ben's got a few muscular problems. I've got to pick that because he's always pushing himself. Sometimes I got to say, 'Go down and have a rest,'" Mr Stephens said.
Mr Stephens said he wanted the participants to gain confidence and have fun.
"My main hope is that they enjoy it and that they come back and do it again, and learn from the experience," he said.
Sport physical and mentally challenging
Mr Noske's mother, Helen De La Perrelle, is also a passionate sailor. She joined her son and crew in the Adelaide to Port Lincoln race.
She said it could be hard to watch how far her son pushed himself on the boat at times.
"He always says, 'I'm fine'. I'm glad that he is fine, but sometimes I do worry," Ms De La Perrelle said.
