Natasha’s Story

Natasha Lambert is an experienced, award-winning sailor. She has solo sailed around the Isle of Wight, crossed the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean. Alongside her family, they have raised fantastic amounts of money for charity and are currently preparing for their next adventure.

She also has athetoid cerebral palsy which affects her muscle control and speech. After experiencing sailing as a child at Calvert Lakes and joining her local sailing club, Natasha’s dad, Gary, developed a pioneering sip-and-puff system so that Natasha could skipper her own vessel. Natasha sails with her sister, Rachel, and together they call themselves the Sailing Sisters.

Their latest adventure aims to raise £30,000 for three charities close to their hearts – the RNLI, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and the Lake District Calvert Trust.

As they cross to Gran Canaria to begin preparations for the Atlantic crossing, Natasha took a few moments to answer some of our questions.

Natasha on her catamaran using her sip-and-puff skippering system with water behind

Natasha in her wheelchair and sister Rachel in front of their catamaran, Blown Away

Old photo of Natasha Lambert in a canoe surrounded by her family and instructors

Old photo of Natasha Lambert on her mothers lap in a catamaran on Windermere with Calvert Lakes surrounded by her family and instructors

Q: Tell us about your first visit to Calvert.

It was immensely fun to be taking part in activities alongside my family and friends as opposed to watching or separately.

I tried all sorts from abseiling to rock climbing to archery but the one that stood out was sailing, I loved the feeling of being on the water and being able to use the wind, but I was desperate to have more control myself!

Q: Who did you visit Calvert Lakes with?

Family and friends

Q: Can you tell us about your favourite memory or achievement at Calvert Lakes?

Making new friends and discovering my love for sailing!

Q: In your opinion, what makes Calvert different from other places?

Everyone is equal.

Q: Describe Calvert in 5 words or less

Beginning, discovery, opportunities

Q: Calvert is ...

A place full of fun and opportunity.

Q: One thing everyone should try at Calvert is ...

Everything! You never know what might stick!

Q: The best thing about Calvert is ...

The attitude! Nothing is impossible it just requires a bit more thought.

Q: Because of Calvert, we can ...

Be involved and learn about ourselves.

Q: A word that sums up Calvert for me is ...

Discovery

Rachel standing, Natasha in her chair and Gary standing beside on their catamaran with sea behind

Old photo of Natasha Lambert on her mothers lap in a kayak at Calvert Lakes surrounded by her family and instructors

Blown Away moored in the sea, the Sailing Sister's catamaran

Natasha’s Documentary

Below is a documentary about the Sailing Sister’s 2020 Atlantic crossing. Although their crossing was marred by COVID restrictions during the global pandemic, this video shows the power of determination, grit and passion and is well worth a watch.