The port of Sitges was the venue for the closing ceremony of the first edition of the IBSA Iberia Inclusive Sailing Academy on Sunday, 6th October. This initiative, launched by IBSA Iberia in collaboration with the Adapted Sailing School of Sitges, has enabled nine children and young people with various disabilities to enter the challenging world of sailing. Since May of this year, they have had the opportunity to practise this sport, recognised for its inclusivity, educational value, and sustainability.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Closing Ceremony of the 1st Edition of the IBSA Iberia Inclusive Sailing Academy
FIVE MONTHS OF INTENSE ACTIVITIES
“The aim of this course was to introduce these children, adolescents, and young people to the world of boating,” states Montse Renom, director of the Adapted Sailing School of Sitges (E.V.A). “The most beautiful aspect of this team is that we have brought together individuals who do not necessarily share the same disability. Our group includes young people with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and even multiple pathologies.”
“We have managed to form a group from scratch and teach them how to operate a sailing vessel independently. Many of our students have shared that they never imagined they would have the ability to achieve this.”
PREPARATIONS BEGIN FOR THE 2025 COURSE
Following the presentation of diplomas, the director of IBSA Iberia, Felipe Hortelano, announced that, despite the conclusion of this year's course, IBSA will continue sponsoring the club and the team next year. The goal is to keep training these young people and, who knows, perhaps one day they will have the opportunity to compete professionally.
Since May, the team from the IBSA Inclusive Sailing Academy has taken part in sailing classes and a summer camp. In these sessions, they have not only acquired technical knowledge on handling boats, but they have also learned other important skills, such as understanding winds and weather patterns, as well as developing a sense of direction.
This collaboration is part of the project Sailing into the Future. Together, through which IBSA collaborates with yacht clubs in Switzerland, Italy, France and the US supporting their inclusive sailing activities aimed at people with disabilities