The adventure that began last June between IBSA Italy and FIV’s Para Sailing Academy (a disabled sailing school) aims to promote, through sailing, social inclusion in order to create opportunities regardless of physical ability.
To achieve this goal, the company donated a number of boats designed specifically for this discipline – the Hansa 303s, which ensure safe and accessible sailing for people with physical and mental disabilities – thus emphasising inclusion as a central pillar of sailing practice. Among the most important projects worth mentioning is also the donation of two Hansa 303s to the historic Italian nautical club Punta Ala Yacht Club, which has been committed to promoting inclusive sailing for years.
This collaboration with the Para Sailing Academy aims to also build a network of highly qualified technicians and managers, to support the development of sporting activities and facilitate introduction to sports. Born from a collaboration between FIV, CONI, the Italian Paralympic Committee and World Sailing, the project includes “training tours” at various Italian clubs aimed at training sailing coaches and instructors and promoting a specific culture and an adequate preparation to open the doors of sailing to an ever-increasing number of people with motor or visual disabilities.
Furthermore, since November the Para Sailing Academy has been an integral part of the IDP (Inclusive Development Programme), a project whose objective is the training of athletes and coaches and the promotion of disabled sailing on an international scale.
On another front, the stage of the Youth Sailing World Championships – which saw under-19 athletes and sailors from 70 nations gather on Lake Garda – has just concluded. The event was an opportunity to involve other Italian nautical clubs, in addition to those already participating, and further expand this inclusive practice at local level.
This project shows how the company is creating opportunities for athletes of all skills and abilities to participate and compete together, by sending a simple message: sport can break down barriers and unite people, for a more open and inclusive society for everyone.
