St Maarten Yacht Club-Kidz At Sea (SMYC-KAS)

As a local sailing school, one of SMYC’s main challenges is the recruitment and retainment of qualified instructors. Up to now most instructors were recruited from the Netherlands due to lack of qualified staff on the island. The recruits would typically leave after one year. The costs that come along with hiring personnel from abroad, and the high personnel turnover, are threatening the growth and sustainability of the sailing programs.

By combining forces SMYC and KAS aim to recruit and train young adults residing on the island as sailing instructors and offer them a part-time/full time job opportunity.

The grant will be used to pay for the training materials, trainers and securing the various internationally recognized certifications.

6 young adults will have the opportunity to become sailing instructors. SMYC will benefit as      they will create a pool of locally based sailing instructors that can be deployed quickly and help meet the increasing demand for sailing programs.

‍