St. Maarten Yacht Club (SMYC)

The SMYC is motivated to make the sport of sailing possible and approachable for all citizens of St. Maarten. This includes vulnerable groups; people with a disability of any kind.

In the sailing world, sailing has been made possible for this target group, under the term “Sailability”.

The goal of SMYC is to bring this concept to St. Maarten and create the opportunity for the target group to be included in the sport of sailing.

The most common boats that are used for “Sailability” programs are RS Venture Connect.

This is a self-righting keelboat, especially designed for sailing with people with a disability.

SMYC will purchase a RS Venture Connect boat and collaborate with the Sister Basilia Center to offer their clients sailing lessons. This will open a new world for this vulnerable group.

Important milestones in this project are:

• Securing the boat RS Venture Connect
• Educating instructors / setting up program
• Sustainability through corporate sponsorship offerings.

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