SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY) - The Sint Maarten Yacht Club (SMYC) is proud to celebrate the successful completion of the third year of its Sailability Program, a sailing initiative that has been transforming lives since its launch in August 2023.
Made possible through funding from the Resources for Community Resilience (R4CR) program, the specially adapted sailboat has enabled individuals with disabilities to experience the freedom, confidence, and joy of sailing in a safe and supportive environment.
In partnership with the White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation, the program currently provides sailing classes twice a week for six day activity clients. In addition, once every month, SMYC hosts Sailability sessions for the Foundation’s Sensory Group. These participants, many of whom have more severe disabilities and are often non-verbal, are given the unique opportunity to experience sailing and connect with nature in a calm and inclusive setting.
The impact of the program continues to exceed expectations. In its recent evaluation, the White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation described the sailing project as “highly successful” and one of the most anticipated activities among its clients. Participants consistently express excitement before each session, enjoy learning new sailing skills, and benefit from increased confidence, independence, teamwork, and social interaction. Staff also observed that members of the Sensory Group greatly enjoy the calming effects of being on the water and actively engage throughout the sessions.
The overwhelmingly positive feedback has reinforced the value of the partnership. The White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation has confirmed its commitment to continue participating in the Sailability Program during the upcoming 2026–2027 sailing season, ensuring that clients can continue enjoying this unique opportunity.
One of the goals of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club is to ensure that the Sailability students are fully included in the club’s sailing community. Every year, the students participate in the SMYC End of Year Ceremony alongside the students from the Primary School Program and the After School Sailing Program, where they proudly receive a Certificate of Competence in recognition of the skills they have developed throughout the season.
Since 2024, the Sailability students have also been part of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta experience. During the event, they sail their own timed mini-regatta, giving them the opportunity to show their skills. They also join the official St. Maarten Heineken Regatta spectator trip, allowing them to experience the excitement of the racing up close and feel part of it.
“It all started with a dream in 2022: to create a sailing opportunity for people with disabilities on Sint Maarten and make our sport accessible to everyone,” said Saskia Revelman, Manager of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. “It is incredibly rewarding to see that dream become a reality and to have been able to run the program successfully and consistently over the past three years. Seeing participants grow in confidence, develop new skills, and simply enjoy being on the water reminds us why inclusion in sailing is so important. We are grateful for the continued trust and partnership of the White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation and look forward to welcoming everyone back for another fantastic season.”
The Sint Maarten Yacht Club remains committed to making sailing accessible to everyone and believes that the water should be a place where people of all abilities can learn, grow, and create lasting memories.
