Yachting Malta Brings the Joy of Sailing to Special Olympics Athletes
Yachting Malta played an active role at the inaugural Malta Beach Games, hosted by Special Olympics Malta in Birzebbuga, by offering sailing taster sessions on the Hansa 303—a World Sailing-recognised class sailed in over 28 countries and designed to accommodate sailors of all abilities.
Introduced to Malta in 2022 through an initiative by Yachting Malta, in collaboration with the Malta Sailing Federation and local sailing clubs, the Hansa 303 is a versatile boat that can be steered using a joystick and is suitable for both solo and double-handed sailing. As part of the initiative, each local sailing club received a boat, supporting efforts to enhance inclusivity within the local sailing community.
During Saturday’s event, around 30 Special Olympics Malta athletes had the opportunity to experience sailing for the first time, taking turns aboard four Hansa 303 boats. The sessions were led by Joseph Muscat, Projects and Initiatives Executive at Yachting Malta and Inclusivity Officer at the Malta Sailing Federation, with additional support provided by dedicated volunteers from local sailing clubs. To ensure safety on the water, Birżebbuġa Sailing Club deployed two RIBs throughout the activity.
Yachting Malta remains committed to championing inclusive sailing through close collaboration with the Federation and local clubs, continually working to expand access and empower individuals of all abilities to enjoy the sport.
Leave a Comment