The first ever Caribbean Inclusive Development Programme (IDP) championed inclusive sailing – bringing together coaches, sailors and programme leaders from across the region for a week dedicated to learning, collaboration and opportunity, at the National Sailing Academy, Antigua.
Running from 21-27 June 2026, the programme combined four days of intensive development with the inaugural Caribbean Inclusive Sailing Championship (24-27 June), sailed in RS Venture Connect boats. While the regatta provided exciting racing, the real story was the community, education and long-term legacy being built through the IDP.
Representatives from 10 countries across the Caribbean and South America came together, including Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Chile, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, the British Virgin Islands and Antigua & Barbuda. In total, 23 sailors, coaches and programme leaders spent the week sharing knowledge, developing coaching expertise and expanding opportunities for para and inclusive sailing throughout the region.
At the heart of the programme was the RS Venture Connect. Designed specifically for inclusive racing, the stable, self-righting keelboat, combined with its innovative Seated Control System (SCS), enables sailors with a wide range of physical, sensory and intellectual impairments to compete on equal terms alongside able-bodied sailors. Success comes down to tactical thinking, teamwork and sailing skill.
Leading the programme was Hannah Stodel, Para World Sailing Manager at World Sailing, who worked with coaches from across the Caribbean to build confidence, coaching capability and sustainable programmes that will continue long after the week concluded.
Reflecting on the programme, Hannah described what makes the IDP unique:
“It is more than a programme. It is more than coaching sessions, boats, briefings, workshops and long days on the water. It is a space where people come together, support each other, learn from each other and leave stronger than when they arrived.
“That is the real power of the IDP.”
The week demonstrated exactly that. Every session on the water was matched by discussions ashore, shared experiences and new friendships. Coaches learned from each other, sailors gained skills and independence, while volunteers, organisers and supporters all played an essential role in creating an environment where everyone could succeed.
“Everyone has a part to play,” Hannah said. “That support matters. It creates confidence. It creates belonging. It creates opportunity.”
The programme itself was originally created by RS Venture Connect International Class Manager Dan Jaspers with the vision of growing para sailing through education, mentorship and community. Hannah has since helped shape and expand the initiative internationally, continuing to develop opportunities for sailors and coaches alike.
Following the conclusion of the championship, she reflected on what the week had achieved:
“We brought 23 people from 10 countries together through para and inclusive sailing. That alone is something to be proud of. But what made it powerful was the spirit of the group: the community, the support, the laughter, the learning, and the constant reminder that in para sailing, the possibilities really are limitless.”
The National Sailing Academy has long been recognised as a leader in sailing development in the Caribbean, and hosting the region’s first Caribbean Inclusive Sailing Championship further reinforced its commitment to making sailing accessible to everyone.
Bob Bailey, founder of Sailability Antigua, highlighted the significance of expanding opportunities beyond recreational sailing.
“Our Sailability programme has served our community for over 11 years,” he explained. “This new programme focuses on allowing people with physical disabilities to access and participate in competitive sailing.”
His ambition is clear: to inspire more people to discover sailing, whether for independence on the water or high-performance competition, with the long-term goal of seeing Team Antigua represented at the Paralympic Games.
For RS Sailing, it was another example of how the RS Venture Connect continues to break down barriers around the world. “More than simply providing an accessible platform, the boat enables programmes like the IDP to focus on what truly matters: developing sailors, empowering coaches and building inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” said Managing Director of RS Sailing, Alex Newton-Southon.
The Caribbean Inclusive Development Programme may have culminated in championship racing, but its greatest success lies in the lasting network it has created. Stronger coaches, more confident sailors and new pathways for inclusive sailing now stretch across the Caribbean, ensuring that the impact of one remarkable week in Antigua will continue to be felt for years to come.
