Craig Symonette’s dream: develop sailing in Eleuthera.
Craig wanted children in Eleuthera to learn to sail and share the freedom of the sea. Martin, Carlien and a growing community brought that dream to life, from first lessons to international racing. We are building a team that can carry it forward.
A lifelong sailor, Craig brings a deep connection to the island and its people. His father, Sir Roland, came from Current in North Eleuthera; his own community work included chairing One Eleuthera Foundation from 2012 to 2015.
MARTIN MANRIQUE
International sailing coach.
Martin won the Cadet World Championship in 1999 and later represented Argentina in the Optimist class. Coaching since 2007, he has worked in more than twenty countries with national teams, racing clinics and community sailing programmes.
His coaching résumé includes sailors who later reached the highest levels of the sport, among them Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Mateo Majdalani and 2023 ILCA 6 Youth World Champion Roos Wind. At ESA, he brings that international experience to young sailors taking their first steps and those preparing to race abroad.
A Dutch anthropologist, traveller and watersports enthusiast, Carlien brings a fascination with people, cultures and the natural world. Sailing was a way of life before Eleuthera became home.
At ESA, that spirit helps shape a community where different backgrounds and experiences are welcomed, and learning reaches beyond the boat.
HOW MAKE THEM SAILORS BEGAN
A child asked for the chance to sail.
While sailing through the Caribbean, Martin and Carlien met Juan Pablo, an eleven-year-old fisherman in Colombia who wanted to sail. They turned an old dinghy and salvaged materials into a makeshift Optimist.
That encounter helped turn a story into a mission: give more children access to boats, skills and opportunity. They co-founded Make Them Sailors, connecting support with community sailing programmes.
Visit Make Them Sailors