FUNDING THE PLAN
Government partnership
Sailing is our national sport. Government partnership helps children take part — from their first lesson to racing for The Bahamas.
We thank the Regatta Desk for its continuing support, the Ministry of Youth and Sports for supporting summer camps, and the government partners who helped us acquire and run Sugar Loaf. Support for regattas, camps and junior sailing gives children a place in the national sport. ESA helps turn that support into regular lessons and training on Eleuthera.
ONE SPORT · A LIFETIME OF OPPORTUNITY
It starts with a first sail.
Partnership that makes donor funding go further
- Duty-free exemption on the van, boats and parts. Lower import costs put more donor funding into transport, reliable equipment and sailing for children.
- Work-permit fee relief for coaches. Lower coaching costs preserve donor funding for youth programmes and the training of Bahamian instructors.
- Crown land lease for Savannah Sound. A secure permanent base reduces rental costs and directs more donor funding into teaching, boat care and local jobs.
Train instructors for more schools
Our first course ran from March to June 2026. Participants progressed from no sailing experience to teaching beginner sailing in three months. We will repeat the course and welcome participants from other sailing schools and islands, so the training can support programmes beyond ESA.
We want to work with government and sailing organisations to connect schools with instructor training and practical coaching support. More qualified local instructors means more children can sail regularly.
Support the national racing pathway
Children who start in local programmes can progress to national regattas and, when selected, the Bahamas national race team. ESA contributes coaching, clinics and preparation to that pathway, alongside the wider Bahamian sailing community.
We want government partnership to help young sailors reach training and competitions, while keeping first lessons and school sailing accessible. Sugar Loaf links that same pathway to traditional sloop racing and our regatta heritage.