Paralympic Development Program inspires Dominican Republic sailors

Disabled sailors are starting to take to the blue waters of the Dominican Republic after the most recent Paralympic Development Program (PDP) clinic provided the Federacion Dominicana de Vela with the framework to succeed.

Held at Antigua National Sailing Academy from 19 – 25 January 2019, the PDP clinic was the first of its kind in the Caribbean after Antigua Sailability and the Antiguan Sailing Federation  sustained a period of development that allowed the nation to gain knowledge on how to host a clinic.
 
Antigua’s hosting opened the doors to Caribbean nations to discover more about Para World Sailing and Federacion Dominicana de Vela Vice-President Irina Perez and coach Christophe Mosbeux attended.
 
World Sailing’s Nominated Experts held a series of technical and theoretical sessions throughout the clinic that provided the attending MNAs with examples on how they can start Para World Sailing initiatives.
 
The Dominican Republic representatives took the knowledge away and began to engage and create a program to enable disabled men and women to take to the water.
 
Sailing in La Isabela Historica to the north of the Domincan Republic, the first Para athlete took to the water last week, sailing in the Carabela boat and under the watchful eye of the trained coaches.
 
Massimo Dighe, Para World Sailing Manager, commented, “Irina and Christophe were provided with key information and case studies on how to implement Para World Sailing initiatives in their country.
 
“Through their attendance at the PDP, they quickly acted and we are delighted that they’re engaging the wider sporting and disabled community within their nation to grow the sport further.”
 
For further information on Para World Sailing or how World Sailing can support your MNA, contact – para.worldsailing@sailing.org