A Winter Sailing opportunity that turned into so much more

When the lakes in Sweden are frozen over and the days are short and cold, the idea of a sailing training camp in the sun is more than just appealing – it’s essential for maintaining skills, motivation, and a sense of community.

In late 2024, my partner Eva and I learned through our coaches at Skota Hem that the Norwegian Sailing Association was planning to ship four RS Venture Connect boats to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. The goal was to create an inclusive training environment, offering sailors the chance to build their skills or learn to sail the RS Venture under professional guidance. The training would run across four separate weeks starting in February 2025.

We didn’t hesitate to register.

After a few email exchanges with the project manager in Norway, we secured our flights and accommodation for the first training week in February. It gave us something to look forward to – a warm, active escape from the dark, icy grip of Swedish winter.

But just three days before our departure, we received the disappointing news that due to bad weather, the boats could not be shipped as planned. With our travel already booked, we were left with a big question: what now?

Well – sitting still has never been our style.

Eva and I are passionate Hansa 303 sailors, and we’ve seen sailors from Gran Canaria at various European regattas. So, I started reaching out – relentlessly – to Real Club Nautico de Gran Canaria, the co-organiser of the original Norwegian training. Despite my limited Spanish and with a lot of persistence, I eventually got in touch with Gregorio at the club. He offered us the chance to rent two Hansa 303s and to train alongside local sailors, with coaching support from Pablo.

And what a week it turned out to be. We trained for two days with other local Hansa 303 sailors and their coach, then continued to train independently. On our final day, we even linked up with a Norwegian sailor and coach who had just arrived – a perfect example of the connections that sailing fosters.

Having this kind of training opportunity isn’t just about escaping the cold. It’s about staying race-ready, sharing learning with others, and building bonds that cross borders. Being able to train together as a group, even informally, reinforces the sense of community that Para Inclusive Sailing thrives on – one built on mutual support, passion, and adaptability.

Huge thanks to everyone who helped make our week on the water possible despite the logistical setbacks.

Text and images courtesy of Peter Idar