Escola de Vela adds two new trainer boats to fleet

foto 2021 Escola VelaThe Formentera Department of Sports reports that the municipal sailing school has expanded its arsenal of watercraft to include two new boats for the school’s sailers in training. Financing for the €6,171 boats was made possible by a deal between the Consell, Marina de Formentera and Trasmapi.

Deputy premiere Ana Juan, who has temporarily taken on duties as chair of the FDS, presented the watercraft together with Marina de Formentera manager Juanjo Costa, Trasmapi commercial director Alex Marí and Escola de Vela director Alex Figueiras.

Councillor Juan described the companies’ collaboration as “a huge help as we upgrade material and seek to build our base of nautical sports equipment” and stressed efforts within local government to promote basic sport and nautical activities.

Figueiras explained that the boats were appropriate for a wide array of aspiring sailors — “from seven year olds to grown-ups with basic sailing notions and capable of navigating solo”. The boats are equipped with three sails: a mainsail and headsail for standard navigating and a ‘gennaker’ with outrigger for when winds are favourable. According to Figueiras, the third sail is for more experienced sailors with a higher degree of control. The boats can be operated by a single adult or child, pairs or up to three sailors (either one adult and two children or two adults and one child).

The sailing school has eight single-seater Open Bics for beginner and advanced sailors ages five and up.

Escola de Vela classes
Roughly one hundred students are currently enrolled in the school’s winter classes and until the start of the summer programme, sailing and windsurf classes can be scheduled Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 11.30am, 11.30am to 1.30pm and 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Two-hour classes cost €10 and are for children and adults.

Located at the Centre d’Esports Nàutics, the municipal facility for sailing and windsurfing also accommodates two junior regatta groups and one standard regatta group, with twice weekly outings taking place on weekdays and Saturday (in the latter case outings are staggered to avoid overlap).

The Escola de Vela offers students wetsuits and life jackets for use during instruction. The strictest Covid-19 safety measures are applied at all times.

24 March 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera