Turning courses - introductory sailing for disadvantaged peopleTogether we can achieve the turning point
Every year we organize four TURNING COURSES in cooperation with sailing clubs. The courses are ideal for clubs that already have some experience with inclusive sailing activities and now want to take the next step. The board and the member of the club want to integrate disadvantaged people into club life more intensively and systematically - both athletically and socially. Infrastructure, club boats and interested and committed (youth) coaches are available as a basis.
The TURNING COURSE is planned months in advance by a team of club members and TURNING POINT experts. Attracting participants, logistical processes, catering but above all the planning of ongoing sailing and club offers for interested participants of the TURNING COURSE - a large number of topics have to be discussed in advance so that the TURNING COURSE succeeds.
Shortly before the TURNING COURSE, an onboarding for club members takes place, in which the daily routine for the following days is played through and further knowledge knowledge is passed on from the TURNING POINT team to club. Then follow three intensive days of sailing activities. On each of the four TURNING POINT boats (type SONAR), two experienced trainers ensure a safe and joyful sailing experience at all times for four disadvantaged people who are sailing for the first time in their lives. There are new participants every day, i.e. around 50 participants over 3 days.
And at the end of each day, beaming faces of mostly all participants. The desire to continue sailing in the club is usually enormous. Club members and trainers established initial contacts with the enthusiastic sailing beginners and their supervisors on that day. The concrete, regular offers, when and how sailing and life in the club will continue will be discussed. The first step towards sustainable turning points – for participants as well as for the club – was successful.
Take part: Everybody countsShare successes, experience challenges
The introductory sailing courses offer disadvantaged people, especially children and young people, the opportunity to experience sailing for a day under expert guidance in a club near their home. Safety and fun are the top priorities. Every participant - regardless of their disability - learns how to steer the boat and operate the sails. All participants with and without disabilities sail together, share successes, solve challenges and experience that they are all in the same boat. This means active participation and leads to experience-based turning points in life.
The commitment of the sailing clubs is crucial
Our TURNING COURSES have up to now regularly generated a great deal of interest among participants in wanting to continue sailing at the club. It is therefore crucial that specific further sailing training is defined and offered by the club at the end of each sailing day. Any related questions must be clarified with participants as well as carers or legal guardians. Ideally, there should also be mentors in the club (e.g. older members) who take the disadvantaged sailing beginners by the hand in the first weeks and months. The commitment of the club is therefore crucial to ensure that the first turning point towards more courage and self-confidence continues in club life. That's why we at TURNING POINT are focussing a lot of our preparations on the club's plans to ensure that the first steps towards inclusion in the TURNING COURSE are subsequently sustainable. TURNING POINT continues to provide advice and financial support, but the plan and implementation must come from the club where the TURNING COURSE takes place. The TURNING COURSES are free of charge for both participants and sailing clubs.
Current dates
Since 2022, we have already organised TURNING COURSES in eleven sailing clubs at various locations in Germany. Together with the clubs, we have been able to introduce more than 400 mostly disadvantaged children and young people to sailing and enable the first turning points towards more courage and self-confidence.
The planning for the TURNING COURSES 2025 is currently underway and dates and locations will be announced here.
23. - 25. May 2025Turning course at the Schweriner Segler-Verein von 1894 e.V.
13. - 15. June 2025WENDEKURS beim Münchner Yacht-Club e.V.
1. - 3. August 2025Turning Course at Lake Cospuden near Leipzig
Would your club like to organise a TURNING COURSE?
We offer four TURNING COURSES per year. Apply for a TURNING COURSE with your club to take the next step towards more inclusion through sailing with us.
The TURNING POINT team will be happy to answer your questions at any time.
Do you have a physical, mental or social disadvantage or do you look after children or young people? And you are interested in sailing?
Contact us and we will put you in touch with sailing clubs that have already carried out TURNING COURSES or TURNING STARTERS with us and have a sailing offer ready for your needs.
Turning courses - introductory sailing for disadvantaged peopleTogether we can achieve the turning point
Every year we organize four TURNING COURSES in cooperation with sailing clubs. The courses are ideal for clubs that already have some experience with inclusive sailing activities and now want to take the next step. The board and the member of the club want to integrate disadvantaged people into club life more intensively and systematically - both athletically and socially. Infrastructure, club boats and interested and committed (youth) coaches are available as a basis.
The TURNING COURSE is planned months in advance by a team of club members and TURNING POINT experts. Attracting participants, logistical processes, catering but above all the planning of ongoing sailing and club offers for interested participants of the TURNING COURSE - a large number of topics have to be discussed in advance so that the TURNING COURSE succeeds.
Shortly before the TURNING COURSE, an onboarding for club members takes place, in which the daily routine for the following days is played through and further knowledge knowledge is passed on from the TURNING POINT team to club. Then follow three intensive days of sailing activities. On each of the four TURNING POINT boats (type SONAR), two experienced trainers ensure a safe and joyful sailing experience at all times for four disadvantaged people who are sailing for the first time in their lives. There are new participants every day, i.e. around 50 participants over 3 days.
And at the end of each day, beaming faces of mostly all participants. The desire to continue sailing in the club is usually enormous. Club members and trainers established initial contacts with the enthusiastic sailing beginners and their supervisors on that day. The concrete, regular offers, when and how sailing and life in the club will continue will be discussed. The first step towards sustainable turning points – for participants as well as for the club – was successful.