Fifteen years ago, Elizabeth Jordan, then Commodore of the Antigua Yacht Club (AYC), identified a critical gap in access to sailing education for Antiguan youth. Realizing that many young people lacked the financial means to participate in sailing through AYC, she took decisive action to make the sport more inclusive. From that vision, the National Sailing Academy (NSA) was born, a nonprofit institution dedicated to providing free access to sailing for Antiguan youth, including differently abled individuals.
Since its founding, the NSA has grown into a cornerstone of community development, using sailing not only as a sport but as a platform for education, personal development and professional training. By 2013, as the program expanded, the NSA moved to its current waterfront location. Around the same time, Bob Bailey approached the NSA with a proposal to launch the Sailability programme, designed specifically to offer sailing experiences to youth and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities, free of charge.
Today, the NSA provides weekly sailing lessons to over 280 students from 20 schools across the island, including Cobbs Cross and Liberta Primary. Sailing is offered as part of the national curriculum, giving students the chance to engage with the sea as both a recreational activity and a potential career path. All courses are taught by a team of nine Antiguan sailing instructors, all of whom are certified by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), an internationally recognized authority in sailing education.
Looking ahead, the NSA is preparing to host the Inclusive Development Programme & Regatta in 2026. This landmark event will bring instructors from across the Caribbean and beyond to learn how to establish and manage Sailability programmes in their own communities, further cementing Antigua’s leadership in inclusive maritime education.
Beyond basic instruction, the NSA also plays a vital role in career development within the maritime industry. Through partnerships with organizations such as Ondeck Antigua, the academy helps students pursue professional certifications, including STCW, Antigua Boat Master and Day Skipper. Currently, 18 adults are enrolled in such training programmes, made possible by a grant from the TK Foundation, as part of the NSA’s March–May career development cycle.
In addition, the NSA supports young adults pursuing advanced maritime technical training abroad, such as at the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) in the United States, assisting with fundraising efforts to make these opportunities accessible.
While the NSA has made remarkable progress, its sustainability remains a top priority. The school’s operations are funded solely through its commercial activities, with all revenue reinvested into educational programmes. With a current fleet capable of serving over 500 students, expansion is limited only by funding. A development plan is currently under review, aimed at enhancing the facility to accommodate greater demand and improve the school’s long-term viability. As it enters its next chapter, the National Sailing Academy remains committed to its mission: empowering Antiguan youth through sailing, and ensuring that the sea is a place of opportunity for all.
