The National Sailing Academy was founded by Elizabeth Jordan in 2010 and, for the first four years, operated from the Antigua Yacht Club. By February 2014, we moved, and become operational, at our new Headquarters in Dockyard Drive, English Harbour. It was necessary to have our own premises so that we could aim at becoming more financially sustainable, over a period of time – rather than remain totally reliant on charitable donations. The Academy is funded by donations from individuals, groups and businesses, both in Antigua and overseas as well as creating revenue from our various activities both on & off the water.
By 2017, the rental accommodation was upgraded in The Lodge and the school started to benefit by the income from short term lettings. There is also a scuba-diving school onsite, ‘DiveCarib’ as well as a restaurant ‘Island Fusion’.
There is capacity for over 150 children and adults including differently-abled a week to learn to sail for FREE.
We have installed 200ft of floating dock for our own boats and also offer reasonably priced long term dockage to boats with a draft up to 6ft. We have also installed a concrete slipway to a depth of 4ft and can offer haul & launch facilities for power boats and ribs. Sailing lessons and dinghy hire as well as kayaks and paddle boards are available for hire.
The Academy has 3 racing Keelboats – Cork 1720’s – and these are available for hire as well and for racing charters. In Antigua Sailing Week 2019 one of our 1720’s gained 1st place for the week overall with a team of Academy youth sailors.
In July 2014 we gained accreditation as an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) dinghy sailing centre, and began to offer their certified courses which are recognized worldwide.
In addition to the watersport activities we hold various social events, such as our very successful seated concerts, and welcome enquiries for the hire of the venue for parties, weddings etc. Our one acre of gardens and ample parking make this the ideal site for a range of events.
All of the above are undertaken with the aim of not only paying our overheads of rent and wages etc. but to make enough profit, over time, to fund the free programmes for the swimming and sailing lessons for Antiguan schoolchildren as well as the ‘Sailability’ programme for the disabled children and adults of Antigua.
Donors making standard contributions will be added to our roll of ‘Friends of the Academy’ and those making larger donations will be listed as ‘Sponsors’ of the Academy’ both onsite and on our website.
We publish a periodic Newsletter informing of our progress as well as regular updates to our website and via social media. Meanwhile we will be delighted to answer any questions about the Academy and also welcome visitors to our location in English Harbour.