Eleuthera Sailing Academy
We believe that all young people have the ability to become captains of their own lives and that the challenges of Sailing and Watersports promote healthy life values and a connection with nature, building essential personal skills.
We give the children of The Bahamas the opportunity to grow on the water and learn how to master the elements and themselves.
The ESA was founded by Bahamian Craig Symonette and the Director of Sailing is Martin Martinque, himself a sailing world champion at the age of 12. Under his tutorage, islander Finley McKinney-Lambert achieved the best ever finish for a Bahamian at an Optimist World Championship, 35th overall (out of 248 sailors) in 2023.
Exuma Sailing Club
The Exuma Sailing Club began in 2013. Since then the fleet of boats has grown, young sailors have come and gone through the program, and instructors have lent their time and sweat to making sure the club continued to succeed. What hasn’t changed is the club's original and continuing goal:
To train the young people of Exuma in the discipline of sailing, and develop teamwork and good sportsmanship through consistent practices and participation in Regattas throughout The Bahamas.
Grand Bahama Sailing Club
In 2006 a small group of local business people and keen sailors approached Sir Jack Hayward with the idea of resurrecting the Sir Charles Hayward Yacht Club - in the late 80’s many of the expatriate members left the island and it had ceased operating as a club.
When Joe Thompson, Chris Paine and Sarah Rolle approached Sir Jack in 2006 with the idea of starting a children’s sailing club, he embraced the idea with great enthusiasm. A lease was granted by the Grand Bahama Development Company and the Grand Bahama Sailing Club Ltd was incorporated on 12th June 2008.
The Club remains a nonprofit organization relying on memberships, funds raisers, social events, and donations for support.
Harbour Island Sailing Club
A non-profit Junior Sailing Club on Harbour Island, Bahamas. Our goal is to teach our kids the art of sailing, teamwork, self-discipline and fun at sea.
The head coach is Mr. Melvin Higgins and his son is Joshua Higgins, currently on a campaign to represent The Bahamas at the 2028 Olympic Games.
Hope Town Junior Sailing
Text coming soon
Lyford Cay Sailing
Lyford Cay Sailing is an exclusive members-only sailing club, located on the western end of New Providence, that includes an Elite Development Sports programme in partnership with Lyford Cay International School. The school programme provides instruction in a variety of single-handed and double-handed boats including Optimist, Sunfish, ILCA and RS Quests.
In August 2024, Lyford Cay Sailing recruited Niels Broekhuizen, a multi-time ILCA national champion, originally from the Netherlands, to champion the elite performance of junior sailors in The Bahamas. Niels is the ILCA Bahamas National Coach and under his mentorship, 17 year old Eliza Denning became the first Bahamian to win a gold medal in the sport of sailing in the modern era.
Mack Knowles Junior Sailing Club
The Mack Knowles Junior Sailing Club is a non-profit organization that teaches sailing to the youth in the Long Island Community.
Named in honor of the late boat builder and devoted supporter Mack Knowles, was founded in 2005 by Zoe Cartwright and Stefan Knowles. Although the club faced challenges that led to its temporary closure in 2016, it made a triumphant return in 2022 under the leadership of President Dian Knowles and Vice President Sandra Cooke. Mack Knowles' legacy continues to inspire the young sailors of Long Island, and they continue to strive for excellence!
Islander Drake Knowles is the 2025 Optimist Bahamas National Champion and also represented The Bahamas at the 2024 Sunfish Worlds, along with his older brother Dawson Knowles and 3 other sailors from Exuma Sailing Club.
Motto - “Believe It, Achieve It”