Sailing Plus - A New Methodology Approach of Sailing for Senior Adults

In 2015, Seawoman started a social project for senior adults (aged 55+) that incorporated a physical training program, a cognitive stimulation program and a sailing training program. 350 participants benefited from this project, which was developed in association with the Portuguese Institute for Youth and Sport, as part of the National Sport for All Program. Over the last 6 years, the Sailing Plus project has developed a working methodology that has given the possibility for a growing number of older adults to start sailing and simultaneously develop daily physical activity routines that promote a healthier and more active life. This project covered a diverse range of participants with fewer opportunities, and a significant percentage of those participants were women (70%). The practice of sailing, associated with physical training and cognitive stimulation programs, produced very interesting results beyond the involvement of people in the project, particularly in terms of their self- esteem and the maintenance of practices associated with a healthy life. In this post-pandemic era, this approach seems to become even more relevant, as it combats social isolation. This is the time to extend this project geographically and find a way to develop a network of organizations that, in different countries, can implement the Sailing Plus methodology, developing new experiences and creating the possibility of having people from different countries and cultures sailing together. This project is designed to promote interaction between organizations linked to sailing and the sea in the cities of Lisbon and Pisa, namely through the organizations Seawoman (Portugal) and Second Star Sailing (Italy). The project involves several stakeholders entities, namely the Portuguese Sailing Federation, the Port of Lisbon, the Port of Pisa and the Italian Union of Sport for All.